The Role of Women in Sectors Using 3D Printing

In honor of International Women’s Day, once again we wanted to put women in the spotlight! Today, more and more women are mastering 3D technologies, but above all they are using them in their daily activities, in all sectors. This year, we wanted to come back to some of the key markets using additive manufacturing and show you some of the different projects in which women have greatly contributed. Aerospace, automotive, medical, design, education: discover the role that these women have played in these industries, often driven by their passion for new technologies.

Aerospace

Lucía Bayona, Air Systems and R&D Engineer at Airbus

One of the world’s largest aerospace companies is Airbus, which is dedicated to the design, manufacture and sale of airplanes and aircraft. Moreover, as we know, the company has been using additive manufacturing for several years now. In Spain, one of the leading women in this field is Lucía Bayona, who works as both a systems engineer and in R&D in the field of metal additive manufacturing at Airbus. After graduating the Industrial Engineering program with a major in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Lucía started her journey into the world of 3D printing through HiETA Technologies, in London. There, she acquired the knowledge and experience of the technology that she is currently developing at Airbus. Both her activity within Airbus and her participation in additive manufacturing projects in aeronautics have allowed her to be recognized as one of the great women in the manufacturing industry.

Photo Credits: Airbus

Dr. Melissa Orme, Vice President of Boeing Additive Manufacturing

Dr. Melissa Orme has been a mainstay in both the additive manufacturing and aerospace industries for a number of years now. In 2019, she joined Boeing as Vice President of Additive Manufacturing where she has been responsible for the growth and scaling of additive manufacturing capabilities of the aerospace giant including overseeing the increase in 3D printed end-use parts. In 2022, Dr. Orme was key in the opening of the new Center of Additive Manufacturing Excellence (CoAME) in Auburn, Washington. Technically in business since 2020, the inauguration of the CoAME was only able to take place in November 2022 due to restrictions related to the pandemic. The center will be responsible for the design and manufacturing of tools and parts for commercial aircraft, helicopters, spacecraft, and satellites using AM.