The SME in the US has appointed its new Industry Manager of additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
This freshly-created role has been given to Kevin Ayers, who has 30 years' experience in the FBI's manufacturing lab. Ayers is a well-established character in international 3D printing, having been an active member and volunteer leader with SME's Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing Community, as well as SME's RAPID event.
In his new position, Ayers will develop and manage all SME activities relating to additive manufacturing, drawing on his vast experience and connections within this maturing marketplace. He will also serve on the America Makes Governance Board and will continue to be an active member of the Additive Manufacturing Users' Group (AMUG).
SME Managing Director of Industry Strategy and Events Debbie Holton said: "Around the world, additive manufacturing is changing the way companies design and manufacture products. With the addition of Kevin to SME, we'll be able to even better serve the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and will be able to identify even more opportunities where SME can lend its expertise and resources."
SME's annual RAPID event - which is set to take place from June 9th-12th in 2014 - has been an authority on 3D printing for nearly 25 years. The outing was developed by SME members who wanted to attend a yearly conference where they could learn and share additive manufacturing knowhow and best practice and buy and sell equipment and services. These members then built a community of like-minded professionals with whom they have grown their skills, build their network and developed their business.
