Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) is creating value from the shop floor to the customer’s hands. However, the technology can be daunting: high capital costs, unfamiliar process terminology, and an ocean of vendors with no clear way to choose.

In this webinar series, join additive manufacturing experts from MIT and MassMEP to demystify additive manufacturing for the average small business. Building upon decades of real-world experience, you’ll learn straightforward and practical strategies for making the most of this exciting and emerging technology. Topics range from basic overviews of additive use cases to more detailed conversations on EH&S, equipment sourcing, and software. Participants will leave each webinar with clear ideas that can be put to use immediately.

This webinar series is co-hosted by MassMEP and MIT’s Center for Advanced Production Technologies (APT).

Sessions and Topics

• Getting Started: Turning Your Additive Interest into an Action Plan
• Application Engineering, Part One: Material and Process Selection
• Application Engineering, Part Two: Money Talks – Building a Business Case
• Optimizing Your Equipment Selection & Sourcing Strategies for AM Hardware
• Managing AM Installations: Process Chain and EH&S
• Regional Resources: Staying up to date with AM in New England

Getting Started: Turning Your Additive Interest into an Action Plan

Optimizing Your Equipment Selection & Sourcing Strategies for AM Hardware

August 20th, 11 AM – 12 PM

In the fourth session, we will discuss tips, tricks, and best practices for selecting AM tools for purchase. Selecting the right additive manufacturing equipment can be very complex in a rapidly evolving and saturated market. When different hardware looks the same on paper, but the reality can be very different, how do you know what to buy? And how can you get the best deal on equipment that may cost as much as $100,000 or more? Participants will gain an understanding on how to compare technologies, evaluate supplier ecosystems, and aligning purchase decisions with operational goals and long-term scalability.

Speakers:

Haden Quinlan; Senior Program Manager, MIT APT

Haden leads MIT’s Center for Advanced Production Technologies. He has co-led MIT’s additive manufacturing training efforts since 2018, helping co-author MIT’s Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production online course. Haden has developed and taught custom AM training courses for major stakeholders, including Boeing, DoD/DoW, Ford Motor Company, and more. 

Mandana Moshiri, PhD; Senior Research Scientist, MIT APT

Mandana “Mandy” Moshiri is a Senior Research Scientist with the Center for Advanced Production Technologies and Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT. From 2019 to 2025, Mandy led metal additive research and development in the LEGO Group with a focus on mold technology. Mandy received her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (“DTU”) in 2020, and post-graduation she has supported DTU’s metal additive research as a guest researcher. Mandy joined MIT in 2025.

NOTE – Registration is for all Three (3) sessions.

Session 4 – August 20, 2026
Session 5 – October 21, 2026
Session 6 – November 19, 2026

Register Here