On this episode, Krishnan Veluswamy, Ph.D., joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming Demo Day at Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF). Krishnan is an Assistant Professor, Mechanical, Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering Department and Affiliated with Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
This upcoming event on Wednesday, March 25th, will provide an opportunity to see the facility in operation through live machinery demonstrations and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies led by the facility's undergraduate and graduate student researchers and staff.
On this episode, we’re looking at a project that could say a lot about where advanced manufacturing is headed next. America Makes has awarded UDRI $450,000 for its AACAMS (Affordable and Agile Composite Additive Manufactured Structures) project, focused on pushing forward the integration of additive manufacturing and advanced composites for aerospace and defense.
The DOD has prioritized continuous fiber additive manufacturing (CFAM) for its ability to produce strong, lightweight parts by reinforcing polymers with continuous carbon or glass fibers for high-performance applications.
Steven Floyd and Clark Patterson join the show to discuss the details of the project.
You can learn more by visiting https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=gGWnnqHHCUCj4FsTAqdg5koHgAfVuEJJoOmkPSbaEpVUREhPRlVXSEhKTE5ZNk9VMzJPQkdOS05TVC4u.
On this latest episode, Lisa Anderson, President of LMA Consulting Group joins the podcast. Lisa is one of the most respected voices in manufacturing strategy, supply chain transformation, and SIOP. She’s the author of a recently released book titled AI & Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing, where she explores how manufacturers are using AI and advanced analytics to drive real, measurable results—from demand forecasting to optimized production planning.
She'll be sharing how AI is actually improving manufacturing supply chains, where companies are seeing real value versus hype, and what leaders need to get right to turn technology into predictable performance.
You can learn more about her company at https://www.lma-consultinggroup.com.
On this episode, Marty Johnson, VP of Product and Technical Fellow at 3D Systems, joins the show to take a clear-eyed look at additive manufacturing materials—what they can do, what they can’t, and what engineers should realistically expect when composites and filled materials enter the 3D-printing conversation.
Marty brings a mechanical engineering first perspective to additive manufacturing—cutting through marketing claims to focus on real data, long-term performance, and where printed composite materials truly make sense in aerospace, automotive, tooling, and beyond.
As a company, 3D Systems delivers industry-leading 3D printing technologies, materials and software to high-value markets such as medical and dental, aerospace, space & defense, transportation & motorsports, AI infrastructure, and durable goods.
You can learn more about them by visiting https://www.3dsystems.com.
On this episode, Daniel Murphy, founder of Alcove Media, joins the podcast. His company helps companies turn trade shows from expensive branding exercises into measurable revenue engines. Daniel works closely with technology companies that invest heavily in expos but struggle to connect booth traffic to real sales outcomes.
In this conversation, we break down why most trade shows fail to deliver ROI, how a lack of strategy quietly bleeds marketing budgets, and what it takes to generate qualified leads, engagement, and follow-through that converts.
If your company spends serious money on trade shows, and expects more than vague “exposure,” this episode is one you’ll want to take notes on.
You can learn more by visiting https://tradeshowsecrets.com.
On this episode, Dr. Michael Murdoch joins the podcast to discuss how visual cues can act as diagnostics for material performance, and how engineers can preview color, gloss, translucency, surface texture, and material mixtures long before a physical prototype exists.
He is the head of the Integrated Sciences Academy at the Munsell Color Science Lab at Rochester Institute of Technology. His work focuses on how material appearance—things like color, gloss, translucency, and surface texture—can be digitally simulated, measured, and used as meaningful data long before a physical part ever exists.
With an early career as a chemical engineer at Eastman Kodak, working hands-on with thermoplastics and injection-molded components, Dr. Murdoch brings a rare blend of manufacturing experience and advanced research insight.
The Munsell Color Science Laboratory and the Program of Color Science unite to form one of the world‘s foremost color science research and education organizations. Their mission is to provide world-class education, research, and outreach in all areas of color science. You can learn more at https://www.rit.edu/science/munsell-color-lab.
On this episode, Ryan Condron joins the podcast to discuss his vision for moving cargo containers across vast distances with zero emissions. Ryan is the CEO of Float, a company working to build the next generation of aerial freight systems—fusing hydrogen-powered carbon fiber blimps with quadcopter agility to move cargo containers across vast distances with zero emissions.
You can learn more at https://floatair.com.
On this episode, Dr Robert Brüll, founder and CEO of FibreCoat joins the show to discuss their strategic partnership with Lofith Composites to develop next-generation thermoplastic composites for space.
This partnership joins FibreCoat’s expertise in fibre coatings with Lofith’s thermoplastic tape and composite manufacturing. Together, the companies will integrate FibreCoat’s coated fibres into Lofith’s recyclable, high-performance composites to produce lightweight structural materials designed to meet the extreme demands of space.
The first orbital demonstration of the joint material is planned for 2026, when a satellite will carry test panels into orbit for 12 months.
On this episode, Michael Campbell, president of ACD Consulting, a division of Coltala Aerospace, joins the podcast. Michael works closely with aerospace and defense programs across the U.S., helping organizations navigate workforce constraints through smarter engineering deployment, embedded expertise, partnerships, and technology adoption.
You can learn more by visiting https://www.acdc.aer.
On this episode, Roy Silvas, Business Development Director at Enduro Composites joins the podcast. We'll discuss where composites fit in the rapidly expanding data-center ecosystem, what adoption barriers still exist, and how the next generation of facilities could benefit from smarter material choices.
You can also read Roy's recent article at https://www.cablinginstall.com/data-center/article/55313169/integrating-composites-into-data-center-design.
On this episode, Rob Glenn of Forza joins the show. In business since 1979, Forza is a family-owned adhesive, sealant & specialty tape manufacturer based in the US. They supply the global industry with superior, high-performing, customized products.
You can learn more by visiting https://forzabuilt.com.
On this episode, Brittany Greer, executive director of Rosie Riveters, joins the podcast.Their organization works very closely with the manufacturing industry with a particular focus on preparing the workforce of tomorrow. They work to close the gaps in today’s workforce by increasing participation in STEM, fostering critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Brittany is a guest writer for The AI Journal and we’ll be discussing their work in preparing the the gneration of workers with the skills needed to succeed alongside AI.
On this episode, Joe Steele of LIFT joins the podcast to share some recent news. Their organization has been awarded a contract to accelerate the development of ceramic-based materials for use in industrial and defense applications.
This new four-year, $9 million “Critical Materials Processing” program will advance the state of technology and readiness for ceramics, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and ultrahigh-temperature materials.
LIFT is an accelerator connecting advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and talent development enhancing America’s manufacturing competitiveness, national economy, and security.
On this episode, Cindy Squires joins me to highlight Composites Evolution taking place October 22-23 in Knoxville, TN. This event brings together leading manufacturers, suppliers, and technical experts to explore practical, profitable solutions to the EPA’s new styrene regulations.
This focused, forward-looking conference will show you how to turn compliance into a competitive advantage – boosting efficiency, improving processes, and unlocking new market opportunities.
You can learn more by visiting https://acmanet.org/event/composites-evolution.
On this episode, we'll be featuring several interviews from day two at CAMX 2025, including:
On this episode, we'll be featuring several interviews from CAMX 2025, including:
On this episode, Cindy Squires and Rebekah Stacha join me to talk about CAMX 2025, taking place in just over a week down in sunny Orlando, FL (Sep. 8-11). You can still register by visiting https://www.thecamx.org.
On this episode, Brian Fitzgerald joins the podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the factory floor by predicting machine and equipment failures before they occur—boosting efficiency, increasing production uptime, and cutting downtime costs.
Brian is the Chief Growth strategist at Augury, a manufacturing technology leader valued at over $1 billion. Their platform is helping manufacturers unlock greater production capacity, improve operational predictability, and advance sustainability, reshaping the way manufacturing teams operate. More information is available at www.augury.com.
On this episode, Edward Crawford, and Rick Armstrong of Coltala Aerospace join me to discuss Evans Composites' accelerated growth in aircraft repair operations under Coltala Aerospace.
Evans Composites has experienced transformative growth this past year, powered by Coltala Aerospace’s precision integration strategy. This momentum has brought alignment and strength to Evans, driving significant gains in operational performance, scalability, and customer experience.
You can learn more by visiting https://www.coltalaaerospace.com.
On this episode, Derek DeGeest discusses Nitrotherm - a patented new spray technology system that replaces conventional compressed air with heated, ionized nitrogen as the spray carrier. Nitrogen is cleaner and atomizes more effectively.
On this episode, Harrison Langley, CEO of MDLR Brands, joins the podcast to discuss their core technology: LiteSIP®, a proprietary, ultra-lightweight panel system made from fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) skins bonded to high-performance foam cores.
Their panels deliver unmatched strength, insulation, and resilience, outperforming traditional SIPs, wood framing, and metal panels.
You can learn more at https://www.litesip.com.
IACMI CEO Chad Duty joins the podcast to discuss their big event next week in Dayton, OH. The IACMI Members Meeting will celebrate a decade of innovation and a future of impact as it brings together top leaders in composites, manufacturing, and workforce development.
Attendees will dive into groundbreaking research, discover the latest DOE-funded technical projects, and see how IACMI workforce programs are scaling up to meet industry needs.
You can learn more by visiting https://iacmi.org/event/2025-members-meeting.
On this episode, Justin Hamilton of Hexcel will share some of the latest news regarding their partnership with JetZero to qualify composite materials for a new "all-wing” design aircraft demonstrator. They are advancing this partnership through the FAA’s Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition (FAST) program, qualifying composite materials for JetZero's all-wing design aircraft development program.
The Z4 is the world’s first all-wing design commercial airplane. This design produces greater lift and reduces drag, resulting in up to 50% better fuel efficiency than comparably sized tube & wing aircraft.
This week, Mark Stiving joins us on the podcast. Mark is the author of the recent book Selling Value: How to Win More Deals at Higher Prices.
In the last 25 years, Mark has consulted, trained and/or coached hundreds of companies, including Cisco, Procter and Gamble, Grimes Aerospace, Splunk, and Crowdstrike. Today, he works regularly with PE firms, helping their portfolio companies increase profits and drive valuation by learning how to price, package, communicate, and sell value.
Mark's passion is teaching the power of pricing. He evangelizes pricing at major conferences and has conducted over 400 days of corporate training around the globe. Mark’s Price class maintains a net promoter score (NPS) of 81, higher than Apple’s. His podcast, Impact Pricing, maintains a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts.
You can learn more about him by visiting https://impactpricing.com/markstiving.
On this episode, Kyle Jordan and Steve Kane join the podcast to discuss some updates on SpaceTEC® Partners' new Florida training facility and its role in preparing the next generation of composite technicians. Kyle is the director of certifications for the ACMA and Steve is the executive director of SpaceTEC® Partners.
SpaceTEC® Partners offers Aerospace, Aviation, and Advanced Manufacturing skills validation for the U.S. defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors, certifying technicians employed in civil, defense, and commercial organizations worldwide.
You can learn more by visiting https://spacetec.us.