At this year’s Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference, held from March 30 to April 3, 2025, in Chicago, the winners of the annual Technical Competition were announced. The awards recognize advanced applications and post-processing techniques in the field of additive manufacturing. In the “Advanced Finishing” and “Advanced Concepts” categories, entries from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Equispheres Inc. were honored, while the Members’ Choice Award went to Ricoh 3D for a medical training model.
Bonnie Meyer, co-chair of the Technical Competition Committee, said, “There was an impressive range of participation with entries from corporate partnerships to individuals showcasing how their hobbies and professional experiences blend into additive manufacturing opportunities.
The competition also showcased a wide array of entry types, from engaging and creative variations on existing applications to unique and innovative uses of additive manufacturing.”
Ryan Watkins of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory impressed in the “Advanced Finishing” category with a solution aimed at reducing the mass of 3D-printed lattice structures for a Mars mission. Using a chemical surface treatment developed in collaboration with REM Surface Engineering, the team was able to reduce ligament thickness and component mass by over 80 percent, all while maintaining structural integrity. The judges emphasized that this type of finishing work goes far beyond cosmetic enhancement and directly influences the part’s functional performance.
In the “Advanced Concepts” category, Evan Butler-Jones from Equispheres, in collaboration with Martinrea International, presented a 3D-printed aluminum housing featuring an integrated vapor chamber for passive two-phase cooling in electric motors. Using selective laser melting, the design combined fully and partially melted regions to create efficient thermal management within a single component, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing both energy consumption and space requirements.
The “Members’ Choice Award” went to Luke Hileman of Ricoh 3D for a neonatal thoracentesis trainer. This high-fidelity simulation model allows medical professionals to practice critical procedures under realistic conditions. The judges praised the model’s utility for training in life-saving techniques for premature infants.
Meyer stated, “Unlike the Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing categories, the Members’ Choice award has no defined evaluation criteria. It is open to personal and subjective impressions.” She also noted, “The Members’ Choice results were very close, with only one vote separating first and second place.”
The AMUG Technical Competition illustrates the wide-ranging applications of additive manufacturing—from aerospace and automotive engineering to medical simulation.
Meyer concluded, “The AMUG Technical Competition brings together an impressive range of industries and applications, offering participants a valuable platform to highlight their accomplishments. This year, the judges placed a greater emphasis on entries that demonstrated practical solutions with real-world impact – applications that are not only innovative but deliver tangible benefits. Ultimately, the competition fosters creativity and excellence in additive manufacturing.”
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