Blog
I write about what I see in the field, on technologies, materials, qualification and part economics, with sources you can check. No equipment sales and no sponsored articles.
Generative design in practice, and why it is now the same as topology optimization
In practice, generative design and topology optimization now describe the same thing. I explain how the software arrives…
8 min readPart consolidation, when combining parts makes sense
When it makes sense to make several bolted, welded or bonded parts as one, what you gain, when it is a bad idea and how…
8 min readReverse Engineering and 3D Scanning as an Entry Point into Additive Manufacturing
When no drawing exists for a part, reverse engineering is the way to a CAD model. What the process from scan to new part…
11 min readThe third way of manufacturing and DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing)
Additive manufacturing is the third way of making parts, alongside removing and forming material. It does not replace th…
10 min readA short history of additive manufacturing and why it matters today
How patents from the 1980s kept 3D printing in the hands of a few companies for decades, what changed when they expired…
9 min readHow a single part gets qualified for production
A qualified process does not mean every part is good. How the scope of verification follows the part's criticality, the…
9 min readWhat does SLS for wire harness tooling really cost?
An analysis of replacing CNC tooling with SLS printing at a Tier 1 wire harness manufacturer with five plants: which tec…
12 min readHow much does an industrial SLS, MJF or SAF printer really cost?
A comparison of industrial SLS, MJF and SAF machines through real cost of ownership, service, packing density, materials…
17 min readHow to choose a technology for industrial 3D printing
Most companies get the choice of industrial 3D printing technology wrong, not for lack of good options, but because they…
8 min readMetal Additive Manufacturing, Powder Bed Fusion vs Binder Jetting
PBF melts metal powder with a laser, while Binder Jetting glues it and then sinters it in a furnace. Where each technolo…
11 min readWhat Vendor Neutral Means in Additive Manufacturing
In additive manufacturing, being Vendor Neutral means choosing machines on merit, not brand loyalty. Here is what that a…
3 min readFrequently asked questions
Who writes the articles?
I do, Rare Svetozar Kolesar, Independent Consultant in Additive Manufacturing. The articles are based on my work with companies and faculties, and the sources are at the end of each article.
Are the articles sponsored?
No. I do not sell equipment or take commission from manufacturers, so I mention them only as facts and examples.
Are the articles available in Serbian?
Yes. Every article also has a Serbian version, on the Serbian blog.