Episode Summary
This week, Freeform co-founders Erik Palitsch and TJ Ronacher discuss their journey from SpaceX to pioneering 3D metal printing at scale. With high-power lasers and real-time control, they’re driving a new era in industrial additive manufacturing.
Episode Notes
This week on Pathfinder, we explore the future of 3D metal printing and manufacturing with Erik Palitsch and TJ Ronacher, co-founders of Freeform, a pioneering startup aiming to redefine industrial-scale additive manufacturing. Both SpaceX alumni, Erik and TJ share their journeys from leading projects on the Merlin and Raptor engines to co-founding Freeform, where they’re using high-power lasers and real-time process control to create a new era of rapid, scalable 3D printing.
We dive into how Freeform’s approach is addressing longstanding challenges in the additive industry, from quality control to production speed. Erik and TJ outline their vision for Freeform as a “manufacturing as a service” model, where clients can access high-quality printed parts without the steep learning curve and costs of traditional additive systems. We also discuss:
- The engineering challenges they tackled at SpaceX and how that shaped Freeform’s technology and business model
- Freeform’s technology, including their real-time closed-loop process that enables unprecedented print speeds and precision
- Their vision for the “factory of the future,” where autonomous 3D printing facilities operate globally
- The role of 3D printing in off-planet manufacturing and its impact on space exploration
And much more…
• Chapters •
00:00 – Intro
00:35 – TJ’s background
02:15 – Erik’s time at SpaceX before Freeform
07:25 – How has materials in 3D printing changed in the past 10 years?
12:27 – Manufacturing as a service and the tech at Freeform
18:16 – 3D printing vs traditionally manufactured parts
23:11 – What is the tech that Freeform is building?
32:45 – True factory scale 3D printing
37:10 – Traction beyond space
38:06 – What Freeform is printing today
38:41 – Revenue and customers
41:53 – Manufacturing capability today and in the future
43:51 – Advice for investors looking to invest in 3D printing
49:18 – Future of 3D printing
54:24 – What will off-planet 3D printing look like?
57:08 – Favorite stories from SpaceX days
60:47 – Milestones to look out for
• Show notes •
Freeform’s website — https://freeform.co/
Freeform’s socials —https://twitter.com/freeform_future
Mo’s socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislam
Payload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspace
Pathfinder archive — Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@payloadspace
Pathfinder archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/episodes
• About us •
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