Our speaker on Tuesday, February 8 is Matthew Wolak, Additive Advisor for 3D Printing BDM

 

A brief synopsis from Matthew's Linkedin profile:

 

As my career has developed, and my understanding of manufacturing and its existing processes has grown deeper, I've learned that understanding a business' current environment is far more important than anything else. When it comes to 3D printing, it's not as much about what applications we can uncover - or the ROI we can deliver on a machine, but more about knowing what matters to the organization. Additive Manufacturing is about solving a business problem and you can't solve that problem without a business case. I help companies develop that business case and it's my job to find an application(s) that supports it. That is different from finding applications fitting for the technology because, quite frankly, anyone can find something to 3D print within their organization. The business case should make it clear that an investment in the platform you choose can deliver on the value of solving your business problem. 

How do we do that?

Most often, an additive manufacturing conversation is centered around an application or what the machine can do; its capabilities, it's build volume, its speed, and its material options. But what we've found is that is neither beneficial nor appropriate starting out. Before we can begin to evaluate the technology, we need to understand the needs of your business. Not just from a departmental standpoint, but from the zoomed out view of everything overall. Why does that matter? It matters because when your machinist has a backlog of 15-20 projects, or 100hrs, or 30 days - you need to know what that's worth. If one of those projects is worth $100,000 and the customer wants it yesterday - your ability to fill that order is worth $100,000. Lose 5 of those projects, and that just cost your company half a million dollars. Now, a 3D printer (or printers) becomes relevant. It is then, that we discover together, how additive manufacturing can help solve that problem.

What is Rotary to me?

I first started working in the Mequon-Thiensville School District in the fall of 1999 when I was hired as an elementary teacher at Wilson Elementary School. In 2004, I was selected to serve as one of the two assistant principals at Homestead High School and it was at the annual National Honors Society Recognition Dinner that I made my first connection with the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club. Donned in gold aprons with blue trim, I remember being introduced to the likes of Greg Huffman, Stan Smith, and Sandy Custer along with many other members that were volunteering to serve food to the students and families at the event. That year, I was also impressed to learn about the monthly recognition that the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club provided in partnership with the school district for high school students that included an opportunity to be honored at the end of the school year with a scholarship. When I was named the superintendent of schools in MTSD in 2017, I learned and found it quite impressive that the school board expected me to be a member of one of the local Rotary clubs. With the opportunity to select a club to join, I did not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Karl Hertz and requested consideration for the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club. I know how influential Dr. Hertz has been in his work with Rotary and in that he is a mentor, a guide, and a friend, there was no other Rotary Club to consider.

In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, our mission is: Together, we ignite each student’s passion for learning, preparing for a life of infinite possibilities. Rotary clubs are a fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders that work together to promote lasting and positive change. Our school community includes all those who contribute in some way to the ecosystem of our children’s educational journey, and the TM Rotary Club is a valuable friend in that work. Rotary Clubs, including ours, support education for all children and that means the world to me. I am forever grateful to call myself a member of this club and for the opportunity to serve our community alongside my fellow Rotarians.

You can now register for the 2022 Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Ride: https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=ce053d9b-7bbf-4746-9091-9ee6fae679d5