Posts in Articles
The Barnes Global Advisors: Advancing AM Ecosystem Through Neighborhood 91 Initiative

As additive manufacturing (AM) continues to rapidly reshape the manufacturing landscape, one engineering firm has emerged as a leader in accelerating this transformation. The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA), based in Pittsburgh, PA, acts as the largest independent AM consultancy, providing specialized expertise across materials, systems, process economics, digital, supply chain, sustainability life cycle assessments, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing strategy.  

Read More
The Power of A Process: Driving Operational Excellence

Nikki joined TBGA in 2023 to assist The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) team with project setup and process implementation. By 2024, she transitioned into a full-time role as Project & Accounting Manager, where she has been instrumental in driving growth across the business and financial operations. Today, Nikki serves as the Associate Director of Operations, overseeing and managing all aspects of the business operations.

Read More
ArticlesAllie Kunkel
CCAT and TBGA Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Training in the Northeast

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology(CCAT) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) aimed to transform the training landscape across the Northeast. Together, CCAT and TBGA will develop robust training programs using the TBGA Additive Manufacturing Training. This initiative aims to deliver comprehensive TBGA Additive Manufacturing training across the region through 5-10 partner organizations.

Read More
A Stroll through Neighborhood 91: The First 3D Printing Industrial Campus

Launched by Allegheny County Airport Authority, Neighborhood 91 (N91) is the world’s first dedicated additive manufacturing (AM) industrial campus. As such, it represents a unique step forward for the 3D printing industry. Situated near Pittsburgh International Airport, it unites every stage of the AM supply chain in one collaborative ecosystem. This initiative, built on Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage and technological strengths, is a testament to the region’s commitment to innovation and economic growth.

Read More
Relational, Mission-Focused Ecosystems Are the Future of Resilient Manufacturing

“It’s not what you know – it’s who you know.” There is truth in that statement. Not in the cronyistic sense, but in a healthy way that helps us be more effective as designers and manufacturers. As I reflect on my first year at The Barnes Global Advisors and look back on my career, I see a common thread and theme that have driven my career; service to our nation, and building relationships and community for a common purpose.

Read More
ArticlesAllie Kunkel
The Barnes Global Advisors Partners with BlueForge Alliance to Support the U.S. Maritime Industrial Base

In response to the urgent demand for maritime supply chain capability, capacity, and workforce development for the U.S. Navy, The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) and BlueForge Alliance (BFA) are collaborating to support the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program’s advanced manufacturing initiatives. This partnership will enhance advanced manufacturing strategy, qualification, and certification processes, and provide consultation on investment opportunities that strengthen the nation's maritime industrial base.

Read More
From LEGO® Sets to NASA Standards and Beyond

From an early age growing up in south Chicago, Rick Russell was hooked on the space program. He was glued to the TV, watching the Apollo missions, building LEGO® rockets, and witnessing a man walking on the moon. Rick went to the University of Illinois on a scholarship from a steel mill and earned a BS in Metallurgical Engineering. But when all the steel jobs dried up due to the economy, he decided to continue his education, getting his MS degree at the University of Florida.

Read More
Can I? Should I? Key Questions when Implementing Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are the focus of many industries due to the potential benefits they offer in areas such as weight reduction, sustainability benefits, lead time reductions, and cost savings. Despite this focus, there is still significant room for learning around the key questions of, “Can I make this from AM?” and “Should I make this from AM?”

Read More
From Sunflower Fields to the Field of Advanced Manufacturing

No one grows up knowing they want to specialize in non-destructive testing of additive manufacturing. How could they? But from a young age, Erin knew she wanted to make things. She began a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design at the University of Kansas. She was drawn more to the technical side and pursued Mechanical Engineering full-time.

Read More
ArticlesAllie Kunkel
Measure AM Value, Not AM Printers

In our previous article, “RIP 3D Printing. Long Live AM!” we suggested that the paradigm was shifting.  It is moving away from the printer OEM being the center of the AM universe towards the part manufacturer using AM to produce products. Recent conversations have led us to double-down on that premise, with reinforcement from data-driven analysis to convey the message that AM is ready to be measured by the same metric the rest of manufacturing is – parts and services.

Read More
A Full Circle Moment – From Connections to Career

In today's world, the connections one makes are critical; fusing layers of experience and skills on top of another to build an intricate career. However, in a world where everyone is rapidly grasping to shape their career, it is sometimes the connections you make early on that are the most important for a successful build. That was exactly the case for Communications ADDvisor® Lexie Perham.

Read More
ArticlesAllie Kunkel
The Barnes Global Advisors Recognized as a Finalist for the 2024 MILAM/America Makes Education and Workforce Development Award

The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) were recognized at the Military AM Summit as a finalist for the 2024 Education and Workforce Development Award, presented in partnership with America Makes. This recognition is a testament to TBGA's commitment to advancing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and fostering a skilled workforce in the United States.

Read More
2024 3D Printing Predictions from the Experts: Metal 3D Printing

Metal 3D printing has attracted significant investment in recent years, with machine sales increasing by over tenfold in the past decade. The industry has witnessed the rise of large multi-laser systems in what 3DPrint.com refers to as the “Laser Wars.” Disruptive companies like Seurat, Velo3D, and VulcanForms have introduced innovative solutions, reshaping the market landscape. Meanwhile, affordable options like MELTIO, Xact Metal, and One Click Metal are democratizing metal 3D printing.

Read More
Tech Transition Mantra: Affordable, Reliable, & Timely

If you can’t make “it” affordably, reliably, and in a timely manner, then you don’t have “it.” Rob Carter might have this mantra on his tombstone someday (hopefully a long time from now). Rob notes that he learned this repeatedly over the course of his career, and he notes, “Now that I am nearing the “greybeard” portion of my career (thanks to Andy Davis for repeatedly pointing that out), I can only wish to pass this on to those coming along after me.”

Read More
The Barnes Global Advisors Announces Matthew Crill as Newest ADDvisor®

The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA), a leader in advanced manufacturing (AM) consultancy services, is thrilled to announce the addition of Matthew Crill to the ADDvisor® team. Over 20+ years, Matthew has focused on the successful implementation of cutting-edge material and process solutions in high consequence applications for defense, space, and commercial platforms.

Read More
The Barnes Global Advisors Selected to Lead Delta Qualification Team by the Air Force Research Lab

The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) have been awarded the contract to lead TEAM RED, (Thorough Evaluation of AM with Rigorous Expertise and Data) within the America Makes Delta Qualification program. This significant contract is funded by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and marks a pivotal moment in advancing additive manufacturing (AM) qualification standards.

Read More
TBGA President John Barnes Welcomes AM Industry Veteran Dr. Richard Grylls

The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA), a renowned leader in advanced manufacturing (AM) consulting and services, is delighted to introduce Dr. Richard Grylls as the newest ADDvisor®. Dr. Grylls brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in metal AM systems, processes, materials, and properties to support TBGA's mission of advancing the industrialization of metal additive manufacturing.

Read More
The Barnes Global Advisors Receives Department of Defense Funding to Develop a Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystem

The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) has been awarded $1.975 Million to demonstrate a self-sustaining advanced manufacturing production campus tied to critical part needs for the Department of Defense (DoD). This award, funded through the DoD Industrial Base Analysis & Sustainment (IBAS) Program’s National Imperative for Industrial Skills (NIIS) initiative, will focus on workforce development programs through training and hands-on applications in a production environment.

Read More
Tim Simpson’s AM Training, Design and Innovation Journey

While TBGA ADDvisor® Tim Simpson is winding down one role with AM Magazine, he’s taking on a new adventure as co-host of AM Radio. This is the Tim we know – a jack of all trades – enlightening the AM community with training, design, and innovation expertise. He specializes in design for additive manufacturing, and has helped train and educate more than 1500 industry practitioners to realize AM’s unique value proposition in aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, defense, energy, medical, oil and gas and space industries.

Read More
TBGA Expands Capabilities in Advanced Manufacturing Qualification

The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) is ushering in summer 2022 by welcoming Arun Ramachandran to the ADDvisor® Services team. Arun joins from Collins Aerospace where he was the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Leader of the Advanced Structures business. He brings a 15+ year career in strategy and technical program management spanning new product development, advanced manufacturing, translating global market trends to product strategy and technology roadmaps, and implementing business process transformations using advanced data analytics.

Read More
Voices Amplified: Jennifer Coyne Leverages Career in Rail Sector To Industrialize Additive

The AM industry as a whole suffers from a lack of material data and established manufacturing criteria, leaving question marks about what these technologies produce or are capable of producing. In addition, the technology is quite complex, with numerous variables and process parameters that can affect the product outcome—something Coyne refers to as “turning the knobs.”

Read More
The Barnes Global Advisors Launch TBGA Media for Advanced Manufacturing Customers

TBGA announces the expansion of its communications offerings for customers, officially launching this week as TBGA Media. This expanded offering helps customers solidify messaging and grow their presence in the ever evolving additive and advanced manufacturing marketplace; TBGA leverages 150+ years of additive manufacturing (AM) experience and relationships to maximize the impact of customers’ media investment.

Read More