This elite club acknowledges companies across various market sectors for their outstanding production of commercialized parts using additive manufacturing technologies.

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan, March 11, 2024 — SME, the nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America's talent and capabilities, announces the establishment of the SME Additive Manufacturing Production Club, recognizing manufacturers for their exceptional contributions to additive manufacturing or 3D printing production. This elite club acknowledges companies across various market sectors for their outstanding production of commercialized parts using additive manufacturing technologies.

Manufacturers that are members of the AM Production Club by the May 6, 2024, deadline will receive special on-site recognition at North America's largest additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing event, in Los Angeles June 25-27. In addition to signage in the venue and exhibition area, Club members will be featured during the AM Industry Awards, with members at the 50K level being spotlighted on stage.
Stacey DelVecchio, chair of SME's Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee, emphasized the elite honor associated with becoming a member of the Club: "Membership in this exclusive club signifies a commitment to the technology and to leading by example by bringing parts made with additive manufacturing to production. We applaud the dedication of these manufacturers in advancing the industry and driving competitiveness."
The SME AM Production Club comprises four distinct levels, categorized based on the volume of production achieved in a calendar year:
• 50K Level: Companies producing 50,000 or more of one part/product in a calendar year.
• 25K Level: Companies producing between 25,000 and 49,999 of one part/product in a calendar year.
• 10K Level: Companies producing between 10,000 and 24,999 of one part/product in a calendar year.
• 5K Level: Companies producing between 5,000 and 9,999 of one part/product in a calendar year.
Eligibility for the club is determined by the production volume of a specific part or product using additive manufacturing within a calendar year. Each part or product must meet the production volume threshold for its respective category to be eligible for recognition. For example, a company producing a broad product line of medical implants would not be eligible, but individual product families within that line would qualify. Similarly, jewelry items with variations in size and decoration would be eligible as long as the core function of the product remains consistent.
Recognition Benefits
Members of the SME AM Production Club will receive:
• A distinguished recognition lapel pin
• Highlighted presence on SME and RAPID + TCT websites
• A press release announcement to showcase their achievement
To apply for membership, companies must submit the following details by application through the link on the AM Production Club landing page:
• Company Name(s)
• Part/Product Name
• Application Description (250 words)
• Total number of parts printed between January 1 and December 31
• AM Technology/Technologies used, specifying the printer(s) utilized (150 words)
• Postprocessing methodologies employed (if any) (100 words)
• Material(s) used (50 words)
• One-page graphic/image illustrating the part/product (non-confidential)
Additional AM Deadlines
In addition to the AM Production Club deadline, deadlines for other AM awards and competitions at RAPID + TCT 2024 are approaching on April 5.
About SME
Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America's talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.