Rethinking Manufacturing Through Additive Innovation with Jason Rolland

Welcome to The Manufacturers Network Podcast! In this insightful episode, Lisa Ryan sits down with Jason Rolland, Senior Vice President of Materials at Carbon Inc., to explore the rapidly evolving impact of additive manufacturing on how products are designed, produced, and scaled. Jason offers an insider’s view informed by years of expertise in polymer chemistry, entrepreneurship, and industrial material science.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Additive Manufacturing Evolved

Jason Rolland traces how 3D printing moved beyond prototyping, now enabling the production of finished parts with improved speed, precision, and material properties.

-Key Innovations Driving Production Viability

Discover the breakthroughs in materials science, hardware speed, and software that allow for faster print times, better mechanical properties, and digital-driven production processes.

- Breaking Down the Technology

Not sure about acronyms like FDM or SLA? Jason explains the main categories of 3D printing in clear, simple language and describes their pros and cons.

- Where Additive Manufacturing Makes the Biggest Impact

From footwear and sports equipment to medical devices and dental models, Jason shares real-world examples where 3D printing offers a competitive edge—especially for customized parts and foam replacements.

- Barriers to Adoption & How to Overcome Them

Find out why manufacturers hesitate to adopt new technologies, and how issues of cost, awareness, and application fit can be addressed.

- Evaluating If Additive Manufacturing Is Right for Your Business

Get practical advice on the types of products best suited for 3D printing and the factors manufacturers should consider before making the transition.

- Sustainability and Flexibility Benefits

Learn how additive manufacturing supports supply chain resilience, reshoring, reduction in carbon footprint, and new approaches for cleaning, recycling, and using bio-based materials.

- Getting Started Without Overinvesting

Jason outlines Carbon’s partnership model, emphasizing collaboration over upfront equipment sales so manufacturers can test applications risk-free.

Tangible Takeaways

1. Focus on Product Application:

Evaluate whether additive manufacturing will improve your product’s performance or unlock new design possibilities—don’t just jump in for the technology’s sake.

2. Consider Customization and Complexity:

Additive manufacturing thrives in producing complex, customized, or low-volume parts—especially when traditional tooling is cost-prohibitive or slow to adapt.

3. Factor in Speed, Cost, and Flexibility:

Digital production allows rapid switching between product types, making it ideal for nimble, local, and scalable manufacturing operations.

4. Think Sustainability:

Local production and material efficiency can lower the carbon footprint. Explore innovations in part cleaning and bio-based resins for further environmental benefits.

5. Start with Collaboration:

Instead of investing heavily upfront, partner with experienced additive manufacturers like Carbon to test the fit for your specific application.

Ready to explore additive manufacturing for your business?**

Reach out through Carbon’s website contact form to start a conversation with Jason and his team.

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Tune in next time on The Manufacturers Network Podcast for more insights, strategies, and manufacturing success stories!