Lisa Lehman has a passion for manufacturing. She spent the previous eight years at an injection molder outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and saw firsthand how Additive Manufacturing complements traditional methods of manufacturing. Joining Carbon in 2018, Lisa strategizes with partners to show how using additive, in particular Carbon Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, can help their customers produce parts at speeds and volumes never before possible. She is focused on working with injection molders, urethane casters and design firms to integrate the Carbon Platform into their offerings.
Lisa, could you let us know briefly about your background and your journey into Additive Manufacturing?
I started with an injection molder located in Cleveland, OH a decade ago who embraced additive early. The early vision was to move from prototypes to production faster with the customer base. The real bottle neck was always materials so when Carbon arrived on the scene, it made perfect sense and made me join their team.
To date, what would you say is your greatest achievement in Additive Manufacturing?
Watching the Vitamix Nozzle move from traditional to additive manufacturing. It’s really a game changer for me (consolidation, material, efficiency, etc)
Have you run into any challenges from being a woman 3D Printing?
Absolutely, I call on traditional molders and most of the time they expect me to bring donuts. Once I can provide them technical information and show sample parts – they change their tune (most of the time).
What is the most impressive or impactful use of 3D printing you’ve seen so far?
I truly believe that as Carbon pushes the limits of materials and speed, anything is possible. COVID-19 was certainly game changing from the perspective of supporting not only PPE with masks and swabs but also bridge tooling when things were shut-down across the globe. Additive to the rescue!!!Â
What advice do you have for women looking to get started in 3D Printing?
Think about every object you touch (phone, TV remote, medical device) and think about how could we make it better with additive (part consolidation, individualized) and then design for it then print it.
In your opinion, how could we encourage more women to become involved with Additive Manufacturing?
We are stronger together so the more of us that they see and hear… the better. Start younger, jr. high, high schools.. go out and speak about it.
Anything exciting coming up you’d like us to know about?
Hoping to hit the stage at the Breaking the Mold conference scheduled this November in Colorado.Â
Favorite 3D tool? Our smart part washer – I hate cleaning parts and am terrible at it.
Favorite moment in your day job? My customers… they mean everything to me!
What’s on your 3D Printing wishlist for the next 5 years? More materials!!!! Â
Another inspiring woman you’d like us to interview?  Jillian Wolken
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