How can we effectively share knowledge about additive manufacturing (AM) technology with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? This question became the foundation of the pilot project "Recordings from Stakeholder Group Meetings," which aimed to create on-demand video content based on expert presentations from CFI’s network meetings. While the project had a strong starting point, the challenges encountered proved to be greater than anticipated, leading to the temporary suspension of the pilot.
An Ambitious Start
CFI has long organized network meetings to share the latest insights into additive manufacturing technology with its stakeholders. These meetings typically feature expert presentations on technological advancements, case studies, and practical applications. The goal of this pilot was to record these presentations, edit them into short, engaging videos, and make them available online for SMEs unable to attend in person.
The vision was clear: to create an easily accessible knowledge repository that could inspire SMEs to adopt additive manufacturing technology and support their journey toward innovation and growth.
Challenges in Execution
Despite the best intentions, the project quickly encountered several challenges that made it difficult to deliver the desired quality:
- Audio recording issues: When presenters used a microphone, the audio from questions and discussions in the room was not captured. This meant that all participant interactions had to be removed from the videos, making the editing process both time-consuming and resource-intensive.
- Equipment limitations: With non-professional equipment, it was challenging to create "picture-in-picture" recordings that simultaneously displayed the presentation (e.g., PowerPoint slides) and the presenter. This type of recording is crucial for producing engaging and easy-to-understand video content.
- Technical limitations in MS Teams: We attempted to use MS Teams to address some of these challenges. While Teams offers "picture-in-picture" functionality during live presentations, this feature is not carried over to the recordings. The recordings only captured the presentation slides, not the presenter, which reduced the quality and value of the videos.
Decision to pause the pilot
Due to the technical and resource-related challenges, CFI has decided to pause this pilot. Producing high-quality video content requires significant resources, and the current equipment and software limitations hindered the ability to achieve the desired results. The time and effort required to complete the project outweighed the expected benefits for SMEs.
Alignment with SUSTAIN-3D goals
The "Recordings from Stakeholder Group Meetings" pilot was closely aligned with the overarching goals of the SUSTAIN-3D project, which aims to drive the adoption and effective utilization of additive manufacturing (AM) technology among SMEs. By leveraging digital tools to disseminate knowledge, the pilot sought to address key barriers identified in the SUSTAIN-3D initiative, such as the lack of skilled workers and limited institutional support for SMEs. The creation of an online repository of AM expertise was intended to empower SMEs with accessible, practical insights, thereby fostering innovation and capacity-building within the AM ecosystem.
Positioning within the Local Action Plan
This pilot complemented other initiatives under SUSTAIN-3D, such as the "Webinar 3D-Printing in CNC" and "Borrow a Printer" programs. While these initiatives focused on direct engagement and hands-on experiences, the recordings pilot aimed to provide a scalable and sustainable model for knowledge dissemination. By capturing and sharing the insights from stakeholder meetings, the pilot sought to ensure that the knowledge shared during these events could reach a broader audience and have a lasting impact beyond the physical meetings.
However, the challenges encountered during the pilot—such as technical limitations and resource constraints—highlighted the need for more robust solutions to achieve these goals effectively. Despite the decision to pause the pilot, the lessons learned will inform future efforts to align with SUSTAIN-3D’s objectives and continue supporting SMEs in their journey toward adopting AM technology.
What have we learned
Although the pilot will not continue for now, the project has provided valuable insights:
- Audio and visual quality are crucial: Producing videos that are valuable to the target audience requires professional equipment and better recording solutions.
- Editing requires resources: Even with good recordings, the editing process demands time and expertise to create engaging and comprehensible material.
- Software limitations: Tools like MS Teams are effective for live presentations but are not ideal for generating finished video products.
The Way Forward
CFI remains committed to making knowledge about additive manufacturing technology accessible to SMEs, but future initiatives will require a more robust approach to recording and editing processes. The project has highlighted the need to invest in better equipment, explore alternative software solutions, and allocate sufficient resources for production.
While this pilot did not achieve the success we had hoped for, the lessons learned provide a solid foundation for developing new and improved ways to share knowledge in the future. For now, we will focus on other initiatives that can support SMEs in their journey toward adopting additive manufacturing technology.
