An Editorial Farewell and a Welcome

Since its inception in early 2014, 3DPrint.com and its team have been dedicated to providing news and insights focused on 3D technologies, offering an ever-growing variety of resources to the industry. Over the last four and a half years, we have published close to 14,000 unique articles, built a strong educational resource through online training in additive manufacturing, partnered with a variety of industry events and begun to host our own, and curated a vibrant community through our sister forum and social channels, as well as regular industry contact.

In 2014, as I was ready to move on from six years working as an editor and research analyst with an industry research and forecasting company, I responded to, of all things, a Craigslist posting from Florida seeking an editor for a young tech news site. Responding to that ad changed my life as I embarked very soon thereafter on my journey with 3DPrint.com, having previously encountered 3D printing only through having edited a global forecast report on 3D printers and perhaps having caught a news segment or two on rapid prototyping. Editing about a dozen articles daily at that point and writing regularly as I got my feet under me, I learned very quickly about additive manufacturing during this period in the peak of hype. As the industry began to stabilize and become more professionally focused, so did I, as I took on a leadership position in content operations upon the site’s acquisition in 2015. As business operations changed and we continued to grow as a resource and community, I have been honored to progress in my role as the Editor-in-Chief of 3DPrint.com.

Over the last several years, we have increased our focus on the industry, enhanced direct communications with hardware and software companies as well as end users, and made it a point to be on the ground at every possible opportunity to bring news directly from the source. Interviews with industry participants, including spotlight series featuring diverse participants and educators shaping the next generations, have been highlights. This job has taken me around the world and has gotten personal, and I have deeply valued opportunities to get to know the technology of the industry as well as the people behind the advances. The people truly do make the industry, and this one is filled with unparalleled brilliance.

As this industry has grown and continues on a remarkable trajectory to take its place in Industry 4.0, change is the only constant. That’s as true for our team as it is for the industry at large as we now look forward to the next phases of growth. I recently tendered my resignation, and it seems oddly fitting — and hopefully auspicious — that my final day here falls on a Friday the 13th.

Lanyards from a few events I’ve attended since 2015

Working with the driven and dynamic team of full-time and freelance writers at 3DPrint.com has been my honor, and it will be my delight to watch them continue to offer unique content and daily news.

Beginning Monday, long-time 3DPrint.com contributor Joris Peels will be taking the reins as this site’s next Editor-in-Chief. Joris’ knowledge of and familiarity with the industry runs deep, and readers here will appreciate his insights, candor, and humor as he steps into this leadership role. He brings more than a decade of experience and expertise in additive manufacturing, having worked directly with desktop and industrial technologies as well as consulting and writing in a variety of roles within the industry. It has been an absolute pleasure to have worked with Joris, and the site will be in very capable hands.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Sarah in the past and can’t thank her enough for making 3DPrint.com what it is today, bringing her precise editing and collegial style to raise standards and grow the reach and readership of the site,” Joris Peels, the incoming Editor-in-Chief at 3DPrint.com, says.

“I hope to continue her work to improve the quality of our content so that we are by far the highest quality provider of information in every area of Additive Manufacturing.”

Joris’ tenure promises to build upon a strong foundation in delivering news, information, and insights to the 3D printing industry.

I am profoundly grateful to 3DR Holdings, the 3DPrint.com founders, and the talented content and business teams — and of course to the industry surrounding 3D printing — for the career-shaping opportunities I have found here. It has been my privilege to head content operations here at the Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Leaving this site has been a difficult decision, and was one made for personal reasons; I wish Team 3DPrint.com all the best as I look forward to new adventures and new horizons.