Service and Applications Technician
Dreams of Fine Art Transform into 3D Printing —
When asked how she got into 3D printing, Lauren’s first reaction is quick: “I got lucky.”
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in metals from Ball State University, Lauren originally planned to become an art teacher. But she was instead hired at Casting House in Chicago, a custom jewelry manufacturing company.
It was there she began working with 3D printers, including models from EnvisionTEC, which became her favorite for one major reason: “The detail is just incredible and the machines were so reliable.”
In 2011, Lauren made her fan-dome of EnvisionTEC official—joining the company as a service and applications technician.
Initially, she worked only with jewelry customers transitioning to a new way of making patterns for investment castings. But today, Lauren services all of EnvisionTEC’s Desktop and Perfactory models that use DLP technology in North America.
EnvisionTEC’s family of customers know Lauren throughout the field for being accessible and funny.
After Lauren taught a training class on the EnvisionTEC Micro 3D printer, Valorie Havercamp of Purple Mountain Jewelry wrote to the company about the experience: “Lauren was our trainer and she was AWESOME! She made something very foreign to us seem understandable. She is a combination of knowledge, experience, teaching ability, concern for others and wit. She is a perfect trainer and you should be proud to have her on your team.”
Of course, Lauren is great at her job because she loves her job.
That includes going behind the curtain at companies such as Disney, Tiffany and Stuller—to see how they are using EnvisionTEC machines to manufacture prototypes, patterns and final products.
“Honestly, I love our customers so much. I have made so many friends over the years,” said Lauren, now a seasoned 3D printing professional. “They make you feel like a superstar when you help them with a machine that they use for their business.”
Lately, Lauren has been getting to know new dental customers, at first in labs, but not now many orthodontist and dentist offices.
“I’ve been in so-oo many dental offices this year,” Lauren said, noting that the transition to 3D printing is often easier than many customers in that medical field expect.
“A lot of them already have experience using CAD/CAM software,” she explained.
While a career in 3D printing isn’t what Lauren originally planned for herself, she’s so glad it turned out this way and jokes that she likes carrying the torch as a woman 3D printing professional.
“Eighteen-year-old me just gave me a big high five for that,” she joked.