Canadian appointed prez of additive mfg users group

Mark Barfoot, managing director of Kitchener-ON-based Hyphen has been appointed president of the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) board, becoming the first international board member to hold the president’s title for the US-based association.

“I am honored to be appointed president of the AMUG board and I look forward to furthering the awareness of the only user group association dedicated to the ongoing education and training of additive manufacturing and 3D printing practitioners,” said Barfoot during the group’s 26th annual conference in Tucson AZ this month.

AMUG is an independent, all-volunteer association that works closely with industry professionals, OEMs and vendors to educate and advance the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. Hyphen is a full-service rapid prototyping and environmental testing center with a wide range of capabilities, including additive manufacturing technologies. Hyphen is a division of Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.

“It is exciting to serve as president of an association that brings together beginners to advanced users of additive manufacturing from all over the world. More eyes are focused on additive manufacturing and 3D printing than ever before, which is generating enthusiasm and collaboration between traditional manufacturing and additive manufacturing industries. This is a game-changing time for Hyphen, AMUG and the additive manufacturing industry as a whole,” Barfoot added.

In addition to being appointed AMUG president, Barfoot was also the recipient of a Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO) award at the 2014 AMUG conference. The award recognizes individuals for their contributions to, and years of experience within, the additive manufacturing industry. Barfoot was instrumental in bringing additive manufacturing to Christie and building its in-house capabilities before launching Hyphen in October 2012. He has led the Hyphen team in innovation and growth, and has contributed as a volunteer and presenter for AMUG, serving to elevate the profile of additive manufacturing across North America.

As part of Barfoot’s accountabilities as incoming president of AMUG, he will have oversight of the board’s activities and planning in preparation for the 2015 AMUG conference taking place at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville FL on April 19 – 23, 2015.