![Melanie Lang [Source: Women in 3D Printing]](https://fabbaloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/image-asset_img_5eb0a7889b2b7.jpg)
Melanie Lang, Formalloy Co-Founder and Managing Director, is motivated by developing a disruptive technology that delivers the future we could have previously only imagined – geometrically complex components made from exotic materials at cost-effective prices with reasonable lead times.
Her passion has manifested into making wave(length)s in metal additive manufacturing since co-founding Formalloy in 2016. Prior to Formalloy, Melanie spent over 15 years as an engineer and program manager in the Aerospace & Defense Industry.
She holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois and M.S. in Systems Architecture & Engineering from the University of Southern California. In addition to her role at Formalloy, Melanie currently serves as the Vice President of Legislative Affairs for Navy League San Diego, and we are lucky to have her as our San Diego Women in 3D Printing ambassador as well.
Nora Toure: Melanie, could you let us know about your background and what brought you to 3D printing in the first place?
Melanie Lang: When I chose Aerospace Engineering as a path, I did so to satisfy my creative/artistic self with my math/science-loving self. 3D printing is another perfect example of the intersection of art & science, and so I was drawn into the “maker” world and started researching and exploring as a hobbyist.
Working in the Aerospace industry for many years, I began to recognize more and more constraints on design and function that were limitations in the manufacturing processes and materials.
By leveraging additive manufacturing/3D printing, I realized we could eliminate some limitations I had learned over the years regarding design and materials, and that’s when I dove in and altered my path towards 3D printing.
Read the rest at Women in 3D Printing
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