![Kay Matin [Source: Women in 3D Printing]](https://fabbaloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kay-002-e1542107657955_result_img_5eb0a15611bee.jpg)
Kay Matin has served AlphaSTAR as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1990.
During her tenure, the company has evolved from an advanced Research & Development firm to a leading provider of software and engineering solutions for the global aerospace, automotive, department of defense, and energy markets.
With Additive Manufacturing creating interest from all sectors & industries globally, Kay has established an aggressive R&D agenda with the support of DOD and tier one organizations to develop, optimize, verify & validate toolsets that can meet the fast-paced needs of the marketplace.
Nora Toure: Kay, could you let us know about your background and what brought you to 3D printing in the first place?
Kay Matin: I have been with AlphaSTAR corporation for the majority of the 28 years that AlphaSTAR has been in operation. The evolution of technologies throughout the years has been massively interesting.
Technology development challenges, learning experiences, and roadmaps are what has brought me to this new revolutionary period which I call the Additive Manufacturing Era.
As part of the team at AlphaSTAR, the years of experience as executive management member has prepared me for the challenges & excitement we are about to experience.
Nora Toure: What was your very first experience with 3D Printing?
Kay Matin: The first corporate effort in additive manufacturing was associated with our crash effort to simulate the AM fabrication of Local Motor’s Strati vehicle using one of the biggest AM machines in operation at the time called the BAAM platform produced by Cincinnati Inc.
All hands were called in to fix serious 3D manufacturing issues for a car that was scheduled for the Detroit Auto Show only 4 months away. It involved a significant amount of work carried by our staff, but using our engineering expertise and our advanced micromechanics software, we were able to help all partners to have a successful showing.
Read the rest at Women in 3D Printing
Elizabeth C. Engele (Lizzy) is a designer for social good, and a founder of MakerGirl.