Haleyanne Freedman: “It Is Very Rewarding To See A Team Of Engineers Who You’ve Trained And Assisted”

Haleyanne Freedman is the global 3D printing engineering specialist at M. Holland.

She got her start in industrial manufacturing working for a machine tool importer managing its 3D printing department. Haleyanne has since developed in-depth knowledge and expertise in 3D printing through her professional work as well as her time working and experimenting with her home printing lab.

She is well-versed in multiple CAD programs and received a certification in Additive Manufacturing Polymers and Metals from MIT.

Haleyanne leads M. Holland’s Additive Manufacturing group and advises clients on equipment and product selection, process optimization and adoption, and material and application validation.

She is also active in the Northeast Ohio Manufacturing Cluster and serves as Vice-Chair for Women in Manufacturing and Co-Ambassador for the Great Lakes Chapter of Women in 3D Printing.

Nora Toure: Haleyanne, could you let us know about your background and what brought you to 3D printing in the first place?

Haleyanne Freedman: I was originally looking to work in machine tools and industrial manufacturing when I stumbled into 3D Printing. I had an unconventional professional background and was hopping between industries, trying to find something creatively challenging enough for me to legitimately apply myself.

I got an interview at a machine tool company, and the owner had recently invested in a line of 3D Printers without knowing anything about them. He told me if I could figure them out, I could run the entire department for engineering and business development. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I’m so grateful I took the opportunity. It was truly life-changing.

Nora Toure: Can you describe your very first experience with 3D Printing?

Haleyanne Freedman: When I began my role at the company I mentioned above, I spent the first few months breaking the printers constantly and learning how to fix them. I took them apart, reassembled them, and learned every bit of the printer I possibly could.

I found it so unbelievably fascinating and immediately fell in love. 2 years later and I now own 7 of my own printers at my house. They have their own bedroom!

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