![Jenna Margaria [Source: Women in 3D Printing]](https://fabbaloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/image-asset_img_5eb09ce6104e8.jpg)
Jenna Margaria is an Applications Specialist Supervisor at Protolabs.
Nora Toure: Jenna, could you let us know about your background and what brought you to 3D printing in the first place?
Jenna Margaria: In 2010, graduated with a degree in Plastics Engineering Technology. My focus after school was injection molding, I worked as a process engineer for a custom injection molder. When my husband and I relocated to North Carolina in 2013, my initial job search was for a similar position in the industry.
I learned Protolabs was opening a facility in Raleigh as they had just acquired Fineline Prototyping and wanted to expand its additive manufacturing operations there. I was intrigued, although new to the technology. I got hired on as an Applications Specialist, and the rest is history!
Nora Toure: What was your very first experience with 3D Printing?
Jenna Margaria: My first experience with 3D printing was in college. We had a course where we had to design and manufacture a matchbox car from start to finish. After our initial design was approved, we had the part printed on an FDM machine. The campus did not have a 3D printer at the time.
I was shocked at how fast we got our part back, considering we were still busy designing tool paths to even cut the mold. Although the FDM part was roughly 3 times the size of our actual design, it was reassuring to get a part in hand and confirm all of our design work so quickly. Fun fact: my team won the race!
Nora Toure: You have been working with Protolabs since 2014. Could you let us know what Protolabs is and the services the company provides?
Jenna Margaria: Protolabs is a digital manufacturing source for quick-turn prototypes and on-demand production parts. We are a technology-agnostic provider meaning we use both subtractive and additive technologies to give customers a multitude of manufacturing options so that they can choose the one best suited for their particular needs.
On the 3D printing side, we offer five different technologies, which include SLA, SLS, DMLS, Polyjet and Multi Jet Fusion. We have seven manufacturing facilities in the U.S. with locations in Europe in Japan also.
Read the rest at Women In 3D Printing
Elizabeth C. Engele (Lizzy) is a designer for social good, and a founder of MakerGirl.