Welcome to our Employee Spotlight series — a glimpse into the individuals driving 3D Spark forward. In this series, we focus on highlighting the professionals who contribute to making our company an impactful workplace.

In this article, Leila talks about her role as a Business Development/Sales Representative at 3D Spark, highlighting her efforts to assist companies in optimizing their manufacturing processes, the user-friendly and value-adding features of the 3D Spark platform, her favorite tools like the manufacturability-testing and AI 2D drawing analysis, and offers advice for newcomers to additive manufacturing sales while sharing her personal inspirations and hobbies.

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1. What is your role on the 3D Spark team?

Leila: I am the Business Development/Sales Representative at 3D Spark. I look for companies facing challenges with costing and quoting for on-demand parts production – more specifically, companies with in-house and/or external manufacturing capabilities who struggle to find the best production method for their parts – and introduce them to the 3D Spark platform.

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2. What drew you to 3D Spark/Importance of the 3D Spark Platform according to you?

Leila: I like the user-friendly nature of the platform and the clear value-add it provides to Service Providers and OEMs. Coming from Supply Chain, the ability to quickly view and compare your in-house manufacturing technologies as well as request quotes from qualified suppliers removes so many tedious steps from day-to-day work. You hear a lot nowadays about “user friendly” and accessible “low code/no code” platforms – particularly how important they are for attracting and retaining customers - and I feel like 3D Spark’s software achieves this: by combining an excellent user experience with real value-adding features.  

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3. A feature of the 3d spark platform which already exists that you are particularly proud of/beneficial for the users?

Leila: The manufacturability-testing feature for CAD files is my favourite, because it makes the technology more accessible to non-experts like me, who have no formal training in identifying where there could be problems when printing. For experts, it is also still a fantastic tool for helping select the optimal production option for manufacturing their part, whilst cutting out time-consuming analysis steps. The AI 2D drawing analysis tool is also really cool – you get an idea of the feasibility of manufacturing a part before it even becomes a CAD model!  

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4. What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is new to your field?

Leila: If you are coming into Additive Manufacturing Sales from a non-engineering field, don’t try and remember all the details of every technology – you will be overwhelmed! Learn the basic 3D printing workflow from CAD design through to slicing and printing, as well as the key features of each technology which will affect how your product/service interacts with the end user. For example, I don’t waste my time telling a customer about our support structure check tool if they use Multi-Jet Fusion – not relevant for this technology!  

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5. Are there any role models you look up to who inspire you to work towards a better and sustainable future?

Leila: Melody Wilding – her tips on how to regulate personal emotions and use them as a tool to drive positive change at work was a huge eye opener for me. There is something everyone can learn from her book I would say.

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6. What are your hobbies?

Leila: I have been sucked in to the “bouldering” trend, so I enjoy doing that a few times a week. Otherwise, exploring my home patch and travelling further afield – anything that involves a good amount of walking. Going for a coffee and a cake with friends is also always enjoyable.  

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