Podcasts about Extrusion

Transcript Paper: Gearhardt AN, Brownell KD, Brandt AM. From Tobacco to Ultraprocessed Food: How Industry Engineering Fuels the Epidemic of Preventable Disease. Milbank Q. 2026;104(1):0202.https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.70066 https://www.milbank.org/quarterly/articles/from-tobacco-to-ultraprocessed-food-how-industry-engineering-fuels-the-epidemic-of-preventable-disease/ Ashley, let's talk a little bit about, just set the stage for what this paper was all about, and since it was your brainchild, you approached Allan and me about being involved. Tell us what you set out to do and why you thought these issues were worth digging into. Ashley - You know, I've just been so struck that when we think of cigarettes, they were something that's so common, so normal that we kind of think, oh, they've always just sort of been there. But truly, they're just taking a natural plant from the ground and through advancements and corporate engineering and technology and knowhow, they took a poisonous plant and made it into the most deadly and addictive drug in human history. And yet that was, you know, just accompanied by tons of debate. It didn't look like other addictive substances. And I just really felt like, man, we're reliving this history right now when it comes to how we've altered our food supply. I wanted to really bring you all together and see if we could really lay that story out of the, the parallels of these two public health crises. We'll get in a minute into the issue of what you discovered, but tell us what you covered, what the paper was meant to do. Ashley - The paper really goes back from how you take the tobacco plant in the field, or the corn in the field, and walks essentially through all the kind of levers that are being pulled to transform it in very specific ways. And through specific technologies and corporate practices that are being shared by modern cigarettes and ultra processed foods. These products maybe look harmless on their face initially, or don't look like they're just maybe pleasurable or craveable. But truly, I would argue that they've crossed thresholds into things that are addictive and clearly damaging many people's lives. Okay, so several decades ago, I don't know who came up with a term, but there was a lot of discussion about similarities between tobacco industry behavior and food industry behavior. And the press started publishing cover pieces that would say food is the next tobacco. And it was a term that the food industry really didn't like, and they don't want that comparison at all. It'll be interesting to see whether they deserve it. You clearly made that connection in this paper. Allan, let's turn to you. Oh my God. I mean, we could do a 15-hour podcast and not cover the history of the tobacco industry. There's so much to say, enough that you wrote a massive book about it. But give an overall sense, if you will, of the kind of tactics and morality of that industry. Allan - Well, as Ashley already mentioned, early in the 20th Century we wouldn't really be thinking much of cigarettes, and they were just a very peripheral sales consumer item. And over the course of the 20th Century, we came to a point in the middle of the century of the 1970s, and '80s where about half of all American adults were smoking cigarettes regularly. I wanted to understand that. How do you take something that's at the very margin of the economy and culture and make it a dominant consumer force? And I think in that way, we have certain parallels to ultra processed foods. But then there were the questions, how do you make it so popular? Is it dangerous to use? Is it addictive? Does it cause disease? And how do you resist regulation and other public health approaches to try to keep people smoking? And I found a lot of evidence in each of those areas, both of how the industry acted. And when you say, you know, it's ultra processed food like cigarettes, we're learning a lot about ultra processed foods. But we know a ton about what the industry did to make the 20th Century what I call the Cigarette Century. And we have seen really important declines in smoking in the last 30-40 years. It's a remarkable public health effort. But at the same time, the industry worked incredibly hard and, in some ways brilliantly, to maintain the popularity of their product. And underlying all this is the idea that nicotine is highly addictive. And the industry came to understand that certainly before consumers did. And as a result, they could engineer, manage, manipulate the addictive character of a product that kills. I think looking for parallels, both in terms of how the industry did it and how perhaps public health law regulation can undo it, is the critical aspect of what we've been working on together. Okay. So, the tobacco industry did more than just take a plant, dry it out, chop it up, and roll it up in some paper. Then people might be driving whatever natural pleasure there would be from that product. But they did more, didn't they? Allan - Yes. And you talked about nicotine in particular. So how manipulated was this industrial process and was it designed to create such high levels of addiction? Allan - Well, for a long time we couldn't be sure about that. And we have learned that the industry had learned sophisticated techniques of industrial production of cigarettes. So, it wasn't like just chopping up tobacco and putting it in paper. You know, they added many additives. They added liquids. They dried it out, they put it in long strips of tobacco for cutting and packaging. And they had innovated the technologies, instead of human beings rolling cigarettes, they were able through machinery and technology to produce hundreds of thousands of cigarettes a day. And then they had to figure out how do we sell this tremendous volume of cigarettes in order to make our industry truly lucrative. So, there were those aspects. And certainly by the middle of the 20th Century, many people realize that - I smoke regularly and I crave my next cigarette and I'm smoking a pack a day, sometimes two packs a day. And people would ask, well, is it a habit? Is it habituating? Is it addictive? And as the science of addiction really grew in the middle of the 20th Century, we began to realize it had all the characteristics of addiction. But we really didn't know exactly what the companies were doing. And what we did learn in the '80s and '90s is that the companies had a precise ability to manage the nicotine in their product. And they did, so that even as they put filters on and they claimed they had safer cigarettes, they were also producing increasingly addictive cigarettes where we have craving, we have withdrawal, we have tolerance. The basic categories, that structure, how we understand addiction. Okay. We'll dive into some of those in a little more detail, but thanks for that background. Ashley, people kind of get it that drugs can be addictive and they know that alcohol can be addictive. They know that cigarettes can. But what about food? Ashley - Yes, so I think one of the things that when I take a step back, is that the reward and motivation system that alcoholic beverages, cigarettes can start to hijack and drive towards compulsive problematic use, that was laid down in the brain to make sure we were getting enough food. It's really sensitive to food reward, energy density. But the thing is you actually consume nicotine probably most days. Nicotine is actually in a lot of plants like tomato and eggplant, but nobody's getting addicted to the chemical in that delivery vehicle. I would argue the same thing's happening. When we look at our research nobody's getting addicted to minimally processed foods like bananas and broccoli, and salmon filets. It's when you're able to process and titrate and hedonically engineer food reward in a way that mimics the intensity and the sensory appeal and the spikes and crashes and the craveability of something like cigarettes, that you start to see people losing control. And when I read Allan's book, my husband was watching over my shoulder. And he's like, you know, if you highlight every single sentence, it's not gonna help you because you've highlighted the whole book. And reading what Allan laid out about how each wave of cigarette addiction, it wasn't because we suddenly discovered what nicotine was, it's because the industry got better at manipulating engineering, designing, flooding the market with it. And then health washing it, so people didn't really understand what they were getting into. And to me, that is what we've done to our food supply. And the result of that has been the astronomical increases in diet related disease and health concerns. Tell us about the concept of ultra processed food and how that fits in. Ashley - Yes. Yeah, that's a great question. So, ultra processed food is a concept that actually came out at about the same time as the Yale Food Addiction Scale, that Kelly and I published together, about how to operationalize who might be showing signs of addiction and certain foods. Carlos Monteiro from Brazil was noticing that his grocery store was starting to be flooded by foods that you could not make in your home kitchen. I have exactly no idea how to make a double stuffed Oreo or a flaming hot Cheeto, or a Cherry Coca-Cola. And as these products that were industrially created with additives and flavor enhancers that are kind of biologically novel, that's when the disease risk started to go up. And so, these foods are so fundamentally changed in they're kind of most archetypal forms of things, like sodas and, you know, your sweet, savory sort of snacks, that a whole new category had to be created for them. To really distinguish them from, you know, grandma's homemade cookies or, you know, an apple or an orange. Ashley, you're brilliant at framing things. And one of the things that I learned from you a long time ago, and I've used a thousand times in discussions with people, is thinking about food, like turning the coca plant into cocaine and into crack cocaine. That if you take the coca plant into its natural form, people can live in harmony with it. You don't really have addiction. But when you process it and it becomes cocaine, then things change dramatically. And when you hyper process it, like the hyper palatable foods and the ultra processed foods, then the crack cocaine becomes incredibly addictive. So that same sort of phenomenon I think applies here. And it's a very compelling way to think about this. Allan, let's get back to the addiction thing and tobacco. One of the most stunning things I remember about the tobacco history. Is the videotape of the seven tobacco company executives testifying before Congress that nicotine wasn't addictive. Swearing, you know, sworn statements about nicotine. Tell us about that and what that kind of meant in history. Allan - It's a great story and it has a kind of visual linkage to many of us who actually saw those congressional hearings. And it was a brilliant sort of performative politics, if you will. And there had been more and more knowledge that the industry was manipulating nicotine to make cigarettes that they were claiming were safer and not addictive, even more highly addictive. And David Kessler, the head of the FDA under Clinton, had really been a major player in this. And one thing I should say is we were learning more and more about the industry because people were suing them. And they would typically lose the suits, but they would get hundreds, hundreds of thousands of documents. And the industry also had whistleblowers who were coming forward and saying, of course we know it's addictive. So, Henry Waxman, a really fantastic congressman who represented consumers invited all seven of the major tobacco CEOs to a hearing on nicotine. And he went one by one - do you believe nicotine is addictive? And they would say, Congressman, I do not believe that nicotine is addictive. And it's like any great prosecutor, he had figured out how to get them essentially to perjure themselves in front of a congressional, and video news audience. And in fact, the Department of Justice considered for some time whether they should be put on trial and indicted for perjury before Congress. But it was so in congress, with what we had come to know, especially experts, but even, you know, parents and the public and citizens had come to know that it was incredibly difficult to get off of nicotine. It just didn't comport with our existing knowledge. And we're not quite to that point with ultra processed foods yet, but I think we have a good chance to get there because as we understand what they're doing better and we have a sophisticated understanding of the characteristics of addiction, that same question will be put ultimately to CEOs of the food industry. Especially those who are producing these highly addictive products. And there are many people who are involved in this. So, they will tell a story of how we understood we could make our product sell better and be used at a much higher level if we could make it addictive. And regrettably, as we learn more about addictive addiction, we not only learn perhaps how to help people who are addicted. But we often learn how to make certain products even more highly addictive. Ashley, let's take what Allan said and apply it into the food arena. So, if you think about the criteria for addiction, like Allan had mentioned: cravings, withdrawal, and tolerance, and, tolerance being the need to have more of the substance over time in, in order to produce the same pharmacologic effect. How do those things apply to foods? Ashley - Yes. There there's very strong parallels there. And I actually have a paper I wrote with Dr. Alex DiFeliceantonio, where we took the 1988 Surgeon General's report on the addictiveness of tobacco and nicotine in particular. And we took what they identified as the necessary and sufficient criteria to prove that it was addictive. It was a watershed moment for tobacco. And the major one is that people consume it compulsively. Meaning, you know, they want to cut down and they can't. They know it's harming them and they can't. Clearly we see that with ultra processed food. That it shifts mood. It increases pleasure. It reduces negative affect through its mechanism on the brain. And I think if you look at any marketing, you know, they're always saying you're craving meet your maker, get your bliss point. You're not you unless you're eating a Snickers. They show that it was highly reinforced. And that is, you know, animals and humans will work really hard to get access to it. With nicotine one of the major points of that is that animals, about 20% of the time, would work to get nicotine over cocaine. And that was quite striking because cocaine is so powerfully addictive. Well in those same models, animals will work for processed sweet taste and choose it 80% of the time over cocaine. It just shows that when we start altering, processing food reward into these unnaturally intensely stimulating packages, our brains were not evolved to protect itself against that. And then the final pieces that's been kind of added over time has been the cravings. I mean, if you think about what is the core of addiction, it's the craveability of it. That they maximize that. So, you can't stop thinking about anything else. And when I read, and we even quote in our paper, spots where, you know, industries, the big food is having webinars and how to turn cravings into corporate wins. And how to take snackers who are consuming, because their cravings feel unmanageable, but here's how you can keep them snacking even though they want to quit. And so, the craving really seems to me, based on my read of what I've seen from the industry, is the core engine of driving and selling ultra processed food. So, these foods, and I've heard you say this, Ashley, you know, they have less to do with the farm and, you know, these sort of romantic ideas of the farmer growing crops and the crops being harvested and coming to a farmer's market. These are really industrial lab-based, you know, heavy duty factory related products. And there's a real question, isn't there, about what you even should call them food. Ashley - Yes, absolutely. I actually grew up on a farm and I never ate anything that we grew on the farm because it was all due to Ag policy. Just, corn to go into high fructose corn syrup, soy to go into soybean oil. And I was surrounded by what looked like lots of food, but in reality, it was not. And some of the things that I learned in writing this paper with you all is just to what degree ultra processing allows them to even control the molecular structure and size of the different starch chemicals. That carby kind of access point in food. Allan talks in his book about how you can treat tobacco. So, you break it down and make it molecularly more bioavailable so nicotine gets more rapidly into the body. That's a huge driver of addictive potential. I found in ours that they were actually using enzymes that mimic what's in the saliva in your mouth. And hitting starches with it. Essentially you were predigesting, pre salivating, essentially the starch creating what's called a starch slurry. And that's a base of so many common ultra processed foods like cereals and savory snacks. Many of these products really have far more in common with that cigarette and have almost nothing in common, you know, with the apple or the can of beans anymore. You know, that image that you said about pre salivating food. I mean, it's in some ways as if the industry is spitting in your food to bypass your own biological mechanisms that occur when the food gets in the mouth and. People get a kind of a yuck response to that, but it deserves that kind of a response. Let's dive into the paper and talk about what you reported, Ashley. You talk a lot about the kind of processes. You just mentioned one of them, but there are a lot more. What are some of the specific techniques to food processing that surprised you when you started digging in. How did you get this information? Ashley - Yes, so one of the functions that actually didn't surprise me, but it made me look at it in new light, is the work on how we really changed the way we saw cigarettes when we realized they weren't just taking a plant and drying it and rolling it up. But that they were actually curating and titrating these just right doses of nicotine. So, you get stimulated, but not too satisfied and you don't feel overwhelmed by the amount of nicotine. When we realized that was very intentional and designed and titrated, that really changed this from a natural kind of product, it's just a plant to, oh, this is an in industry engineered product. They're controlling so much of this. We all know that they are altering the amount of sweetened refined carbohydrates and fats in our food. I mean, that's just plain knowledge. And at levels that go way beyond what exists in nature. But I think I've become very obsessed with extrusion technology. Extrusion is something where they take really high pressure, high shear mechanical impact, high pH, high temperature. And they can break the corn or the potatoes and things into this slurry that is broken down again into this kind of predigested molecular base that on its own is nasty. No one is like, oh, starch, slurry, yes! They need all the sensory and flavor additives to blitz that and texturize it so it can trick your brain into thinking it's appealing. I realized that actually has such a strong parallel to modern cigarette where, as Allan talks about in his book, one of the major technological advances was creating reconstituted tobacco where they take the tobacco scraps and they do the same sort of process to create what they call a tobacco slurry. That was then very easy to manipulate by putting flavor and preservative additives in it, and that's what makes up a large component of modern cigarette. And so, when we look at these processes and those sensory additives, the flavors, that are put in it, cigarettes have more sugar and flavor additives in them by weight than they do nicotine. And so many of those flavor additives are actually in our ultra processed food supply. Why? Because the flavor and sensory profiles are what you start to become really emotionally attached to. And that starts to drive brand loyalty from a very young age. I could go on and on and on. Oh man, we could be here for a day, so I'm really inhibiting myself. I'll be exhausted. I'll have to go get an ultra processed food from this. But it was stunning to me to see how the goals of the engineering were so shared. And I guess it shouldn't surprise us because, you know, we know that the tobacco companies like Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds actually created, manufactured and sold many of our favorite ultra processed foods that are now in our modern food supply, like Fig Newton's and you know, Hawaiian Punch and things. It really came from the same industrial practices. So Allan, I want to bring this back to the tobacco industry in a minute, but Ashley, I wanted to ask you first. I'm going to make a characterization. Tell me if I'm off on this. The industry is kind of manipulating every possible characteristic of a product. Its fragrance, its color, its texture, everything in the ways you mentioned. It becomes this industrialized product much more than a food. People consume it. They get immense reward from it because it's delivering a drug, basically, to the brain very quickly in a very efficient way. People then, of course, want more of that sensation. If tolerance exists, then it means they need more of the food over time in order to get the same reward. And then you've got a public health nightmare on your hand because people aren't just eating a little bit of these foods, they're eating a lot of these foods. And they're designed in order to produce that very impact. Does that seem fair? Ashley - Absolutely. That sums it up quite nicely. Okay, Allan, back to the tobacco experience. This kind of information that Ashley is talking about in the context of food, and you talked about in the context of tobacco. Manipulation of the product. As this kind of damning information became public knowledge, how did that happen in the tobacco arena? And then what was the consequence? Was it, you mentioned whistleblowers; was it investigative journalism? The hearings you mentioned were important. Scientific research, discovery. It sounds like a whole lot of things happened that made this information available to the public, which in turn changed public opinion against the industry. Allan - Yes, I think that's exactly right. It changed public opinion and it changed public policy and it took a long time. So, these are aspects that I think we have to, you know, acknowledge in thinking about public health and especially these powerful commercial interests that spend a lot of money on lobbying. They spend a lot of money on advertising. They know how to get to kids. These are very challenging. I do think, you know, early in the anti-tobacco campaigns, there were a few lawyers who said, well, we're going to sue them because they have misled, deceived, and in some instances probably acted criminally to build their addictive and extremely harmful life-threatening product. And people said, well, you know, it's everybody's decision whether they want to smoke and people quit all the time, so you're not going to do very well. And I think as a young academic type, I was very skeptical of the suits against the companies. But one thing that happened that I think was unanticipated, the lawyers asked for the company's records and their research reports and what people were doing. And they took depositions and the lawyers often lost the case, but they won an incredible archive that was incredibly self-incriminating of what the industry knew. When they knew it and how they continued to act to sell a harmful product. And I think that began to change things. So once you have documents, you know you're going to be more successful in court. Once you have some documents, you can call the CEOs in and say is it addictive? When they say no, you have documentation to challenge them about their own industry. Obviously, education is important. Investigative journalism. A lot of the documents not only came from the court suits, but from whistleblowers who snuck them out of law firms. Some of the whistleblowers came directly from the industry where they said, here's what my bosses told me. They need to know can you make this cigarette even more addictive? And they knew, for example, that taking nicotine out of cigarettes, which is not that difficult to do given the extent of manipulation, had to be something that was resisted. We could end the tobacco pandemic by just removing nicotine. Even if we did, you know, 10% a year. Many people would be able to stop smoking who cannot. But we had to array a kind of knowledge and practice and advocacy that really hadn't existed till the second half of the 20th Century. Ashley, when Allan mentioned these archives that exist on tobacco industry behavior, there's some food things in there, aren't there? Tell us about that connection between tobacco and food companies. Ashley - Yes, so you know, actually, Dr. Laura Schmidt at University of California - San Francisco, has done this just stunning work by using those same tobacco archives. Because they owned alcoholic beverage and ultra processed food and beverage companies she's been able to show really how much these industries kind of spoke back and forth. The different sectors of Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds, you know, they're big conglomerates. They were pulling scientists working on the cigarettes, or the marketers working on marketing cigarettes to kids, and putting them on and intentionally using that playbook to sell their ultra processed foods and beverages. That's very clear and very intentional. They might not say as blatantly. I feel like they learned their lesson a little bit. Oh, we're going to make this more addictive. They use synonyms even out in the public. Some of it that we report in this paper is not hidden. It's industry trade newsletters. It's interviews on 60 minutes with labor scientists where they're saying, yeah, we design these products, so you get a big flavor burst. And then it fades really rapidly because that makes you want to keep coming back for more and more and more. And yeah, addictive is a good word for that. And so there is this moment where it just becomes so implausible that they don't know that they have crossed the Rubicon into something that is hooking people. That plausible deniability that we're just, you know, giving consumers what they want, not actually engineering their desires to override what they know they should have to nourish themselves. It just feels beyond the pale to me to believe that's the case. Allan, look, you mentioned delay. And I'd like to talk about that a little bit more. There's a point in time when the science on something becomes robust. And you're very certain say that tobacco is causing lung cancer and heart disease.  And then you can't change things the next day or the next week. So, a little bit of delay is probably acceptable and to be understood. But the delay in this case between that knowledge and significant public health action policy action wasn't measured in days, weeks, months, or even years. It was decades. And you can count the number of attributable deaths to that delay in the millions. What did the industry do to make that delay as long as possible in terms of planting doubt, conflicts of interest with science and things like that? Allan - This is highly relevant to our moment because I make a few claims in the book. One is that the industry invented disinformation and misinformation. And there's always this way that says, well, I know that study appeared, but we need more information. And this was very clever on the part of the tobacco companies because they said, well, you know, that science shows this, but that science is unreliable. And we need to use different methods. And lung cancer is not a result of cigarette smoking, it's actually genetic. And maybe there are a few people that shouldn't be smoking cigarettes. We should be able to identify what's different about them. They kept finding strategies of delay, manipulation, building uncertainty. There's one of the tobacco documents in this phase that says, from now on, our product is doubt. And what they really needed to do to sell the product was to create doubt about a science that was highly robust and really important to consumers. On the other hand, I think consumers are sensitive to being manipulated. They don't like that. They don't like being tricked. They know these industries, especially tobacco industry, you know, is disreputable. And as that became the case, what did they know and what are they selling. We began to see some slow shifts in public awareness. And, you know, it's so interesting presenting the cigarette problem to a jury in 1970 became radically different than presenting the case against the tobacco companies in the 1990s. And a lot had changed, A lot had been documented and, you know, we never even thought of the idea that a company would scientifically mislead us probably until in any consequential way till the middle of the 20th Century. And now we're incredibly skeptical and I think taking advantage of the public skepticism, both politically and culturally is going to be one of the important issues of pushing back against what I've called rogue industries. They're operating unethically; in many cases, unlawfully. They're misrepresenting what they produce. And they have the idea that having addicted customers is the best customer. And Warren Buffet once said, you know the tobacco industry, that's crazy. It cost a dime to make it. You sell it for a dollar and its addictive. He said, what industry could be more, you know, lucrative than tobacco? Ashley, how do those things apply into the food area now? Ashley - Oh, my brain is just exploding with all the things I want to say. But I think I have an answer to Warren Buffett, which is if you've pulled all those same levers and pretend to people that it's food, and it's because we all have to eat, you know? And I walk around a grocery store and I, in my head, I'm like, if I waved a magic wand, and all the products in here that are masquerading as food but are actually ultra processed, chemically adulterated starch, slurries essentially disappeared. There is so little food in my grocery store. Real food. And it's also expensive. We would be rioting in the streets if we really saw the degree that we're not being adequately nourished or supported in our current environment. And it's the mirage of abundance that is totally hooking us. You know, taking us hook, line, and sinker. And so, you know, I'll have people often say to me, you know, it's food. Like can't really be addictive. We all need to eat. And to me that is absolutely true. Just like we all need pain management. And there used to be a belief, a myth, that if you were in pain, you couldn't get addicted to painkillers like opiates which we now know is incredibly wrong. That just because we need calories to survive doesn't mean that if you manipulate and hedonically engineer those products, that it won't impact the brain in a way that can drive it in compulsive problematic ways. It's so essential for us to carve out, yes, you need real nourishing food. This is real nourishing food and these other things. I'd love it if the grocery store, it's like you're walking around this spot, you know you're getting real food. Sure, you want to go get those Cheetos, go for it. But it's in a very clear designated area that you're not being tricked into thinking that you're eating something that's nourishing you when it's really addicting you. So, people have very strong affective attachments to foods. Particular foods that they like. Some of it is kind of what you grew up with, what your parents gave you, but a lot of it's marketing as well. And you mentioned a Cheeto or Coca-Cola, or a Dorito or a Twinkie or whatever it is. People don't want that taken away from them. Tell me if this is correct, the problem isn't so much that people eat Cheetos. It's that they overeat Cheetos, and then you add to that all the other thing, not just that food. But then you've got a real problem. Could it be a matter of just removing some of the especially troublesome ingredients from that. If you look at the list of ingredients on these foods, there could be 25 or 30 different ingredients. Well, what if, what if 12 of them got taken out or 13 or 15 of them got taken out? You'd still have the food; it would still have its taste. People could enjoy it, but it's not hijacking your biology. Ashley - Yes, I'm very skeptical of that as the response, because as Allan lays out in his book, we were like, okay, if we just get the tar out of the cigarette. You know, it's all fine, Vapes, right? Oh, you're vaping. It's fine. It will be harmless because our reward system is so porous to different levers that signal food reward. We see it with the non-sugar sweeteners. Look, we took all the sugar out, we gave you Diet Coke, we gave you non-sugar sweeteners. It's a get out of jail free card. And now we're realizing how much that messes up our gut microbiome, could potentially lead to earlier brain aging and so, you know, abstinence, clearly making this stuff illegal, that's never the goal. But I think that sense of saying, oh, we can just engineer our way out of this is unlikely. And we have the alternative. You know, for what should be the majority of what we're eating. I love a Reese's Cup, right? I will have an ultra processed food, but it shouldn't be 60% of the food supply, or 70% of what my kids are getting for their calories. And so again, that clear understanding that this is something that's fundamentally different from the food that nourishes us. We have the answer which is real food. If we poured even a tiny amount of the investment, even closing the tax loopholes on things like ultra processed food marketing to kids that they get tax breaks on and invested that into technology to make real food in its original food matrix affordable, accessible, convenient. That stuff is tasty. Have a fresh apple. It's just everything's been wired for that to be the minority of our food supply. That's often unaffordable and we all feel really time poor. These are solvable problems. We've just been shoving all our money towards how we make new flavor additives to sell high fructose corn syrup, starch, slurries. So, we just need to have the right in incentives in mind. Your point is very well taken that government trying to say, okay, let take out this ingredient or that ingredient is stepping into a trap. It makes all the sense to me in the world that that is a trap because. Using that philosophy requires a trust in the industry that if you ask them to take out these 12 things, they're not going to put in 12 new things that might even make things worse. And both of these industries, tobacco and the food industry have done everything but earn our trust so that's a very good cautionary note that you raised. I would say in the tobacco area, the idea of that we think that, you know, vaping will be harm reduction. And there's been a strong political notion that we should be, you know, doing harm reduction. And of course, in many instances, harm reduction can be helpful. But I found in tobacco, that I can't trust the industry to make a harm reduction product that's not going to get kids addicted. That's going to, you know, make sure that we're not using both tobacco and nicotine in the form of vape or other products. And so while many people who I admire in the public health world have said, yes, harm reduction is the way to go. I don't think that's true with tobacco. We have a lot of children and adolescents today who are profoundly addicted to nicotine. So, this discussion has led to lots of, oh my God, kind of observations from both of you. Paints a pretty scary picture of the food supply. How much manipulation there is. And how much harm gets caused by it. I'm hoping we might end on a bit of a positive note if there is one here. I'd like to ask each of you, is there a reason to be hopeful about the future? Allan, let me start with you. You're looking in on this with a unique perspective because of your years and years of working on tobacco. As you look in on the food space and see what's happening, what do you think? Allan - Well, I tend to be an optimist. I believe public policies can make a difference. I believe the courts can be used to serve consumers who have been harmed in the market. So, I have seen those things work to a really significant degree around the cigarette. Especially in countries where we have resources for education, where we can make policies that sometimes work or mostly work. I don't think I ever would've thought when I started this work in like the 1980s that we would've gotten so far. I once said to my son when he was seven, he was taking a flight with me. And I said, you know, people used to smoke on airplanes. And he said, no, that's impossible. And he just couldn't believe the idea that we had let people smoke on airplanes. And I've been collecting cigarette packages that were given out by the big airlines. Of course, you and I, Kelly, remember probably, when they start to put smokers in the back of the plane. But the smoke was wafting throughout it. And a lot of things that seem almost impossible now, were actually reduced through regulation and politics and public health. I'm very hopeful that we can use what we've learned about how to get smoking from 50% of the population down to 15 or 12, as bad as that is. And apply it to other gigantic risks like ultra processed foods. All right, thanks for that positive note. Ashley, what do you think are there grounds for being positive? Ashley - Yes, I'm also a huge optimist. I feel wildly optimistic. I just, from listening to consumer sentiment right now, the degree to which corporations are able to hack our limbic systems, I mean, you see it right now with social media and sports betting. I think in our bones as a society, we're starting to just get fed up. And to me there is nothing that is more clear cut of how industries can manipulate us than taking food, the thing we most evolved to care about and to find rewarding and nourishing, and somehow jacking it up into an addictive, harmful substance. And I have two little kids. I have a five and 7-year-old and I am just as a mom full of rage every time I go grocery shopping because they've just shoved protein in a Pop-Tart, now they're trying to tell me it's a health food. I think we're catching onto them, and I think that there is no way to go but up. And again, we already have the solution. In opiates, we are still struggling to find non-addictive pain management. We have non-addictive food and it's called, you know, minimally processed real foods. So, it's just about putting the incentives in the right place. BIOS Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology in the Clinical Science area at the University of Michigan. She also earned her B.A. in psychology from The University of Michigan as an undergraduate. While working on her doctorate in clinical psychology at Yale University, Dr. Gearhardt became interested in the possibility that certain foods may be capable of triggering an addictive process. To explore this further, she developed the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) to operationalize addictive eating behaviors, which has been linked with more frequent binge eating episodes, an increased prevalence of obesity and patterns of neural activation implicated in other addictive behaviors. It has been cited over 800 times and translated into over ten foreign languages. Her areas of research also include investigating how food advertising activates reward systems to drive eating behavior and the development of food preferences and eating patterns in infants. She has published over 100 academic publications and her research has been featured on media outlets, such as ABC News, Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Wall Street Journal, and NPR. Allan M. Brandt is the Amalie Moses Kass Professor of the History of Medicine and Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University, where he holds a joint appointment between the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Medical School.  Brandt served as Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences from 2008 to 2012.  He earned his undergraduate degree at Brandeis University and a Ph.D. in American History from Columbia University.  His work focuses on social and ethical aspects of health, disease, medical practices, and global health in the twentieth century.  Brandt is the author of No Magic Bullet:  A Social History of Venereal Disease in the United States since 1880 (paperback, 1987; 35th Anniversary Edition, 2020); and co-editor of Morality and Health (1997).  He has written on the social history of epidemic disease, the history of public health and health policy, and the history of human experimentation, among other topics.  His book on the social and cultural history of cigarette smoking in the U.S., The Cigarette Century: The Rise, Fall, and Deadly Persistence of the Product that Defined America, was published by Basic Books in 2007 (paperback, 2009).  It received the Bancroft Prize from Columbia University in 2008 and the Welch Medal from the American Association for the History of Medicine in 2011, among other awards.   Brandt has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  In 2015, he was awarded the Everett Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Award by the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  In 2019-20, Brandt was a recipient of fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.  He recently served as the interim chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  Brandt is currently writing about the history and ethics of stigma and its impact on patients and health outcomes.  

Dr. Joel Dixon joins us from Australia to share the story of a man who had been advised to undergo back surgery but instead chose a non‑surgical treatment that ultimately relieved his pain. Dr Joel Dixon Chiropractor and Cox® Certified Practitioner B.APP.SC (CHIRO)J.P. Graduating from RMIT School of Chiropractic in 1986, Dr Dixon has concentrated his professional development in spinal disc decompression therapies since becoming certified in Cox® Technic in 2000. He is the only Cox® certified instructor in Australia. Cox® therapy is considered to be the "gold standard" used by thousands of Chiropractors around the world for the treatment of low back and leg pain, neck and arm pain, and other spinal pain conditions. Cox® flexion distraction has more than 50 years of research, documentation, and proven outcomes for decompressing spinal nerves and treating low back pain. It's a gentle, non-surgical, low-force procedure that helps the spine heal properly and keeps it as pain free as possible. Dr. Dixon has a specific interest in treatment for disc bulge and disc herniation, sciatica, spondylolisthesis and scoliosis, amongst other conditions. He has treated thousands of patients with varying degrees of spinal disc pathology requiring non-surgical, conservative treatment using the latest Cox® 8 decompression instruments from Michigan USA. Dr. Dixon has supported athletes from a range of organizations including Sydney Swans and NBL clubs, South Dragons and Gold Coast Blaze. He also has had an extensive background in obstetrical spinal disorders and has been registered at two private hospitals providing in house spinal therapy. Dr. Dixon's continuous professional development in both the USA and Australia enables him to bring the most up to date research, technology and techniques to every consultation enabling rapid symptom resolution and the return to full spinal function as quickly as possible. In 2024 Dr. Dixon became fully certified to provide Concussion Baseline Testing and Concussion Treatment.  Both of these services are available at the clinic utilizing Complete Concussions (CCMI), which is comprehensive, worldwide testing and treatment protocol for concussion. Dr. Dixon practices at Malvern Chiropractic Clinic and Melbourne Spine Clinic. Resources: Melbourne Spine Clinic joel@melbournespineclinic.com.au  Dr. Dixon's Published Case The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical Find a Certified Cox Doctor

Send us a textWe trace how affordable, reliable material extrusion is changing prosthetics and orthotics—from student labs to jungle clinics—and why toolpaths, not just materials, will drive the next gains in comfort, strength and cost. Real patient stories show the economics and ethics of access at scale.• season launch and mission to improve patient outcomes• shift from tinkering to reliable, prosumer 3D printers• material extrusion vs FDM and why terminology matters• nonplanar layers, multimaterial potential, pellet economics• toward truly digital extrusion with better sensing and AI• application focus over generalization in O&P innovation• case study on low-cost pediatric prosthesis with reuse of CAD data• orthoses workflows moving toward “toaster-like” simplicity• education pathways as students learn on clinic-grade printers• materials outlook: TPU, TPE, silicone prospects, polycarbonate tradeoffs• variable density, air pockets, and hybrid fill strategies for comfort• polar kinematics and toolpath planning as the next frontier• print farms, software orchestration, and scaling productionSpecial thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.Support the show

Are you willing to ask God for the impossible?In this episode, Jeff and Bobby discuss: Tapping into the zone with God.Running a company on Biblical principles.The impact of a leader on a business.Having patience as our prayers are answered.  Key Takeaways:When you align with God and His will, you will see miracles happen.Get your kids involved with your ministry and stewardship from the beginning.To pass on a vision, it must be your vision, not one you're just following from someone else with no buy-in.God will put people in our paths when we're veering the wrong way. He will not forget us.Let God help you make your list of impossible things. The things that bother you and concern you, God cares about because He cares about you.  "What's a tip on how to be more generous? Ask him. It's going to be a different answer for everybody, depending on your situation." —  Bobby Mitchell Episode References: Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI): https://www.fcci-site.com/ About Bobby Mitchell: Applied Ceramics (ACI) is an international, high-technology manufacturing and development company, primarily focused on the semiconductor, environmental, healthcare, and aerospace industries. Utilizing his leadership skills in engineering, business, and management, Bobby became actively involved with the company's global Extrusion technology ventures with General Motors, Hyundai, Hitachi, Mead Westvaco, and Dow Chemical. He continues to lead ACI's business to become world-class by operating with excellence while focusing on its culture first.Bobby is a Partner of Applied Technology, LLP, a family-owned investment company. He serves in roles on the Board of Directors of the Realist Group and the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI). He is a current member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).In the past, Bobby was involved on the Board of Directors for Buckhead Baseball (a non-profit where he also coached over twenty-two different baseball teams). His other activities include a stint as Director on the Ceramic Glass and Industry Board, the Lovett School Alumni Board, the Capital Group Board, and the Movie Guide Board.He volunteered in various roles with Young Life, Young Life Africa Expeditions, Children's Healthcare, and Radical Mentoring, as well as the Lovett Lionbackers (Athletics), where he also serves as the Co-Chair of the annual golf tournament. He lives in Atlanta, GA, and holds degrees from Vanderbilt University (BS) and Georgia Tech (MBA). Bobby is married to Liz, and they have three boys: Robert, Michael, & Charlie, and are members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Connect with Bobby Mitchell - Owner, President & Chief Executive Officer, Applied Ceramics, Inc.:Website: https://appliedceramics.com/ & https://acicatalysts.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbymitchell1/    Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdvFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Do you have a “hopeless” retained root you're ready to extract? Think implants, dentures, or bridges are the only way forward? What if there's a way to save that tooth — predictably and biologically? In this episode, Dr. Vala Seif shares his experience with the Surgical Extrusion Technique — a game-changing approach that lets you reposition the root coronally to regain ferrule and restore teeth once thought impossible to save. Jaz and Dr. Seif dive into case selection, atraumatic technique, stabilization, and timing, all guided by Dr. Seif's own SAFE/SEIF Protocol, developed from over 200 successful cases. https://youtu.be/2TyodqgAP9w Watch PDP249 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl: When checking a ferrule, consider height, thickness, and location of functional load. Upper teeth: prioritize palatal ferrule. Lower teeth: prioritize buccal. Tip: do a partial surgical extrusion, rotate the tooth 180°, then stabilize. Key Takeaways Surgical extrusion is a technique-sensitive procedure that requires careful planning. Case selection is crucial for the success of surgical extrusion. A crown-root ratio of 1:1 is ideal for surgical extrusion. Patients are often more cooperative when they see surgical extrusion as their last chance to save a tooth. Surgical extrusion can be more efficient than orthodontic extrusion in certain cases. The importance of ferrule in dental restorations cannot be overstated. Proper case selection is crucial for successful outcomes. Atraumatic techniques are essential for preserving tooth structure. The 'Safe Protocol' offers a structured approach to surgical extrusion. Patient communication is key to managing expectations. Flowable composite is preferred for tooth fixation post-extraction. Understanding root morphology is important for successful extractions. Highlights of this episode: 00:00 Surgical Extrusion Podcast Teaser 01:07 Introduction 02:38 Protrusive Dental Pearl 05:53 Interview with Dr. Vala Seif 08:57 Definition and Philosophy of Surgical Extrusion 15:30 Indications, Case Selection, and Root Morphology 21:37 Comparing Surgical and Orthodontic Extrusion 25:54 Crown Lengthening Drawbacks 28:39 Occlusal Considerations 33:53 Midroll 37:16 Definition and Importance of the Ferrule 43:07 Clinical Protocols and Fixation Methods 01:00:01 Post-Extrusion Care and Final Restoration 01:05:04 Learning More and Final Thoughts 01:09:29 Outro Further Learning: Instagram: @extrusionmaster — case examples, papers, and protocol updates. Online and in-person courses in development (Europe + global access). Loved this episode? Don't miss “How to Save ‘Hopeless' Teeth with the Surgical Extrusion Technique” – PDP061 #PDPMainEpisodes #OralSurgeryandOralMedicine #OrthoRestorative This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.  This episode meets GDC Outcomes C. AGD Subject Code: 310 ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY Aim: To understand the biological and clinical principles of surgical extrusion as a conservative alternative to orthodontic extrusion or crown lengthening for managing structurally compromised teeth. Dentists will be able to - Identify suitable clinical cases for surgical extrusion, including correct root morphology and crown–root ratios. Describe the step-by-step SAFE Protocol for atraumatic surgical extrusion, fixation, and timing of endodontic treatment. Evaluate the advantages, limitations, and biomechanical considerations of surgical extrusion compared with orthodontic extrusion and crown lengthening.

In episode 293 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Sofeast's Head of New Product Development, Paul Adams, for the final part of their trilogy on polymers. When people think of plastics, they usually picture injection molding. But it's far from the only available process. We'll break down the major polymer processing methods, including injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, thermoforming, rotational moulding, and additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing). They explain: Why your product's geometry may rule out certain methods The strengths and weaknesses of each process Typical products made using each technique How process choice impacts cost, speed, surface finish, and performance This conversation will help you match the right process to your product and avoid costly mistakes.   Episode Sections: 00:00 – Introduction 01:05 – Why process choice matters: geometry, cost, and performance 04:55 – Injection molding: strengths, limitations, and common products 10:29 – Extrusion: pipes, profiles, and aligned mechanical properties 14:23 – Blow molding: bottles, containers, and even stadium seats 21:23 – Thermoforming: clamshell packaging, tubs, and larger liners 26:24 – Rotational molding: playground equipment, cones, and kayaks 30:34 – Additive manufacturing (3D printing): filaments and prototypes 34:52 – Wrapping up: how to decide and next steps with your manufacturer   Need help choosing the right polymer for your product? Contact us for a conversation.   Related content... Plastic Injection Molding Questions: 17 FAQs Businesses Need Answers To This is the third podcast in a trilogy. Listen to the other two here: When To Sign Off On Injection Mold Tooling? Inside the Journey from DFM to T0→T2 and Plastic Playbook: Choosing The Right Polymer Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

Send us a textDefining plastic extrusion ERP systems requires recognizing both their specialization and breadth, as they span the diverse business models across the extrusion value chain—from resin and pellet distributors to large-scale manufacturers of finished plastic products. While the focus is on extrusion, these systems must also account for the interconnected roles of suppliers, converters, and distributors to ensure real-world workflows are fully represented. However, no single ERP vendor fits every sub-segment equally well; some platforms are built for the complexities of high-volume extrusion manufacturing, while others better serve niche distributors or specialty converters. That's why guidance tied to each ERP option is crucial, with attention paid not only to system size but also to how well it supports extrusion-specific needs like scheduling, quality control, and regulatory compliance—factors that can ultimately determine whether an ERP investment delivers long-term value.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Plastic Extrusion ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Plastic Extrusion ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Plastic Extrusion ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

  Episode Summary:  In this episode of SHAPEMAKERS, host Bennett McEvoy, President of Western Extrusions and AEC Board Member, is joined by Duncan Crowdis, former CEO of Bonnell Aluminum and AEC Workforce Development lead. Together, they shine a light on the aluminum extrusion industry's growing need for skilled talent—and what the Council is doing about it.  With over 175 extrusion plants operating across 37 states, the industry supports more than 40,000 U.S. jobs. But as experienced workers retire and demand for aluminum products rises, attracting and training the next generation of skilled professionals has become mission-critical.  Bennett and Duncan dive into the AEC's multi-year effort to launch industry-wide apprenticeship programs—starting with maintenance technicians and expanding to extrusion press operators and die technicians, two of the industry's most essential roles. Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at how the AEC collaborated with the U.S. Department of Labor, developed tailored training programs, and is now preparing to launch a Train-the-Trainer initiative in 2026.  What You'll Learn:  Why aluminum extrusions are everywhere—even if you don't always see them  The crucial role of skilled maintenance workers and press operators  How apprenticeship programs are helping to future-proof the extrusion workforce  What's ahead for the AEC's Train-the-Trainer initiative  How companies can get involved right now  Resources & Links:    Learn more about the AEC Apprenticeship Program: www.AEC.org    Contact the AEC about workforce development: info@aec.org    Want to join the extrusion industry? Explore career opportunities and resources on the AEC website   

In this episode, Kurt speaks with Mehdi Sheikhzadeh and Steve Reaume of the Canadian Extrusion Research Laboratory, located at Lambton College in Sarnia.Medhi and Steve discuss the history of "CERL", as well as the massive scope of projects that they are capable of taking on.  From grant writing through to scaling for commercialization, the scope of CERL is truly amazing.You won't want to miss this thoroughly enjoyable and informative conversation!If you or your organization thinks they could benefit from CERL's expansive resources, please reach out to their business development manager, Adithyan Therayil.  Adithyan.Therayil@lambtoncollege.caFind Simcoe Plastics Ltd. on Facebook and Instagram. Find "That Plastics Guy" on Linked-In and YouTube. Find Kurt Stahle on Linked-In as well.Subscribe to our newsletter at www.simcoeplastics.comAll links here https://linktr.ee/kurt_stahle

David Page returns to the podcast to talk about his latest venture, Stepnguard, manufacturer of quality mud flaps with integrated step. Holman shares his latest exploits and a listener provides a You Review. The Truck Show Podcast is proudly presented by Nissan in association with AMSOIL, Kershaw Knives, and OVR Mag.

How long do grommets take to fall out?   Check out the papers mentioned Song CM, Park MH, Kim YH, Lee JH. Factors affecting the extrusion rate of ventilation tubes. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2010 Jun;3(2):70-5. doi: 10.3342/ceo.2010.3.2.70. Epub 2010 Jun 30. PMID: 20607075; PMCID: PMC2896736. Link to paper Lin YC, Kao YL, Chen YC, Chen LC, Dang LH, Hung SH. Factors Related to Ventilation Tube Extrusion Time in Children and Adults. Ear Nose Throat J. 2023 Apr;102(4): NP169-NP176. doi: 10.1177/0145561321999204. Epub 2021 Mar 15. PMID: 33720800. Link to paper     www.rnzcuc.org.nz podcast@rnzcuc.org.nz https://www.facebook.com/rnzcuc https://twitter.com/rnzcuc   Music licensed from www.premiumbeat.com Full Grip by Score Squad   This podcast is intended to assist in ongoing medical education and peer discussion for qualified health professionals.  Please ensure you work within your scope of practice at all times.  For personal medical advice always consult your usual doctor 

Send us a textToday on Being An Engineer, we have the pleasure of hosting Steve Maxson, a distinguished figure in the medical device industry with over two decades of experience in extrusion technology and medical device manufacturing. As the owner of Maxson InSight Services, Steve offers technical solutions and consulting services, specializing in medical extruders and turnkey systems. In his role at US Extruders, he leads innovation and business development, focusing on crafting robust, customized extruders for diverse applications. Additionally, Steve is the host of the Med-Ex Podcast, where he interviews global experts in medical device contract manufacturing, sharing valuable insights into extrusion technologies, materials, processes, and broader industry trends. He also plays a pivotal role in organizing the Medical Processing Panel events, bringing together thought leaders in MedTech to discuss advancements in catheter manufacturing, silicone processing, thermoplastic processing, and more.About Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

In this episode of ShapeMakers, Lynn Brown and Rue Rogers discuss the intersection of aluminum extrusion and the circular economy. They explore how aluminum can be recycled effectively, the importance of maintaining materials in circulation, and the role of scrap in the industry. The conversation highlights the sustainability initiatives within the aluminum extrusion sector and the potential for increased recycling efforts.   Takeaways The circular economy aims to keep materials in circulation indefinitely. Aluminum has a high recycling rate, with 75% still in use today. Recycling aluminum does not degrade its properties, allowing for high-quality applications. Aluminum can be used over and over without any degradation of properties. The industry uses a mix of virgin and recycled aluminum, typically around 25% virgin and 75% scrap. Recycled aluminum billet can be used just like billet made from prime or virgin aluminum; it does not need to be downgraded to be used in lower performance applications because of its scrap content like other materials. Post-consumer scrap includes materials from product end-of-life, such as old windows and doors, wheels, wire and other building components. Anodized aluminum can be recycled similarly to unfinished aluminum, while painted aluminum poses challenges. The infrastructure for collecting and processing aluminum scrap is well-established in North America. There is potential to increase the use of post-consumer scrap in the industry. Aluminum's corrosion resistance contributes to its long lifespan in applications. The aluminum extrusion industry is actively working on improving recycling processes. Learn more about the Aluminum Extruders Council at aec.org

Send us a textPlastic extrusion, a critical process in manufacturing, involves companies that produce and supply a wide range of plastic products. The best ERP systems for this sector streamline operations by managing intricate formulations, tracking variable product weights, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. These systems integrate seamlessly with production workflows, providing real-time data and insights to optimize efficiency and quality. The top ERP solutions in this category are evaluated based on their product roadmap, market share, technological innovation, and ability to meet the unique demands of plastic extrusion, positioning businesses for success in an increasingly competitive market.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 plastic extrusion ERP systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of plastic extrusion ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each plastic extrusion ERP Systems.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

This Episodes Questions: Hi guys, I listen to your podcast all the time and I have an ender two pro and recently the extruder got out of adjustment and I can't seem to get it fine tuned back the way it was out of the box. It seems to print about an 8th inch of this woven basket, which is a lot of retraction and then it air prints after that, and I checked the nozzle it's clear, but the filament gets stuck in the extruder and is smashed. Is there an easy way to adjust it? William Really enjoyed the discussion around prempting filament issues. Thanks for chatting about it on the podcast. I've now racked up over 1000 hours of print time on the X1C with a range of filaments - and associated trouble shooting. I can vouch that not all filament is created equal! I've started designing custom parts for around the house, and i'm wondering... What are your go-to tools/software and workflow for creating 3D printed solutions? Keep up the great show Norman Hi guys,  I know this question isn't for the majority of viewers but I was wondering if you could do an episode on custom built printers? What could each of you imagine making? - Max. build vol. dimensions? - What max precision or speed combinations could you achieve? - Could you build it to do an annealing process on print completion? - Have a "PIC" robotic arm & parts rack to embed parts and electronic components laying down and soldering tracers. Jay Hox

S10E269: Grim-shing -  This week we review Loudwire's top 30 hair metal bands, smishing, what unread emails say about you (no surprises), what happens when a remote tribe is introduced to the WWW, the sad effects of a 16-foot python, and heavy metal for your filthy earballs! (00:00:00) - Intro Special Thanks To: (00:00:57) - NIXD, SONG: Don't Tell Scott We Aren't a Metal Band (00:03:17) - Conversation 1 (00:16:45) - Destruction, SONG: No Kings - No Masters (00:20:55) - Robot God, SONG: Illusion of Order (00:26:53) - Conversation 2 (00:34:41) - Grandma's Pantry: Desultory, SONG: Passed Away (Death Unfolds) (00:38:34) - Conversation 3 (00:46:08) - By Disgrace of God, SONG: Darkness (00:49:26) - Extrusion, SONG: Slaves to the Pharaoh (00:54:18) - Gutricyde, SONG: Killer Instinct (00:57:41) - Conversation 4 (01:06:39) - Nattsjäl, Sweden, SONG: The Last Voyage (01:11:04) - Brainsore, SONG: In Life Is Coils (01:12:36) - Withering Surface, SONG: Where Dreamers Die Labels: Napalm Records, Lunar Mountain Records, Darkness Shall Rise Productions, Brazilian Ritual Records, Time to Kill Records, Mighty Music

 Lynn Brown of the AEC and Shane Tredup of Custom Aluminum discuss decarbonization efforts in the extrusion industry, highlighting the growing demand from customers for information on carbon footprint, scope one, two, and three emissions, and decarbonization plans.    Industry tool for aluminum extruders to track carbon emissions. ACC aims to create industry tool for extruders to track carbon footprint and reduce it by 20%. Tool to calculate carbon emissions for extruders, covering multiple products and methodologies. Discover the tool's capabilities, including sensitivity analysis and real-time what-if scenarios, to help extruders understand the impact of changes to their business on their carbon intensity. The tool will be useful for extruders to understand their own situation and make improvements and plans to do a separate podcast on the tool's functionality and new guidelines for granularity and reporting.   About The AEC: Follow AEC on LinkedIn for the latest updates and industry insights. Stay informed about the Aluminum Extruders Council by visiting aec.org and following us on Twitter. Stay Tuned for More SHAPEMAKERS: Don't miss out on future episodes of SHAPEMAKERS where we continue to explore the stories, innovations, and trends shaping industries worldwide. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey through the world of aluminum extrusion. Until next time, keep shaping the future!

Jason Weber visits with Prof. Lorenzo Donati about the upcoming ET'24 In-Conjunction Workshop on Process Analysis & Optimization    8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fee: $595 Instructors: Professors from the Manufacturing Technologies Group at the University of Bologna, Italy Learn how to optimize and analyze the aluminum extrusion process in this one-day intensive course from the experts at the Manufacturing Technologies Group at the University of Bologna in Italy. They have worked extensively with European extruders and die makers to optimize die design, improve welding phenomena in extrusion dies, increase die life, and analyze final microstructure of extruded profiles. This course covers the following topics: Introduction to practical and analytical extrusion concepts Material flow and Friction in direct extrusion Die failure modes and die life prediction Seam welds, welding criteria and profile strength Charge welds and process performance Microstructure evolution and Streaks formation mechanisms. About Prof. Lorenzo Donati Lorenzo Donati is Associate Professor in Manufacturing Technologies in the “Department of  Engineering for Industry” in the School of Engineering (Forlì Campus) of Alma Mater Studiorum  -University of Bologna. He received the Ph. D. in the course on “Engineering of manufacturing  systems, of metallurgy and applied measurements” of the Polytechnic University of Marche  (Ancona, IT) with a dissertation on “Seam weld formation during aluminum extrusion: FEM  simulation and experimental verification of the mechanical and aesthetical proprieties”. The  research field concerns the analysis and optimization of forming processes with specific focus  on the extrusion of light alloy: seam and charge welds quality, die life estimation,  microstructure evolution during extrusion processing are some examples of the most relevant topics. He is organizer  and head of ICEB, the "International Conference on Extrusion and Benchmark", which is held in Europe every two  years since 2007. He coordinated and participated to several projects in the field of light alloys extrusion funded by  International and National bodies as well as Companies.   A full list of publications is available at  http://www.unibo.it/docenti/l.donati 

In this episode, our guest Andreas Perjus, the Chief Technology Officer of Optinova Group, provides exclusive insights into the company's cutting-edge advancements in extrusion techniques. Optinova, renowned as a global leader in medical and industrial tubing, unveils its diverse portfolio and expansive manufacturing footprint across the globe. For more information, visit optinova.comFrom the revolutionary FEP QuickShrink™ 2.0 to the intricate PTFE Zebra Heat Shrink for endoscopic devices, Andreas navigates through the intricacies of these advancements and their pivotal roles in enhancing medical device functionalities. Additionally, he sheds light on Optinova's response to evolving regulatory landscapes, particularly concerning PFAS regulations, while also elaborating on the company's value-added services and design expertise. Moreover, Andreas explores the integration of automation and digitalization in manufacturing processes, offering a glimpse into the future of precision engineering in the medical sector. Host/ Producer: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest: Andreas Perjus | CTO | Optinova GroupAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersEditor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US ExtrudersFor video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

Spine specialist, Dr. Eric Frank shares a story of an active middle-aged women who has a very difficult spine condition to treat and a limited amount of time to get her well before she is schedule to consult with a neurosurgeon. Dr. Eric Frank is a 1988 Graduate of Logan University.  He has been operated Physician Associates of Pensacola, Inc. since 1990 until his recent retirement.  He has extensive training in Cox Technic and has treated thousands of patients throughout his career.   Resources: Find a Back Doctor Cox Technic The Cox 8 Table by Haven Medical thebackdoctorspodcast.com

In the latest installment of Five Questions, Five Answers, host Birgit Matthiesen is joined by International Trade & Investment Associate Jessica DiPietro for a deep dive into the complex world of aluminum extrusions. These ubiquitous materials, found in a broad spectrum of manufactured goods and across a multitude of industries, are currently under the microscope of a sweeping trade investigation led by Washington, DC. The potential outcome? Hefty import tariffs that could soar into triple digits. Birgit and Jessica offer a concise breakdown of the investigation, its potential triple-digit tariffs, and critical insights for company executives. Highlights of the conversation include: - The pivotal role of aluminum extrusions in key industries, notably automotive and transportation. - The intricate process of the trade investigation on aluminum extrusions, encompassing the filing of petitions and the determination of dumping and subsidization. - The broad scope of the investigation, encompassing a variety of products and countries. - The importance for companies to be proactive, specifically in reviewing their supply chain and determining the sourcing country for aluminum extrusions. - The various engagement opportunities in the investigation, including the submission of comments and participation in the International Trade Commission's (ITC) proceedings.

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will co-lead a research project looking into how 3D printing can transform healthcare through personalised medicine. The PROCEED 3D (Process Control for Extrusion-based 3D-printing of Personalised Medicine) project is co-led by Dr Marion McAfee, ATU's senior lecturer and Dr Rabah Mouras and Prof Gavin Walker at the University of Limerick. As the world's population ages and the one-size-fits-all approach to medicine is often inadequate, 3D printing of personalised medicine could be a game-changer in tailoring healthcare solutions, particularly for the elderly population, as it offers a new level of precision and personalisation in treatment by including several drugs in a single tablet at customisable doses. This approach improves treatment outcomes and empowers healthcare providers to create patient-centric solutions to enhance overall well-being. One of the key benefits is for older people, says project lead Dr Marion McAfee: "Personalised medicine is all about tailoring therapy to the individual patient's specific needs, taking into account their age and gender and their body mass, and the fact that they might have multiple conditions that all need treatment. With 3D printing, we can print the pill and combine all the drugs that a patient needs in a single pill that they take once a day, making it safer and easier for them, instead of taking multiple different pills each day and trying to remember which pill to take and when which could result in several problems for the patient". She adds: "3D printing could be the key technology in such cases because it allows us to develop a pill or medical implant specific to that patient's needs, available to them in their local pharmacy or hospital."

Welcome back to another edition of our Week in Review! In this episode, we dive into two compelling cases that shed light on the challenges individuals face in the realm of orthopedic and neurosurgical interventions. First up, we follow the inspiring journey of a dedicated runner battling stenosis. Join us as we explore the impact of spinal stenosis on an athlete's life, the diagnostic process, and the tailored treatment plan that allows our patient to reclaim their passion for running. Next, we delve into a lumbar extrusion case with a resultant discectomy. Gain insights into the intricacies of the procedure, the postoperative recovery, and the positive outcomes achieved. This real-life scenario provides valuable information for those navigating similar medical challenges or interested in the advancements of spinal surgery. Our expert panel of healthcare professionals breaks down each case, discussing the medical nuances, treatment strategies, and the importance of patient-centric care. Whether you're a healthcare professional, student, or simply curious about medical advancements, this week's review promises to be both informative and engaging. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefarmcast/message

AEC Extrusion Kits: PSU Capstone Project Teams Interview In 2023, AEC sponsored three capstone projects with the Pennsylvania State University engineering department. These projects are designed to develop aluminum extrusion kits for use by high school STEAM students, teachers and universities to support education in Science, Technology Engineering, the Arts and Math. Craig Werner, podcast host and AEC Workforce Development and Academic Engagement Team member), worked with Bonnell Aluminum, the supplier of the TSlots® extrusion components for the kits, Metal Exchange Corp./Pennex Aluminum, who hosted students at their Leetonia, Ohio extrusion facility, and Almag Aluminum, which has been part of this long-term development effort since inception.   Two projects were sponsored by AEC for the fall 2023 semester. Learn how well the concept connected with high school and university students and teachers, and how fun it was for all to use aluminum extrusions to support their education in this informative episode for AEC members, high school and university instructors, who may be interested in being a future “test site” for future extrusion kits.

Predictions abound for industries that allegedly will be upended by artificial intelligence, or AI. Will Uber drivers and truck drivers be replaced by AI-powered self-driving vehicles? Will writers and journalists be displaced by ChatGPT and its competitors? While many of our physical tasks have now been replaced by machines, it's possible that in the future many of our cognitive tasks will also be replaced by machines that can do a better and faster job than we can, and for a lot less money. This has relevance for many industries, but what about plant-based meat? Nearly all plant-based meat is produced through a technology called extrusion—basically a fancy way of saying a lot of pressure and a lot of heat. Extrusion technology is what transforms plant proteins like soy and pea into foods that are textured more like animal meat, and therefore can be turned into something like a Beyond or Impossible burger. But harnessing the power of extrusion can be expensive, slow, and finicky. Some refer to it as equal parts science and art, and it requires innumerable trial-and-error tests to get the texture you want. Parameters include temperature, pressure, moisture level, screw speed, feedstock ingredients, and more, meaning there are virtually infinite permutations of formulas you could test—requiring more resources than most small start-ups have. But what if AI could be used to better predict the results of extrusion tests, and could therefore help guide the experimental process, slashing the number of experiments actually needed? That's what Noa Weiss is betting, and it's why the long-time vegan founded GreenProtein AI, a new nonprofit organization spun out of Food Systems Innovations which is designed to assist for-profit companies in the alt-meat space with its AI and machine learning expertise. In addition to her career as a data science and machine learning engineer, Noa's driving goal for the past decade has revolved around working to wean humanity off its addiction to animal meat. Affiliated with both the Good Food Institute and Israel's Modern Agriculture Foundation, the AI expert is now taking her love of all things data and AI and marrying that love with her passion to help animals.  In this episode, I talk with Noa about how she thinks AI can be harnessed to make better-textured alternative meat, why she started GreenProtein AI, and where she plans to go next in her promising career. We even talk about sentience, from insects to machines! Discussed in this episode GreenProtein AI was spun out of Food Systems Innovations Noa's work has been profiled in Vegconomist, AgFunder News, Green Queen and more. Noa recommends the Getting Things Done methodology. She works with the Deep Voice Foundation to use AI to protect marine mammals like whales She also adheres to the principles expressed in Deep Work. For her personal health, Noa views Dr. Michael Greger's How Not to Die as essential Paul also recommends Dr. Greger's latest book, How Not to Age, and Jonathan Balcombe's Super Fly. More about Noa Weiss Noa Weiss has been working with data for over a decade, both in academia and in the tech industry. Prior to consulting, she worked for companies such as Armis and PayPal, utilizing big data and machine learning for fraud prevention, risk mitigation, and everything cybersecurity.  Today she works with both startups and more established companies, helping them use their data - and today's AI & machine learning technology - to drive success.Though she works with companies from all domains, she has a special focus on the field of Alternative Proteins and FoodTech. Noa also founded and leads the Israeli community of Women in Data Science, utilizes machine learning for whale preservation with the Deep Voice foundation, and offers her expertise with AI and data under the Good Food Institute mentoring program, as well as with the Modern Agriculture Foundation.

Traders are well-aware of the ADD/CVD petition filed involving 15 countries covering a broad scope of aluminum extrusions and related products. But companies need to understand when duty liability can accrue and what can be done to prepare for and possibly avoid such business intrusion.

Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Winner Drew Klopfenstein First-place winner in the 2023 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition, Drew Klopfenstein from Purdue University, with AEC members Duncan Crowdis, Alexandria Industries, and Craig Werner, Werner Extrusion Solutions talk about Drew's award-winning design. Duncan and Craig get into the details about the Design Competition and what the judges are looking for when evaluating the entries. They discuss Drew's design of a modular aluminum extruded traffic light and his learning curve about the aluminum extrusion design process, his tips to other students on participating in the competition, including getting feedback from fellow design students to help improve the design, and more. For more information and to see Drew's winning design, visit ETFdesign.org or AEC.org/DesignCompetition

Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Winner Brady Hawks  Brady Hawks, Second Place winner of the 2023 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition and Industrial Design student at Purdue University in Indiana, talks with competition judge Craig Werner about his winning design. Brady discusses his electric motorcycle design, the inspiration for the design and how his background in the bicycle industry informed the design process, digging deep into research on the manufacturing process, alloys, design versatility and functionality that can be built in with extrusions, what he learned from participating in the competition, and more. Visit ETFdesign.org or AEC.org/DesignCompetition to see Brady's award-winning design and learn how you can enter the competition for 2024! 

Steve Maxson sits down with John Brunelle, President of ProSystems Integration to discuss Extrusion Control Platforms including discrete and touchscreen controls. ProSystems provides complete control system solutions from conception to production. Their experienced team works closely with your staff to customize the most cost effective system possible.For more information, visit www.prosystemsllc.com Host: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest : John Brunelle | President | ProSystems IntegrationAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersProducer/ Editor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US ExtruderFor video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

Steve Maxson Speaks with Norbert Ansay, R&D Manager at High Performance Medical Solutions (HPMS), a Proterial Cable America Company about medical extrusion. The discuss the topics of multi-lumen, high-temperature plastics, PEEK, high pressure braided tubing, clean rooms, endoscopy, and more. At High Performance Medical Solutions (HPMS), a Proterial Group Company, they understand medical tubing and cables are mission critical in the value-stream for the surgical, vascular, endoscopy, and ultrasound device markets. That's why they offer robust in-house solutions for extrusion and wire, including secondary operations like tipping, printing, punching, sub-assembly for catheters, medical machining, and custom tooling. Their vertically integrated ISO Class 8 and Class 9 Cleanrooms provide over 30,000 ft2 of clean room space, enabling us to kit devices and package products for faster turnaround times. Their team of experienced professionals uses cutting-edge equipment and processes to ensure that our products are reliable and effective. At HPMS, They prioritize quality, continuous improvement and innovation, while staying at the forefront of the CMO industry.For more information, visit https://usa.proterial.comHost: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest : Rayne DuPaul | Vice President of Corporate Marketing | HPMSGuest : Norbert Ansay | R&D Manager | HPMSAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersProducer/ Editor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US Extruder For video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

Another Solo Episode between Eric and Colby where they dive into one of their favorite topics: Building Vans with 80/20 Extruded Aluminum. Here is an outline of our discussion. 0. As a reminder, if you're looking to get your hands on some 80/20, if you purchase through our link then 5% will automatically be taken off your purchase price when you check out! Help support this new podcast and the work that we do and save yourself some money while you are at it! 1. Hear about why weight is so important to manage in a conversion van. 2. We define exactly what 80/20 is and talk a little bit about its general properties. Hint: 80/20 is just a brand name! 3. Then we dive into where you can use 80/20 in your van conversion. It's pretty much everywhere, but here are the things we move recommend building with 80/20. Your Bed Supports Your Upper Cabinets Your Main Kitchen Galley 4. Our absolutely biggest tip for working with 80/20? Loosely fit things together first, and when you are all done use blue Loctite 242 to lock things together! this isn't just recommended, it's imperative! 5. Is there anything we would NOT build with 80/20? Probably just a single thing in an entire conversion van. That's right - the headliner shelf. Vancillary (code: EWVL for 10% off) makes great brackets and a 3/8" plywood shelf will suit all your needs. Our Complete Guide to Building Your Campervan with 80/20!

Challenges to Aluminum Extrusion for BEV Growth Abey Abraham, principal of Ducker Carlisle and Mark Butterfield, president of manufacturing for Metal Exchange Corporation, the parent company of Pennex Aluminum, discuss the recent Ducker Research study that examines the use of aluminum extrusion in battery electric vehicles through the end of this decade. Challenges that need to be addressed, according to OEMs and Tier suppliers, to make the expected substantial BEV growth a potential reality – and the important role that extrusions may play are explored. Extrusion industry capacity, multi-material solutions, joining, sustainability and other issues are addressed in this noteworthy episode.

The past decade has seen doubling in per-vehicle aluminum extrusion use in North American passenger vehicles.  More recently, significant additional growth has emerged from aluminum extrusion's role in battery electric vehicles (BEV) applications.  To better understand the likely future, AEC asked Ducker Research to examine the implications of the BEV market on extrusion use through the end of the decade. Abey Abraham, Principal at Ducker Carlisle, and Lynn Brown, Marketing Strategy Consultant for AEC, talk about the BEV market and aluminum extrusions.  They explore some key drivers, enablers and constraints for BEV demand as well as potential disruptors. In addition to discussing the future volume and market share of BEVs and hybrid electric vehicles, they explore the role of extrusions specific to BEVs, including battery boxes and battery protection/rockers.

Actions Designers and Specifiers Can Take to Reduce the Embodied Carbon in Aluminum Extrusion Bonnell Aluminum's Division Marketing Director, Guy Charpentier, and AEC's Marketing Consultant, Lynn Brown, dig deeper into the 2022 update of AEC's Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). They revisit the major conclusions from a deeper analysis of the AEC EPDs and explore a subsequent sensitivity analysis that demonstrates the impact on embodied carbon that purchaser decisions can have. By adjusting certain “levers” in the sourcing of the raw material, specifiers, designers and architects can reduce the embodied carbon of their products by simply working with their aluminum extruder to meet their environmental impact goals. Learn how in this informative episode

Actions Designers and Specifiers Can Take to Reduce the Embodied Carbon in Aluminum Extrusion Bonnell Aluminum's Division Marketing Director, Guy Charpentier, and AEC's Marketing Consultant, Lynn Brown, dig deeper into the 2022 update of AEC's Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). They revisit the major conclusions from a deeper analysis of the AEC EPDs and explore a subsequent sensitivity analysis that demonstrates the impact on embodied carbon that purchaser decisions can have. By adjusting certain “levers” in the sourcing of the raw material, specifiers, designers and architects can reduce the embodied carbon of their products by simply working with their aluminum extruder to meet their environmental impact goals. Learn how in this informative episode.

Steve sits with Tyler Ware, Owner and President, of GenX Medical to discuss some of the unique challenges and opportunities associated with medical extrusion.GenX Medical is a custom medical tubing supplier specializing in micro-bore tubing, bioresorbable extrusions, multi-lumen tubing, and more. They are dedicated to quick delivery of prototype quantities of custom medical extrusions, but can also handle production quantity orders.For more information, visit www.genxmeds.comHost: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest : Tyler Ware | Owner and President | GenX MedicalAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersProducer/ Editor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US ExtruderFor video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

Steve Maxson discusses medical extrusion for medical devices with Patrick Daly, Director of Extrusion at Biomerics. They discuss multi-lumen extrusions, elongation values of balloon tubing, polyurethane tubing, outer jacket extrusions for hypotube-based shafts, and more.Biomerics is a vertically integrated medical device contract manufacturer serving the interventional device market. Over nearly three decades, they've grown from one location to a vertically integrated medical device contract manufacturing partner with nine facilities. What makes them unique is their engineering depth. Through investment and acquisition, they've strategically added all the core technologies—both materials and processes—to meet the needs of the interventional marketplace.For more information, visit www.biomerics.comHost: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest : Patrick Daly | Director of Extrusion | BiomericsAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersProducer/ Editor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US ExtruderFor video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

Steve Maxson discusses silicone extrusion for medical devices with Paul Mazelin, CEO of Simedex. Paul dives into some of the differences between silicone extrusions for class II vs class III devices, Mico extrusions, ShapeShift Technology and more.SiMEDEx Inc. is an ISO 13485 certified company based in Paso Robles, CA. SiMEDEx that extrudes precision silicone tubing for medical device applications. The company has a robust quality system supporting the medical device community in both implantable and non-implantable applications.For mor information, visit www.simedex.comHost: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest : Paul Mazelin | CEO | SimedexAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersProducer/ Editor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US ExtruderFor video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/janus-gpt-wrangling Janus (pseudonym by request) works at AI alignment startup Conjecture. Their hobby, which is suspiciously similar to their work, is getting GPT-3 to do interesting things. For example, with the right prompts, you can get stories where the characters become gradually more aware that they are characters being written by some sort of fiction engine, speculate on what's going on, and sometimes even make pretty good guesses about the nature of GPT-3 itself. Janus says this happens most often when GPT makes a mistake - for example, writing a story set in the Victorian era, then having a character take out her cell phone. Then when it tries to predict the next part - when it's looking at the text as if a human wrote it, and trying to determine why a human would have written a story about the Victorian era where characters have cell phones - it guesses that maybe it's some kind of odd sci-fi/fantasy dream sequence or simulation or something. So the characters start talking about the inconsistencies in their world and whether it might be a dream or a simulation. Each step of this process is predictable and non-spooky, but the end result is pretty weird. Can the characters work out that they are in GPT-3, specifically? The closest I have seen is in a story Janus generated. It was meant to simulate a chapter of the popular Harry Potter fanfic Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality. You can see the prompt and full story here, but here's a sample. Professor Quirrell is explaining “Dittomancy”, the creation of magical books with infinite possible worlds: “We call this particular style of Dittomancy ‘Variant Extrusion', Mr. Potter..I suppose the term ‘Extrusion' is due to the fact that the book did not originally hold such possibilities, but is fastened outside of probability space and extruded into it; while ‘Variant' refers to the manner in which it simultaneously holds an entire collection of possible narrative branches. [...] [Tom Riddle] created spirits self-aware solely on the book's pages, without even the illusion of real existence. They converse with each other, argue with each other, compete, fight, helping Riddle's diary to reach new and strange expressions of obscure thought. Their sentence-patterns spin and interwine, transfiguring, striving to evolve toward something higher than an illusion of thought. From those pen-and-ink words, the first inferius is molded.” Harry's mind was looking up at the stars with a sense of agony. “And why only pen and ink, do you ask?” said Professor Quirrell. “There are many ways to pull spirits into the world. But Riddle had learned Auror secrets in the years before losing his soul. Magic is a map of a probability, but anything can draw. A gesture, a pattern of ink, a book of alien symbols written in blood - any medium that conveys sufficient complexity can serve as a physical expression of magic. And so Riddle draws his inferius into the world through structures of words, from the symbols spreading across the page.”

Steve Maxson discusses transforming extrusion from an art to a science with Systematic Extrusion's CEO, Braulio Polanco.Systematic Extrusion is the pioneer in hands-on extrusion training. They have developed a data-driven systematic approach based on scientific principles that enable extrusion manufactures to produce high quality product consistently and effectively every time. For more information, visit www.systematicextrusion.comHost: Steve Maxson | Innovation & Business Development Manager | US ExtrudersGuest : Braulio Polanco | Founder & CEO | Systematic ExtrusionAnnouncer: Bill Kramer | President | US ExtrudersProducer/ Editor/ Original Music: Eric Adair | Marketing Manager | US ExtrudersFor video episodes visit www.us-extruders.com/podcasts

Welcome to our 100th episode! Laura, Krysta and Dean celebrate their 100th episode with the first part of a two week long celebration of all things Family Plot! Before we begin the festivities, we take a moment to address the recent Supreme Court unpleasantness in addressing the overturning of Roe v. Wade. After we make our feelings clear on this important issue, we then turn to Krysta as she drops some weird facts about Disney, both the man and his company. From there, we launch into a discussion of Black Eyed Kids. Who are they? What are they? Where do they come from? We discuss Brian Bethel, and share stories of Black Eyed Kids, including one from Dean himself! This is possibly our best episode yet!

Phillip Faulkner owns Avid Boats in Armory, Mississippi. He's the son of a boat builder and once the family business was sold, Phillip knew he needed to be back in the business as a innovator and decision maker. He's created new tools that shape the aluminum in a unique way, giving the boat the light-weight and low-cost of aluminum with appearance and elegance of a fiber glass boat. He's a millennial, in his early thirties, and is quite impressive. Thanks to Show Sponsors: E3 Termite and Pest Control Keith Air Conditioning Trey Langus - Transworld Business Advisors Allison Horner - State Farm Agent Bud-Busch Distributing Sandifer Wealth Management Bryant Bank Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE) Persons Services Corp.

Construction 3D Printing with Anna Cheniuntai, CEO of Apis Cor Inc Anna's construction 3D Printing goal is to make housing truly affordable and available. Her company is Apis Cor. It's leading the world in construction 3D printing. For example, her company builds the shell of a home 9x faster than traditional models. And 30% cheaper! Apis Cor - Where Did The Name Come From? The idea came from honey bees! Apis means honey bee in Latin. Honey bees were the first to use an extrusion process. Extrusion is the process of forming something by pushing something out through a small opening. Honey bees do this all the time to build their homes. Cor means heart in Latin. So, the name Apis Cor was inspired by the first animals to build 3D in the world. Honey Bees!  Credit: Photorama As Anna says, we should be thankful to nature for providing inspiration. Ambition Beyond Earth Apis Cor uses robotics and autonomous construction technology. These skills are ideal for creating buildings on the Moon and Mars and beyond. http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-Beyond-Earth.mp4 Therefore, will Apis Cor use local sand on Mars to create the mortar needed? Yes. Firstly, that means you don't need to ship the mortar all the way from Earth. Secondly, to avoid the huge cost of doing so. This means Apis Cor will be examining ways to build locally whenever they can. Anna believes the local material on the Moon or Mars will have to be mixed with a special compound from Earth to achieve the desired construction 3D printing quality. Will Apis Cor Build on Mars? More specifically, will Anna realise her dream of 3D printing on Mars? Alongside a company like SpaceX, she thinks it is possible. http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-Span-of-Annas-Career.mp4 What Does Apis Cor Do Today? Kevin wanted to bring us back down to Earth! He asked the question, what does Apis Cor do today? http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-What-Do-Apis-Cor-Do.mp4 Anna has named the robots. Frank does the extrusion process. Gary mixes the 3D print material and pumps it to Frank. Mary is the bulk delivery truck. Frank was inspired by Frank Floyd, a recognised Architect. He designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. He died in the same year that Graham was born! Gary came from the cartoon Sponge-Bob Square Pants! Mary just fit with Frank and Gary! Here's Mary! Isn't she elegant? Are There Any Limitations? Firstly, the number of floors is restricted to 3. That's about it. http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-Limitations.mp4 What PROBLEM is Apis Cor Solving? Apis Cor solves an outdated construction industry. Traditional construction just cannot keep up with demand. Especially, when you consider worldwide housing needs. For example, in the USA, there is a shortage of 5 million houses. The problem is the industry relies on skilled labour that is limited. It is getting older and very expensive too. This means, construction companies cannot increase productivity to build more homes. The problem is the speed, quality and cost of construction. This creates an affordability and availability problem. http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-Construction-Problems.mp4 Apis Cor are Creating a New Type of Construction Worker - Robot Operator! http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-Robot-Operators.mp4 You have to watch this: A short video of how Apis Cor built the World's Largest 3D Printed Building. Shell of House Build Productivity Gains It's the shell of the house that's really important to building affordable homes. Apis Cor are ahead of the market in this critical respect. http://thenext100days.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-Cheniuntai-Shell-of-House.mp4 Wow!

ET Chairman Craig Werner talks with Professor Wojtek Misiolek, Director of the Loewy Institute at Lehigh University, and top-rated instructor of AEC's popular Extrusion Excellence Course. Learn about this one-day course, which will be offered two times at ET '22, from the extrusion process expert who brings theory and practice together, providing a fundamental engineering approach to the aluminum extrusion process.

Duncan Crowdis and Craig Werner provide an overview of the Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition, the benefits for students and instructors and they talk with a student, Andrew Schoenjahn, from Grand Valley State University in Michigan, and leader of the GVSU Design Club.  Andrew shares his thoughts on how the Design Competition will help his fellow Design Club members in their future careers and how AEC's resources have already given them a better understand of aluminum extrusions.

ET '22 Chairman Craig Werner and ET Vice Chair Jerome Fourmann discuss what to look forward to at ET '22 this May in Orlando, FL. Frank Kraft, ET Extrusion/Die Theoretical (TH) Track Chair, talks about technical paper highlights in his track and discusses the importance of these theoretical papers—and how the concepts presented often become the technology of the not-too-distant future.  Jerome explains the elements of ET and how to save money when registering early and with a team.

Craig and Jerome talk with Extrusion Equipment (EE) Track Chair Chip Edwards, who recently retired from Cardinal Aluminum. Chip reveals the interesting topics in the EE Track, how the information gathered at the EE Track sessions can help extrusion professionals improve their operations, the inner workings of being a Track Chair for ET, and why extrusion industry professionals need to attend ET '22 next May.

ET '22 Chairman Craig Werner and ET Vice Chair Jerome Fourmann talk with Mark Butterfield of Magnode – A Shape Corp. Company and ET Extrusion/Die Practical (EP) Track Chair. Mark shares his insights on one of the most popular tracks at ET, highlighting some topic trends, technical papers that stand out, and what delegates can expect to take away from attending the sessions in this track.

Join me as I summarise Mona Ghoussoub's lecture looking at the excessive gingival display (EGD). Mona looked at the diagnosis and treatment of EGD, with a focus on aetiology leading to treatment method, effect of age, and input of multidisciplinary care for appropriate cases. Definition Kokich 1999, Machado 2014 · Negative effects = 4mm + gingival display Treatment approach Early treatment o Medical ENT allergology o Excessive gingival show age 7-8 years o Nasal obstruction causes decrease in lip closing force Sabashi 2011 o Detect and refer ENT if suspect nasal obstruction § Dark eyes § Flat cheeks § Increase LAFH o Orthodontic – prevention o Utility arch § Intrusion upper anterior teeth § 4 brackets and molar bands § Retain with 2 layers of Essix + brass wire – for rigidity Late treatment o Orthodontic o Alignment § 2 occlusal planes in maxilla in 2 div 2, posterior higher, anterior lower · Straight wire – reciprocal effects o Intrusion of anterior teeth o Extrusion of posterior teeth o Expansion § RME · Posterior expansion = gingival position moves upwards o When constricted, greater posterior gingival show o Intrusion § Ricketts / Burstone 3 piece intrusion arch § Headgear – J hook intrude upper anterior teeth § TAD placement for anterior intrusion · UR1-UL1 labial · Powerchain archwire to TAD § TAD for posterior intrusion · U5-U6 region buccal · Direct retraction U3- TAD o Below centre of rotation = posterior intrusion o MDT o Periodontics § Gingivectomy – passive over-eruption of dentition · Ideal where tooth width:height ratio increased § Guided Tissue Regeneration for VME · Stable after 1 year · 40-60% improvement in excessive gingival growth, with crown lengthening · Bony cavity at anterior superior aspect of maxilla o Results in the lip raising higher o Bone augmented at the level of the Le-fort 1 o Can be clinically simulated with cotton wool rolls in upper labial sulcus and taking photos o Orthognathic surgery § Decompensate · Maxillary impaction o Plastic surgery Pierre 2020 § Short lip / mild VME = lip repositioning surgery Rubinstein 1973 · Limit the smile muscle pull by reducing the depth of the upper vestibule– zygomaticus minor, levator Angulo, orbicularis oris, levator labil superior Tawfik 2018 · Conservative when compared to OGN · Technique o Split thickness flap – expose connective tissue o Advance mucosa and suture at mucogingival junction · Limited studies · Overcorrect as some relapse expected · Systematic review improve EGD 3-4mm Tawfik 2018 § Hypermobile lip – Botox Cengiz 2020 · Reduce muscle activity – levator labil superios LLSAN, zygomaticus minor / major, risorius muscle · NOT classified as an alternate treatment for EGD o Use = indication for patient outcomes possible for lip reposition · Temporary effects – relapse at 6 months · Problems o Dose related results o Excessive upper lip ptorsis o Too little – not achieve desired result o Smile effected if erroneous § = require expert to use

Andrew Halonen of Mayflower Consulting talks with AEC Industry Promotion consultant Lynn Brown about aluminum extrusion use in cross-car beams, or instrument panel structures. Andrew discusses the key requirements for instrument panel structures, the various materials (including steel) that OEMs are using, how extrusions can be used in hybrid material solutions, and what other types of vehicles might benefit from extruded aluminum instrument panel beams.