Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 5 18 M A N U FA C T U R I N G / I N T E R N AT I O N A L T R A D E accessible manufacturing is particularly powerful for Maine entrepreneurs who can now compete nationally." 'Tool in the toolbox' Among entrepreneurs who've been doing 3D printing for more than decade, Michael Vickery in Biddeford makes a wide range of products from industrial fixtures to consumer products like LED-illuminated knobs attached to ropes that performers swing around on stage at festivals. A former adjunct professor and operations manager at the University of New England, he named his company STEAMfruit LLC from "STEM" and "art" to reflect his combined interests — though the "fruit" part has caused some confusion over the years. Working on his own with subcon- tractors as needed, Vickery says that "3D printing has become just a tool in the toolbox." Currently focused on industrial design and rapid prototyp- ing, he says he expects to make equip- ment upgrades in coming months. "What keeps my interest is the rapid advancement of this technology, which is fascinating to follow but dif- ficult to keep up with," Vickery says from his workshop inside Pepperell Mill. "It changes so quickly that my equipment can become obsolete in a couple of years." Bending with the times Based at the Roux's Founder Residency in Portland, Jaison Patel and Josh Baum of Tubender have pio- neered a portable machine for electri- cians to bend metal conduit — used to protect electrical wires and cables — faster and with less waste than conventional methods. As the engineers-turned-entrepre- neurs gear up to move from prototyping to beta testing, Patel says they expect to price the machine at a fraction of the $1 million than current tools fetch. "While Tubender uses the same programming language used by 3D printers, the portable machine works by forming or shaping an existing material rather than adding materials; the prototype also has some parts that have been 3D printed through that may not be the case when they launch commercially in about 18 months. "I don't think the state of manu- facturing is at a state where we can do additive manufacturing with tubing just yet," says Patel. "It definitely could happen in the future." Back in the surfing universe, Ballin says he aims to buy a second 3D printer at some point – the first was funded with a $25,000 Maine Technology Institute grant — and possibly move to a bigger space. Boards are priced at $700 to $900 as the owners take a mea- sured approach to growth. "Although we think that our boards could be worth a lot more, we want more people to buy them," he says. Ironically, that might give him even less time for his waterborne hobby. Renee Cordes, Mainebiz deputy editor, can be reached at rcordes @ mainebiz.biz » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Manufacturing Law, Made Simple Our dedicated team helps manufacturers untangle legal questions and seize opportunities —to keep your operations moving forward. VERRILL-LAW.COM Jaison Patel, co- founder and CEO of Tubender, and his business partner have pioneered a portable machine to bend electrical conduit. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY I don't think the state of manufacturing is at a state where we can do additive manufacturing with tubing just yet. — Jaison Patel Tubender At STEAMfruit LLC in Biddeford, Michael Vickery makes a range of products from industrial fixtures to props for stage performers. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F O C U S

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