Get to Know the A3D Team: Ryan Keegan
At A3D Manufacturing, every team member plays a vital role in delivering high-quality production parts. Today we’re spotlighting Ryan Keegan, 3D Printer Technician. Ryan brings fresh energy, attention to detail, and a creative mindset to the shop floor while continuing to grow in the exciting world of additive manufacturing.
How Ryan Got into Manufacturing
Ryan is relatively new to manufacturing, having started just two years ago as a deburr technician. Ryan is excited to keep learning about 3D printing and its many applications across industries.
A Day in the Life at A3D
Ryan arrives at 5 AM, making them the first one in the shop. The day begins with prepping and starting morning prints, followed by extracting and unpacking builds in production. Once the rest of the team arrives, Ryan moves on to cleaning parts and handling various other tasks around the shop.
How Ryan Joined A3D
Ryan’s close friend Jordan saw the 3D Printer Technician opening and recommended Ryan for the role. Ryan jumped at the opportunity and joined the team.
What Ryan Is Working On These Days
Ryan focuses on keeping the printers running smoothly and supporting day-to-day operations in the shop.
Highlights from the Shop Floor and Beyond
Side Quests & Pet Projects
Outside of work, Ryan is always refining Game Mastering skills for tabletop gaming groups and creating art for those campaigns. Currently, Ryan is working on digital painting portraits of player characters for one game. Ryan has also been busy upgrading and reorganizing their home after a recent move.
What Excites Ryan About the Future of Engineering and Manufacturing
Ryan is inspired by “the endless possibilities that continue to arise from the further development of technology.”
Time-Travel Dream Project
Ryan would travel back to help Leonardo da Vinci build his famous Flying Machine, then use it for elaborate Renaissance-era heists. “I’d be known as the greatest thief to ever live, but would surely perish in a botched getaway.”
The Manufacturing Change Ryan Wants to See
Ryan would love to see enthusiastic and drastic commitments to environmental sustainability from companies of all sizes, supported by strong legal regulations.
Advice for Anyone Considering a Manufacturing Career
Ryan offers this guidance: “Take opportunities to learn as often as they come, whether that be through new opportunities, successes, or even failures!”
Rapid Fire Questions
- Fussiest process: Manual blasting — “It will always vex me.”
- Easiest process: Extracting and filling build units — “It’s all automatic.”
- Cringiest sensory experience: Handling powdery parts without gloves — “The sensory experience makes my skin crawl a little.”
- Funniest people on the shop floor: Jordan excels at running gags, while Daniel brings the best memes.
- Favorite game: Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
What Ryan Wants to Learn Next
Ryan is eager to explore more about post-processing finishes for 3D printed parts, such as vapor smoothing and dyeing.
About Ryan Keegan
Ryan Keegan is a 3D Printer Technician at A3D Manufacturing living in the Phoenix area. New to the field, Ryan is learning about 3D printing as much as possible in order to ride the wave of this exciting technology. Ryan spends time outside of work playing tabletop games, making digital art, listening to all kinds of music, or watching movies with friends.
Stay tuned for more A3D team spotlights as we introduce the talented people powering American manufacturing!
Have a project that needs precision manufacturing? Reach out to the A3D team today.
