The Coolest Cool Parts

Asking The Cool Parts Show team to pick a favorite episode is like asking someone to pick their favorite kid. You love them all and have worked so hard to make them great, that the question is completely unfair.

So, I asked them anyway. It triggered some conversations about how far the series has come and what 3D printing is bringing to the world.

Here’s the list of the team’s favorite episodes:

Viewers Like You

First, your favorite was the 3D Printed End Mill. This was by far our most popular video, and has racked up thousands of views. You’re a practical lot and you know what you want your cool parts to do — make more cool parts.

Stephanie Hendrixson, Co-host and Senior Editor

Our intrepid host Stephanie picked a heartwarming story about a mom returning to the sport she loved with the help of 3D printing.

“The episode we did with Sarah Piersanti was my favorite so far. For those who haven’t seen it (yet!) Sarah is a mom and martial arts enthusiast who lost her hearing suddenly several years ago. She received a cochlear implant that restored her ability to hear, but the device is so delicate it prevented her from practicing jiu-jitsu or even just casually playing with her kids. Fortunately, she found Brent Wright, a clinician who is also the cofounder of 3D printing contract manufacturer Additive America. Working together they came up with a 3D printed helmet that protects Sarah’s implant and has made a huge impact on her quality of life. It’s such a compelling story about this amazing woman, and I loved that we got to weave all three perspectives (patient, clinician and manufacturer) into the episode.

“What viewers won’t see in the show is how long this took to put together. Zac Holcomb at Additive America reached out to me with the idea back in 2019, and the episode wasn’t finished until May of 2021! The long lead time actually makes it an even better story, though, because Sarah is still using that original 3D printed helmet more than two years later.”

Austin Grogan, Video Creation and Production Manager

You haven’t seen Austin on camera, but he’s the one behind it making sure everything is perfect. The episode featuring adorable meerkats was his pick.

“The part for this episode was in the testing process and conveniently located nearby our home office. As a result, we were able to reach out to the Cincinnati Zoo, who were kind enough to let us in before the crowds arrived to film the episode. This opened a slew of new opportunities that we don’t get while in the studio, like filming the meerkats actively using the part. Plus, we get to spend some time face-to-face with the experts and experience their enthusiasm about the part they’ve created and their excitement about being featured on the show.”

Peter Zelinski, Co-host and Editor-in-Chief

Pete, who is as steeped in additive technology as anyone can be and understands the nuance and power of 3D printing, liked the big, underwater machine.

“We’ve known all along that we would eventually come to a cool part too big to bring into the studio, but it took a little longer than I thought to come to that point. There were some possibilities for episodes on big parts that did not quite happen for one reason or another. When we had the first chance to film with the part inside the printer, I am glad this story worked out to be the one. It is a great application, an advantage of a phenomenon we get excited about: the inventor realizing new possibilities for their invention because of what additive manufacturing is making possible.

“But in addition, this was a good trip. It was late in the pandemic — Austin, Stephanie and I had not been traveling much and it felt good (felt a little like normal in certain moments) to be out and working on the show. Plus, it involved Additive Engineering Solutions. We have known this company from the beginning; they are friends and we are glad to have continued chances to work with them and report on some of their success.”

Katie Arnold, Assistant Digital Editor

Katie is the digital editor for The Cool Parts Show. If you’ve seen the show promoted anywhere, it was probably because of her. She got nostalgic for Season 1.

“I love this episode because it was in Season 1 of The Cool Parts Show and we were still feeling out what we were doing with this YouTube show. Pete and Stephanie decided to get hands-on and get really involved in the process (as they always do), and they got their feet scanned for these Aetrex orthotics. These insoles are custom-made for your foot. The concept of custom-use products created in a market that is additive-facing is exciting! Not to mention, we got to see Pete proudly stride through the office wearing his new orthotics.”

Coming Soon

Season 5 of The Cool Parts Show is on the way this fall, and we will have all sorts of new favorites once it drops. Follow the link to watch new episodes as they go live, revisit any of your favorites or check out any you haven’t seen.