The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Product Test Center Analytics provided 3D printed assistance at its lab in Philadelphia for the Center of Automation leadership team.
The CoA teamed up with DLA Research and Devolvement, and the PTC to create 3D printed “Strategic Automation Coasters.”
Senior military personnel recognize outstanding individuals with a challenge coin. These official coins are customized by the issuer who hands them out. The CoA Citizen Development community decided to become trailblazers and issue coasters.
CoA mentioned, “Getting these physical tokens into your hands today was a journey in itself. It is a story that perfectly encapsulates exactly who we are, what we do and why this community is our greatest strength.”
“The cross-enterprise sync symbolizes the art of possibilities for demand signals, digital design and blueprinting, and additive manufacturing,” said Research and Development Program Manager and Industrial Engineer Lori SmithMitchell. “Serving as high-visibility tokens of recognition, these items celebrate and incentivizecitizen developers, reinforcing a culture of grassroots technical innovation and operational excellence across the agency.”
Starting his mission during the third week in August, PTC Engineer Lawrence Greco would start a batch prior to the start of his workday, then another before leaving.
“We created 52 coasters since coming up with the prototype,” said Greco. “With each batch we were able to create four at a time, with trial and error. I believe we are doing the best we can with a machine from 2014, that the Navy no longer needed.”
“I think these turned out to be amazing,” said Research and Development Senior Logistics Analyst Jonathan Adkins. “I really enjoy the slight gloss to them—they are not a matte finish. The collaboration during this process has been great and it shows in the final product. Looking forward to when PTC Analytics starts shipping them out.”
“This all started from a 3D hand model we printed last year,” added PTC Analytical Lab Manager Mike McClain. “I am excited about the possibilities of what could be next.”
| Date Taken: |
09.08.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
09.14.2026 09:20 |
| Story ID: |
574604 |
| Location: |
PHILADELPHIA, US |
| Web Views: |
16 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, DLA Troop Support PTC showcases more 3D print capability, by Maurice Matthews, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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