Why Multi Jet Fusion is the Future: A Conversation with Fardin Bar
At the intersection of applied research, community building, and product design, few people embody innovation quite like Fardin Barekat. As a Research Associate at BCIT’s Center for Applied Research and Innovation, he spends his days investigating emerging 3D printing technologies, testing their limits, and exploring how they can be applied in real-world contexts. But his work does not stop at the laboratory door. Through ventures in education, consulting, and design, he is shaping how communities and industries alike understand the potential of additive manufacturing.
From Research to Real-World Impact
At BCIT, Fardin’s role is as much about discovery as it is about evaluation. “My focus is on performing research on different 3D printing technologies and evaluating them,” he explains. “That means testing their strengths, weaknesses, and figuring out where they can really make an impact.”
Yet his career extends far beyond BCIT. As the co-founder of Zen Maker Lab, a makerspace devoted to STEAM education, Fardin works to introduce children and teenagers to engineering in a way that is accessible, engaging, and hands-on. “The whole point of Zen Maker Lab is to give people of all ages the opportunity to explore and create. For kids especially, it’s about learning by doing.”
Alongside his educational work, Fardin runs Barekat Design Services, his own consulting practice. “I help individuals and companies with both electrical and mechanical design services for products and prototypes,” he says. “Sometimes it’s about taking a raw idea and figuring out how to make it real, and sometimes it’s about refining a prototype into something production-ready.”
He also collaborates closely with Upsurge3D, where he takes on the role of designer and contractor, creating complex parts that push the boundaries of what’s possible with advanced additive manufacturing.
The Limitations of Traditional 3D Printing
Most people familiar with 3D printing think of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers. These machines have become a staple for hobbyists, educators, and even small businesses. But as Fardin explains, “A lot of printers on the market are of the FDM type with a single nozzle for plastic extrusion, and they tend to take a long time for printing. These printers lack strength in the Z axis and are usually only meant for representation and art pieces, and rarely for functional finished products.”
In other words, FDM is useful but limited. It can help visualize designs, but when it comes to functional products, its shortcomings in speed and strength hold it back.
Why Multi Jet Fusion is a Game-Changer
This is where Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) proves transformative. The difference, Fardin says, is night and day. “MJF technology is a game changer since it can produce parts very fast,” he notes. “We tested a lattice type structure for print time. On an FDM printer, it took more than five days, and on MJF it was only six hours.”
The leap isn’t just about time—it’s about usability. “What’s more interesting is that MJF can produce functional and finished products,” Fardin emphasizes. “I designed a water bike propeller for Upsurge3D and the prop was printed in PA12 Nylon. It is a finished product.”
For companies used to long lead times and limited materials, this shift unlocks a new level of possibility. Prototypes can become production-ready components in a single step.
Beyond Prototyping: A Vision for Distributed Manufacturing
Looking to the future, Fardin sees MJF as part of a broader shift toward distributed, sustainable manufacturing. Instead of designing in one country, producing in another, and shipping globally, companies can print locally while thinking globally.
“3D printing has a very bright future,” he says with certainty. “With these technologies, we are going to see more sophisticated and advanced products. More and more companies are using 3D printing as part of their production line.”
But it goes even further than that. “Companies can virtually expand their product horizon by having printers around the world and sending the print job remotely,” Fardin explains. “By doing this, there is no need for shipping of products, which is greener and reduces costs.”
For industries grappling with supply chain challenges and sustainability goals, this distributed model is not just attractive—it’s essential.
Inspiring the Next Generation
What makes Fardin’s story compelling is not only his work with advanced technologies but also his commitment to education and mentorship. Through Zen Maker Lab, he is helping young people get comfortable with tools like 3D printing early in their lives. “I think it’s so important for kids to see themselves as makers,” he reflects. “When they realize they can design something on a screen and then hold it in their hands, it’s a moment of empowerment. That’s what we want to create.”
For Fardin, inspiring the next generation is as critical as pushing the technology itself. “These kids are going to grow up to be the engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs who take 3D printing even further than we can imagine today.”
Looking Ahead
Whether he is testing advanced printers at BCIT, designing functional components for Upsurge3D, or teaching young learners at Zen Maker Lab, Fardin Barekat sits at the center of the 3D printing revolution. He bridges research, industry, and education in a way that demonstrates both the practical power of today’s technologies and the limitless potential of tomorrow’s.
As he puts it, “3D printing is only going to get bigger. We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible.”
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