Digital Manufacturing as compared to traditional manufacturing, makes the entire process data-driven, thus ensuring accuracy, repeatability and efficiency by reducing material wastage, minimising manual labor, and improving processes.
Amar Kumar Myadam, our next pathbreaker, works as Technical Product Owner for 3D Printing Solutions at Gebiom Group (Germany), one of the earliest companies in Europe to develop custom 3D-printed insoles, serving orthopedic shoe and insole makers.
Amar talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his curiosity to explore how advanced materials like polymers and composites could be engineered to be lighter, stronger, and more sustainable, which shaped his career in digital manufacturing!
For students, work on making advanced manufacturing technologies more accessible and closer to people who need it the most.
Amar, your background?
I am currently living in Munster, Germany. I was born in Lingampet, a small town about 150 km from Hyderabad in Kamareddy district. My father ran an agricultural appliance and fertilizer shop, and though my parents had only basic schooling, they believed deeply in giving me the best education possible. Since there were no good English-medium schools nearby, they sent me to Gurukul Vidyapeeth High School in Ibrahimpatnam, Ranga Reddy district.
I was not a topper in school, just an average student, but I was always curious. I loved politics, history, and football, which taught me teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
What did you study?
After school, I pursued my bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Mallareddy College of Engineering and Technology. I also did my Master’s in Refinement of Polymers and Composite Products at Hochschule Kaiserslautern.
What were some of the influences that led you to a career in Digital Design and Manufacturing?
During my college years, I was driven by a dream — to do something that directly impacts people’s lives.
That motivation led me to join Liter of Light, Engineers Without Borders, and ABVP.
Through Liter of Light, I worked on projects that brought sustainable lighting to rural India , using a simple yet innovative idea of water bottles filled with water and bleach to refract sunlight into homes during the day, and solar-powered lighting at night. It was an incredible feeling to see a small idea bring such substantial change.
Through ABVP, I helped raise student issues to government bodies and institutions, from improving public transport access to addressing fee hikes. These experiences taught me that leadership is about service and responsibility, not position or power.
After graduation, I joined Monarch Ergonomics as a Project Executive Engineer, managing end-to-end execution of office furniture projects. Monarch was a pioneer in India’s office furniture industry, and it was here that I learned valuable skills in CAD, production planning, and project management.
But I wanted to create a larger impact — something connected to governance and people. That is when I applied to the Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC). Usually, IPAC hires from top-tier institutes like IITs and IIMs, and I faced multiple rejections when I applied during college. But I never gave up. Persistence finally paid off when one HR professional noticed my consistency and forwarded my application to the State Campaign Lead.
After clearing several interview rounds, I was among three people selected out of fifteen. To accept this opportunity, I had to resign from my stable job at Monarch, which was a bold move — but one that changed my life. At IPAC, I worked as a Campaign Manager, contributing to campaigns for three major political parties during the 2019 General Elections and playing a key role in implementing the Grama Sachivalayam initiative, a transformative model for grassroots governance in Andhra Pradesh.
In 2019, I moved to Germany to pursue my Master’s in Refinement of Polymers and Composite Products at Hochschule Kaiserslautern.
Tell us about your career path
During my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, I was exposed to a broad range of subjects — from designing, material science, and production technology to operations research and thermodynamics. However, my undergraduate studies focused primarily on metals and metal-based technologies, with very little emphasis on non-metallic materials such as polymers and composites.
This gap sparked my curiosity. I wanted to explore how advanced materials like polymers and composites could be engineered to be lighter, stronger, and more sustainable — and how they could shape the future of manufacturing. That motivation led me to pursue a Master’s in Product Refinement of Polymers and Composite Products at Hochschule Kaiserslautern, Germany.
The program’s focus is on understanding, refining, and applying advanced polymer and composite materials in industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical technology. It combines material science with manufacturing technologies and product development, making it ideal for someone with a mechanical background seeking specialization in emerging materials.
While master’s programs in Germany typically last 1.5 to 2 years, I took around three years to complete mine. This was mainly because I wanted to gain practical industry experience alongside my studies.
From February 2021 to July 2021, I completed an exchange semester at the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, focusing on logistics technologies — since I was also interested in trends and innovations in logistics and supply chain.
Later, I completed a one-year internship and master’s thesis at Think3DDD, a MedTech startup in Berlin, where I worked on 3D printing for medical applications such as orthoses and insoles.
These experiences not only extended my study duration but also gave me valuable hands-on exposure to cutting-edge materials, 3D printing, and product development. They ultimately laid the foundation for my current career in MedTech and 3D printing innovation.
During my exchange semester at the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, I had the opportunity to closely observe the growing EV ecosystem in Europe. While the adoption of electric vehicles was increasing rapidly, I noticed significant gaps in EV charging infrastructure and accessibility — especially in terms of user convenience and network integration.
That observation inspired me to conceptualize Blitzcharge, a one-stop platform for electric vehicle users to easily locate, access, and manage EV charging stations across regions. The vision was to make EV charging as seamless as refueling a conventional car, promoting sustainable mobility and supporting the transition to clean energy.
I worked on Blitzcharge part-time alongside my master’s studies, focusing on developing the business model, market strategy, and customer experience design. I also conducted secondary market research and traveled for about 8–9 months across different regions to understand the user and infrastructure challenges firsthand.
However, as the idea evolved, I realized that to scale Blitzcharge effectively, I needed strong technical resources, particularly in software development, and financial backing to build the platform. While I had a solid concept and strategy, the lack of a dedicated team and funding made it difficult to execute the vision at the desired scale.
Eventually, I decided to pause the venture, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. It taught me valuable lessons about building from scratch, validating ideas, understanding markets, and most importantly, the discipline and resilience needed to turn an idea into a reality.
How did you get your 1st break?
Getting a job in my field in Germany can be quite challenging, especially for international students. After completing my internship at Think3DDD, a MedTech startup in Berlin, I continued working there part-time on collaborative projects. My goal was to stay relevant in the industry and strengthen my product development skills while completing my master’s.
At Think3DDD, I worked closely with the founder, Mr. Tino Jacobi, supporting him on projects focused on 3D printing applications for medical products such as orthoses and insoles. This hands-on exposure to a startup environment gave me deep insights into product design, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration — skills that proved invaluable for my current role in 3D printing innovation.
It wasn’t a full-time position but rather a strategic continuation of my learning journey, blending academic research with real-world product development experience.
What were some of the challenges you faced?
As an international student, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding internship and job opportunities while managing living expenses — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global lockdowns severely affected industries related to manufacturing, product development, and 3D printing, which meant there were fewer openings and high competition for every role.
At the same time, adapting to a new culture and language was another hurdle. While technical skills can be learned in classrooms, effective communication in German, especially in professional and social contexts, took time and persistence to build. But these challenges also became my biggest teachers. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning — qualities that helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Where do you work now?
Today, I work at Gebiom Group in Germany as a Technical Product Owner for 3D Printing Solutions. Gebiom is one of the earliest companies in Europe to develop custom 3D-printed insoles, serving over 1,700 orthopedic shoe and insole makers. The company’s innovation has transformed traditional, manual processes into digital workflows, helping customers achieve higher comfort , especially in diabetic foot care.
What problems do you solve?
In traditional manufacturing, orthopedic shoe makers spend a lot of time taking manual measurements of a patient’s foot. Based on those measurements, they design and handcraft insoles using materials like leather, EVA foam, and sometimes adhesives or glues, which can be time-consuming, inconsistent, and sometimes even hazardous. The process also depends heavily on the individual technician’s skill — meaning results can vary from one pair to another.
In digital manufacturing, the entire process becomes data-driven and more precise. The patient’s foot is scanned using a 3D scanner, which captures exact measurements and pressure points. This data is stored digitally and can be accessed anytime for future adjustments or repeat orders.
Once the digital model is created, the insole is designed using CAD software and then produced through 3D printing — ensuring accuracy, repeatability, and comfort for the patient. This method also reduces material waste, minimizes manual labor, and eliminates the use of harmful substances like glues.
What are the skills required? How did you acquire them?
My time at Think3DDD and my university education prepared me for this role, where I use skills in CAD, 3D printing, electronics, documentation, and communication every day. Work involves resolving customer issues, leading product development, testing hardware and materials, coordinating with project partners, and onboarding new customers to digital manufacturing.
How does your work benefit society?
For patients, the value is clear: they get custom-fit comfort, better medical outcomes (especially for diabetic foot care), and safer, more sustainable products, which reduces waste and avoids harmful adhesives.
Memorable work?
I am involved with Kshetra Consulting as the founding director. The vision behind my involvement is to stay connected to public policy and governance, and to continue contributing to areas I am passionate about, like politics, policymaking, and societal impact.
Through consulting, I engage in analysis, research, and advisory work that bridges real-world policy challenges with actionable solutions. This helps me stay relevant to the evolving policy landscape while complementing my technical career — ensuring I can contribute meaningfully both in technology and in shaping initiatives that impact society.
Your advice to students?
My suggestion to students is simple: start figuring out your area of interest while you are still studying. Once you know what excites you, pursue it with persistence and communicate your passion to your parents and mentors through consistent effort and results. Over time, this focus will help you build a career that truly makes you happy and gives you a sense of purpose.
Future plans?
Looking ahead, my goal is to make 3D printing in MedTech more accessible in India, bringing advanced healthcare technology closer to people who need it most. My efforts to explore and expand new technologies will continue because innovation only matters when it improves lives.