In an industry where innovation often walks hand in hand with complexity, General Lattice is charting a different course. Founded six years ago, the company has steadily evolved from its beginnings as a service bureau into a leader in digital manufacturing services, focusing on computational design. Now, General Lattice is making headlines with its latest offering: GL Frontier, a web-based software that promises to make 3D printing accessible to a broader audience.
“GL Frontier is really the culmination of everything we’ve learned over the past five years,” said Nick Florek, CEO of General Lattice, in a recent interview. “We’ve worked with a wide range of companies, from the Department of Defense to sporting goods manufacturers, and we’ve taken those experiences to create a tool that anyone can use.”
General Lattice’s journey began with a focus on LP technology, but the company soon pivoted away from printing parts for customers, instead turning its attention to designing them. This shift allowed the team to develop a deep understanding of various industries and their unique needs. It also provided the foundation for GL Frontier, which distills the complexities of 3D printing into three key components: materials intelligence, intuitive design tools, and connected manufacturing.
The materials intelligence feature of GL Frontier is perhaps its most significant innovation. It provides users with a database of lattice materials, helping them choose the right material for their projects, whether they’re focusing on mass customization, part consolidation, or advanced geometry. “We’ve tried to break down the keys to success with 3D printing,” Florek explained. “And materials intelligence is a big part of that. Our database allows users to find the right hardware, the right material, and the best lattice structure to use.”
