Travis Lathrop
Mechanical Engineer, 3D Printing Entrepreneur, and Shop Nation Founder
Dayton, Ohio, United States
Summary
Travis Lathrop is a highly experienced mechanical engineer with over a decade in manufacturing, specializing in reliability, process optimization, and additive manufacturing. He played a key role in implementing 3D printing programs at large corporations like The Dow Chemical Company before transitioning to a strategic applications role at Markforged, a leading 3D printing company. This background demonstrates his deep technical understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies and their practical application in industrial settings. youtube+3
Leveraging his engineering and manufacturing expertise, Travis has successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship as the Founder of Shop Nation. He operates a robust 3D printing farm with over 50 machines, producing and selling specialized woodworking accessories and tool dust collection solutions. This venture showcases his ability to identify market needs, design innovative products using digital fabrication, and scale production to meet demand. youtube+3
Beyond product development, Travis is a prolific content creator and educator through the Shop Nation YouTube channel and associated media platforms. He effectively communicates complex engineering and manufacturing concepts, building a large community interested in 3D printing, woodworking, and shop optimization. His content creation skills demonstrate his ability to engage an audience, share knowledge, and use digital platforms for business growth and community building. nitter+4
Work
Education
Projects
Writing
Shop Build Update
May 1, 2024A blog post by Travis Lathrop on the Shop Nation website providing an update on the construction of a new 1,000 sq ft workshop with features like an outdoor kitchen, attic storage for utilities, and an overhead hoist.
2018: An IMTS Odyssey (Markforged Blog Post)
September 1, 2018Co-authored a blog post detailing Markforged's participation at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2018, where he also presented a session on how 3D printing is transforming the manufacturing industry.
Solar Decathlon Controls
May 1, 2011A collaborative project submitted as part of the Chancellor's Honors Program, focusing on solar decathlon controls.