Who are We?
PanOptimization was founded to address the current simulation and optimization needs of the AM market; to dramatically improve simulation accuracy, to simulate parts of extreme geometric complexity and to not just predict print outcomes but to improve/optimize them. Traditional AM simulation tools do not address these needs. PanOptimization licenses the PanX solver (a finite element based engineering software) to users in the aerospace and defense, biomedical, and CAE industries, as well as machine OEMs and universities. We are located in State College Pennsylvania, just across the street from Penn State’s CIMP-3D Lab.
Pan Michaleris, Ph.D.
C.E.O.
Pan Michaleris founded PanOptimization LLC to develop and commercialize process optimization solutions for Advanced Manufacturing. In 2012, he founded Pan Computing LLC which was acquired by Autodesk in 2016. The additive manufacturing process simulation software CUBES developed by Pan Computing was commercialized as Netfabb Simulation. Dr. Michaleris became Sr. Software Architect at Autodesk and supervised the development of additive manufacturing simulation software until 2021. He has over 40 years of experience in high performance computing and thermo-mechanical process modeling such as additive manufacturing, welding and thermal forming. He has a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and has worked as a senior research engineer at Edison Welding Institute (EWI) from 1994 to 1997, and as professor at the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering of The Pennsylvania State University from 1997 to 2016. He has coauthored over 100 technical papers, one book on Minimization of Welding Distortion and Buckling, one book on Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Additive Manufacturing and one book on Additive Manufacturing with Metals.
Erik Denlinger, Ph.D.
C.O.O.
Erik Denlinger co-founded PanOptimization LLC where he currently serves as Chief Operating Officer. His work focuses on validating and commercializing process optimization solutions for Advanced Manufacturing. Prior to joining PanOptimization he was a stakeholder and engineer at Pan Computing LLC. After the acquisition of Pan Computing LLC by Autodesk he became a Principal Research Engineer and Manager of Additive Process Simulation at Autodesk, where he also served as Product Owner of Netfabb Simulation and the Fusion 360 Additive Simulation Extension. He has over a decade of experience investigating thermal and mechanical effects during AM processing and validating Finite Element models of Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Directed Energy Deposition processes. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and has coauthored over 20 technical publications, including the ASM Handbook on Additive Manufacturing Processes and a book on Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Additive Manufacturing.
Tyler Nelson, M.S.
Principal Engineer
Tyler Nelson joined PanOptimization LLC in 2023 as a Principal Engineer. He previously worked at the GE Research Center (GRC) and GE Aviation in the areas of process modeling, software development and design. His research focused on simplifying additive process modeling and developing software for iterative geometry compensation and improved part buildability. He was the primary developer of the SimComp platform in use as a standalone software package at GE Aviation as well as powering the compensation portion of the GE Additive Amp platform. He has over 10 years of finite element analysis and process modeling including additive manufacturing, welding, thermal and structural analysis. He has a MS in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University and holds several patents relating to model-based geometry compensation and re-coater clearance optimization.
Peter Rogers
Daniel Bartilson, Ph.D.
Principal Computational Mechanics Engineer
Daniel Bartilson joined PanOptimization LLC in 2025 as a Computational Mechanics Engineer. Before joinning PanOptimization, he spent several years developing a range of simulation software for Alta Dynamics, Inc., including structural, acoustic, and multiscale composite material modeling. He also worked for a major U.S. defense contractor where he contributed new capabilities to a high performance coupled structural-acoustic simulation software. Daniel holds a Ph.D. from the Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics department at Columbia University.
Juls Scott
Operations Manager
Juls Scott joined PanOptimization in 2025 as Operations Manager. She has also been the Operations Manager for spotLESS Materials Inc. since June 2022. Juls has 15 years of experience from Penn State University as the administrative coordinator and assistant to the Department Head of Mechanical Engineering. Prior to joining Penn State, she was the Branch Manager of a heavy equipment parts and service business for one of the oldest Berco importers in the U.S. Juls offered an abundance of experience ranging from parts and supply management, manufacturing and production, fleet management, all aspects of human resources, finance, travel, itineraries, sales and customer service, organizational change management, process analysis, and policy matters involving OSHA, and the EPA. She previously worked in retail banking as an assistant manager with extensive knowledge in sales lead generation, goal setting, establishing employee reward and discipline programs, and a proven track record of positive employee management. Juls also has experience in advertising, negotiating contracts, and graphic design.
Tyler Stevens, Ph.D.
Senior Engineer
Tyler Stevens joined PanOptimization LLC in 2025 as a Senior Engineer. He has a diverse background bridging data analysis, predictive modeling, manufacturing processes, and mechanical design. Prior to joining PanOptimization, he worked as a data scientist, developing analytical software. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, where his research specialized in design for additive manufacturing and origami-inspired mechanisms. His work has spanned industries including aerospace, building energy, deployable structures, fitness, and entertainment.