From dry ice to moon rock

In one week, the 21st rapid.tech 3D opens its doors. From 13 to 15 May, around 170 exhibitors, conference speakers and 3D printing pioneers will be presenting the latest developments and applications in additive manufacturing (AM) at Germany’s longest-running AM trade event. Besides Germany, participants will come from various other countries, among them China, Denmark, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and Switzerland.

Under the motto “Innovative and profitable – the future of additive manufacturing”, they will present the multifaceted world of AM at the specialist conference, exhibition stands, the anniversary show of the 3D Pioneers Challenge, the Technical Deep Dives tours, the Expert Tables and the AM Science Poster Slam. The entire spectrum of additive manufacturing can be experienced – from AM-compatible design and the right choice of materials and technology, to professional finishing. The innovative examples range from safe and fast support structure removal using dry ice blasting in everyday AM production to 3D printing of moon rock for base stations on the moon.

Specialist conference with high-calibre keynotes and many sought-after new topics

rapid.tech 3D Advisory Board Chairmen Michael Eichmann, manager at Stratasys, and Prof. Dr Christian Seidel, holder of the Chair of Manufacturing Technologies with a focus on additive manufacturing at Munich University of Applied Sciences, reveal another reason making the trip to Erfurt worthwhile. “We have once again been able to attract leading AM experts from many industries to the specialist conference. The keynote speeches by MTU Aero Engines, BWT Alpine F1, Roland Berger and Turkish Aerospace are sure to be highlights. In addition, there are eight strong user forums and the quality-tested AM Science Forum. We are seeing increased interest in AM applications in the military sector. That is why this topic is explicitly on the agenda, with experts from Rheinmetall, Diehl and Airbus, among others. There is also demand for 3D printing solutions in the energy and electrical engineering sectors. The new Energy Technology & Hydrogen and Electronics & Components forums will be showcasing ideas and innovations in these areas. The latest AM applications and developments can also be found in the aerospace, mobility, medical, software, AI and design industries. In addition, VDMA Additive Manufacturing and DECHEMA will continue their partnerships with rapid.tech 3D and contribute their input on the topics of AM and robotics, as well as chemistry and process engineering,” says Michael Eichmann.

Conference and exhibition much more closely interlinked

Prof Seidel points out that visitors can also benefit from a much closer integration of the conference and exhibition. “What was explained in the presentations can be 'touched' in the exhibition. For example, in the significantly expanded format of the Technical Deep Dives tours. Here you can 'immerse' yourself in a topic in ten minutes directly at the exhibitor stands. Suppliers and visitors are able to interact directly. We are also reactivating the Expert Tables format. These small group discussions also take place directly in the exhibition area. And we are inviting guests to the AM Science Poster Slam at the end of the first day, so that they can have a relaxed discussion with the scientists at the after-work party in the hall.”

Panel discussions and the exhibitor forum are also available for targeted dialogue. The discussion panels at the end of the first and last day of the event will focus on the internationalisation of the AM market and ways to achieve cost-effective additive manufacturing. In the exhibitor forum, developers and users will present solutions along the entire AM value chain on all three days of the event and provide impetus for their own activities.

Anniversary show of the 3D Pioneers Challenge selects the “Pioneer of the Decade”

An integral part of rapid.tech 3D is the 3D Pioneers Challenge (3DPC). This year, the international competition will return to Erfurt for the tenth time. The anniversary gave all previous finalists and winners the chance to go before the jury panel once again and scoop the title of “Pioneer of the Decade”. 33 applicants from all over the world have reached the final. The jurors will select the winner of the decade from among them. Contenders include the first heart 3D-printed with stem cells from Israel, a revolutionary technology for additive manufacturing without gravity from Switzerland, and the transformation of music into 3D-printed sculptures from Austria. 

A worthwhile visit in economically challenging times

“The 21st rapid.tech 3D is taking place in a difficult market environment. All the more reason to appreciate that the AM experts from the advisory board, together with our partner associations VDMA Additive Manufacturing, DECHEMA and 3-D MID and with the support of the entire organisation team, have once again put together an excellent programme that is strongly focused on application solutions – whether for beginners or advanced users in the field of additive manufacturing. That’s why it’s worth making the trip to Erfurt, especially in economically challenging times,” urges Michael Kynast, CEO of Messe Erfurt.