The 19th Rapid.Tech 3D 2023 once again offers a multifaceted programme with a specialist conference, accompanying exhibition and networking formats
Keynotes by Ariane, Diehl, Ferrari, Rinspeed and Shell; presentations by more than 70 additive manufacturing (AM) experts from countries including Germany, Israel, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the USA; around 90 exhibitors from countries including Germany, Israel, Canada, Austria and Poland – these are the headline data associated with this year’s Rapid.Tech 3D, taking place from 9 to 11 May at Messe Erfurt. Back for another year, the renowned specialist conference with accompanying exhibition invites you to Erfurt for the 19th time.
“With our triad of conference, exhibition and networking opportunities, we are once again offering a sought-after platform for the transfer of information and knowledge between the suppliers and users of AM technologies. We don’t follow a rigid pattern but continue to adapt the programme to the needs of the AM community, working closely with our advisory board. This is reflected this year, for example, in new trade forums, new networking formats and new partners,” says Michael Kynast, CEO of Messe Erfurt GmbH.
New forums on post-processing and chemistry
The heart of the event is and will remain the Rapid.Tech 3D specialist conference, which is opened each day by distinguished keynote speakers. The first keynote speech on 9 May will be given by Ferrari managers David Abate and Franco Pinna, who will talk about the current and future AM strategy at the sports and racing car manufacturer. They are followed by experts Anja Rupprecht and Markus Bähr from Diehl Defence, who will demonstrate how AM plays an important role in the development and production of modern defence technology.
On the second day of Rapid.Tech 3D, visionary automotive designer Frank M. Rinderknecht will address the impact of changing mobility on vehicle function and design. The keynote speech Shell manager Jurjen Meeuwissen on the subject of “3D printing for catalytic converters at Shell: Future or fiction?” also promises a forward-looking view. In the subsequent panel discussion, Christoph Hauck from toolcraft, Stephan Keil from The Aviation AM Centre, Christoph Braun from schubert+braun prothesenwerk and Markus Bähr from Diehl will discuss the development of the AM market in the wake of the coronavirus and the Ukraine conflict. The closing day of Rapid.Tech 3D will see Dr Steffen Beyer from the Ariane Group talk about the use of direct energy deposition (DED) processes to manufacture combustion chamber components for rocket engines.
Nine trade forums will provide in-depth insights into new developments and applications in AM. In addition to the established sessions on Design, Innovations in AM, Aviation, Medicine, Mobility, Software & Processes and Science, two new forums join the event. The forum on Post-Processing & Quality Assurance will address precisely those issues that are currently of most concern to users of additive technologies: how to ensure reliable end-to-end AM process chains. The Chemistry & Process Engineering forum, meanwhile, makes Rapid.Tech 3D the first event of its kind to focus on AM activities in this field.
Meet the AM Experts – direct exchange instead of classic lecture
The Meet the AM Experts sessions are also new. The focus here is on direct exchange rather than the classic lecture format. Each of these interactive discussion sessions with a ‘table captain’ and several experts takes a deep dive into a specific topic. The following topics are available to choose from: Platform Economy//New Business Models in AM, Additive Manufacturing – An Added Value for the Tool Industry, and Global Regulations for AM. There is a maximum of ten seats per session. Those interested can register here: https://www.rapidtech-3d.de/fachkongress/am-experten-treff/
Focus on AM qualification at schools and universities
Qualified employees are vital cogs for exploiting the full potential of AM as a key technology. That’s why considerable space is given over to the topic of training and further education at this year’s Rapid.Tech 3D. Together with the Building 3D network, the VDMA Additive Manufacturing working group is using lighthouse projects as one means to demonstrate how qualification can be implemented in school and university education. Experts from industry and science will report, among other things, on the acquisition of a 3D printing ‘driving licence’ at school as well as the inclusion of additive manufacturing in university teaching and how the industry can benefit from this. In a panel discussion, they will examine how successful further education in additive manufacturing can reap many rewards. Imparting knowledge and practical experience in 3D printing at an early school age is the focus of the Education Forum on 10 May, which is once again being hosted in Erfurt by MedienLB – experts for digital education content – with its partner Stratasys.
Cooperation with Indian partner AMTECH
In the future, Rapid.Tech 3D is keen to promote the exchange of knowledge with like-minded people more intensively in an international context. For this purpose, the trade fair has agreed to partner up with AMTECH, the largest business networking platform for additive manufacturing in India and organiser of the AMTECH Expo. Together, the partners aim to build a bridge between the AM ecosystems in Germany and India and accelerate the growth of AM manufacturing in both countries. Following the visit by a delegation from Erfurt to the AMTECH Expo in Hyderabad in December 2022, AMTECH co-founder Aditya Chandavarkar will be guest at Rapid.Tech 3D. Providing mutual support as partner events to support knowledge and technology
transfer between the AM communities of both countries is part of the cooperation agreement.
AM application solutions at the exhibition stands
Rapid.Tech 3D wouldn’t be what it is without the accompanying trade exhibition. This year, 90 companies, research institutions and networks will be presenting developments in AM and user solutions relating to the additive process chain. Exhibitors include international companies such as Arburg, Farsoon, FIT, Stratasys and Trumpf. In addition to established suppliers and users of industrial 3D printing technology and services, the Erfurt event also serves as a platform for start-ups and innovative university projects. In the midst of the trade exhibition, the 3D Printing Conference will take place as an open lecture forum.
Final of the international 3D Pioneers Challenge returns to Erfurt
Rapid.Tech 3D is also a strategically important venue for the 3D Pioneers Challenge. For the eighth time, the finalists of this internationally important design and innovation competition for 3D printing and new technologies will be showcasing themselves in Erfurt. In 2023, submissions came in from 29 countries across five continents. 43 made it to the final round after voting by the 32-strong jury. A grand total of around EUR 185,000 in prize money will be distributed among the best ideas. The main cash prize of EUR 35,000 is awarded by Thuringia’s Ministry for Economic Affairs, Science and Digital Society.
Book tickets conveniently online
Tickets to attend the conference for one, two or three days can be booked online at your convenience at: https://www.rapidtech-3d.de/ticket/
More information about the event: www.rapidtech-3d.de
Messe Erfurt GmbH press contact
Judith Kießling
T: +49 361 400 15 20
Mob: +49 173 389 89 99
j.kiessling@messe-erfurt.de
Trade press contact
Ina Reichel
– Freelance Journalist –
Tel.: +49 371 774 35 10
Mob: +49 172 602 94 78
inareichel@ma-reichel.de
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