Rapid.Tech 3D

Additive manufacturing (AM) has gained a firm foothold in the industry. 3D printing islands are increasingly becoming end-to-end integrated solutions that encompass all links in the value chain from design to final product and make an important contribution to resilient and sustainable supply chains. The dynamics in the development and application of new materials, methods and processes were conspicuously reflected in the lectures, discussions and presentations at the 19th Rapid.Tech 3D from May 9-11, 2023 in Erfurt, Germany. The approximately 2,700 visitors from Germany and abroad praised the once again high quality of the trade congress and trade exhibition.

Increased cooperation with national and international partners

At its 19th edition, Rapid.Tech 3D also highlighted key directions for its future development. This includes even stronger cooperation with partners and multipliers at national and international level. For example, the Additive Manufacturing Working Group within VDMA e. V. will become the conceptual sponsor of Rapid.Tech 3D from 2024. The VDMA's Executive Board and AM Working Group, as well as the management of Messe Erfurt, held extensive talks on the fringes of this year's event to shape the cooperation. The AM working group will be intensively involved in the content of the congress and the trade exhibition. Already this year, the VDMA has been involved with a format on the topic of education. Together with the Building 3D network, the AM working group organized a panel discussion on the criteria for successful education and training in additive manufacturing.

Knowledge exchange is also an aspect of the cooperation with the Indian partner AMTech Expo, India's largest business networking platform for additive manufacturing technology. As an overarching goal of the multi-year collaboration agreed in Erfurt, both sides formulated to jointly advance the AM ecosystems of both countries. Mutual support as partner events is intended to promote competence and technology transfer between the AM communities of India and Germany.

The next Rapid.Tech 3D will take place from May 14 to 16, 2024. It will then be the 20th event.