When it comes to leaving familiar paths behind, changing things up and trying new approaches, additive manufacturing is better than almost any other technology. “The Innovations in AM forum is focused on precisely this ‘out of the box’ way of thinking and working. We won’t just be talking about innovative ideas at the forum, but rather moving forward by demonstrating concrete solutions to problems. Our speakers will present products and services that are already pretty much market-ready,” says Dr Eric Klemp, Head of Hydrogen and Additive Manufacturing at Eisenhuth GmbH & Co. KG, describing the purpose of the forum. A member of the Rapid.Tech 3D advisory board, Klemp is responsible for organising and implementing the forum, which will be held on the conference’s opening day.
Ewald Egel, Technical Solution Executive at Autodesk, will look at how to accelerate the progression from innovative ideas to workable outputs. He will use practical examples to show how combining generative design with additive manufacturing leads to faster product development and more efficient production processes – both enhancing the quality of products and minimising the use of raw materials.
Moving towards a greener future with 3D-printed wood
Desktop Metal combines a sustainable technology and a sustainable raw material in a new application: 3D printing of wood. Gürsel Demircali, vice president EMEA of the US company, will discuss the Forust process in Erfurt. Forust allows waste products from wood and paper processing such as sawdust and lignin to be recycled and processed into lightweight, functional wooden components. These are suitable for a wide range of uses including household goods, luxury fittings, furniture and architectural features. Their significant sustainability benefits are achieved without compromising on the quality and appearance of the products.
Generating value and reducing costs – these are the aims of DQBD’s new design solutions that harness the potential of AM. Sebastian Hess, founder and Managing Director of the product design studio, will use the example of new AM solutions for the design of medical and healthcare products, and personal protective equipment, to illustrate the company's processes. Textiles can be equipped with electronic components, for example, and thus be used to monitor vital functions.
New applications with blue laser
David Scheider, Development Engineer for materials development/additive manufacturing at DMG MORI Ultrasonic Lasertec, will present new multi-material applications for blue laser radiation.
By means of examples from the aerospace and mould-making industries, he will highlight the latest advances in the DED (directed energy deposition) laser welding for the processing of copper and copper alloys.
So far, this method has primarily used laser radiation in the infrared range – which limits its use with copper. Adapting processing strategies is only a partial solution. However, more complex geometries, and technological requirements, for instance with regard to battery and sensor production, make it desirable to use copper as a filler material – which is now possible through the use of blue laser beam sources in DED systems.
AM is also playing an increasingly important role in the Bundeswehr. Safe and easy-to-handle equipment as well as qualified training are increasingly linked to 3D printing here. Tobias Gärtner will speak about the Luftwaffe’s experience with additive manufacturing. The mechanical engineer heads up the design office at the Luftwaffe’s Weapon Systems Support Centre 2.
Avi Cohen, vice president sales and marketing at Massivit 3D, will focus on the new Cast-in-Motion (CIM) technology in his presentation. The process developed by the Israeli company enables the automated manufacture of moulds and tools for the production of composite materials. CIM technology reduces multi-stage workflows in conventional casting to just a few steps.
The Innovations in AM trade forum is part of the Rapid.Tech 3D specialist conference. Each day will open with high-profile keynotes from renowned experts in the automotive, aviation and defence industries. The three-day programme from 9 to 11 May 2023 will also offer insights into the latest AM applications and developments in the other trade forums Medicine, Mobility, Aviation, Design, Software & Processes, Chemistry and Process Technology, Post-processing & Quality Assurance and Science.
More information on how to take part in the event is available at: www.rapidtech-3d.de/konferenz/tickets/
The conference and exhibitor areas of Rapid.Tech 3D 2023 will focus on India’s 3D printing expertise, among other things. A wide range of preparations are currently under way for Indo-German meetings and a joint Indian stand in Erfurt.
Information on special show areas such as the Additive Area or the Start-up Area is available at https://www.rapidtech-3d.com/exhibitors/registration-prices/.
Over 2,500 trade visitors from 18 countries flocked to Rapid.Tech 3D 2022 in Erfurt. They learned about new products and services in additive manufacturing from 97 exhibitors from eleven countries, including the US, the United Kingdom, Austria and Switzerland. Visitors were delighted with the conference programme, which featured ground-breaking keynote addresses and trade forums offering in-depth presentations. Delegate numbers were higher in comparison to the last in-person conference in 2019.
Further information: www.rapidtech-3d.com