Since its launch in 2015, formnext has grown into a pivotal part of the 3D printing industry trade show calendar. As the largest dedicated 3D printing event in the world to date, the Frankfurt event is the perfect opportunity for additive manufacturing enterprises and related partners to showcase their latest products and make announcements. For 2017, formnext is set to be bigger than ever.
Ahead of next week Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice president of formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, gives us an idea of what to expect.
Another level of all things additive
For the first time in 2017 formnext will occupy two hall levels. An extra 106 exhibitors will be adding to last year’s roster, racking up a total of 467.
“Compared to the 2015 premiere with 203 exhibitors,” notes Wenzler, “formnext has even increased by 130% […] Our exciting and varied supporting program has also become even more extensive.”
The program this year promises to include double the amount of lectures, new events, and areas including discover3Dprinting, ready4industry and careers/networking platform am4u.
New product announcements
As a launch platform, formnext will exhibit “pioneering innovations” from “all over the world.” According to Wenzler, this is testament to the event’s growing status, “[It] confirms the position and exhibition concept of formnext as a leading trade fair for modern and intelligent production,”
“Visitors to formnext are thus right on the pulse of the latest technological developments.”
Early release previews have so far confirmed that all the likely faces, (e.g. EOS, Stratasys, GE, SLM Solutions, 3D Systems etc.) will all be making major announcements at the show, and new product demos will be available at XJet, Sigma Labs, VERASHAPE, 3D Systems, MachineWorks, Roboze, Renishaw, XYZPrinting and many more.
3D printing for end-use production
One of the current trends in the industry is additive manufacturing for end-use production, a theme formnext will address accordingly.
“With formnext,” Wenzler adds, “we generally address “the next generation of manufacturing technologies” adds Wenzler, “In the industry, we are currently seeing extremely exciting developments. […] Machines are getting more efficient, so for example faster and bigger. In addition, we also experience new production technologies.”
“Another important topic is the combination of manufacturing processes and the efficient integration of additive manufacturing into existing productions.”
“In addition, visitors to formnext 2017 will find new materials, innovations in quality monitoring and many other exciting developments that inspire and help to make their own production more efficient.”
Want to meet 3D Printing Industry in Frankfurt next week? Be sure to send us a tweet @3Dprintindustry. Also follow, like and subscribe to stay informed about all the latest news, and discover exclusive content from this year’s exhibitors.
Featured image shows Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice president of formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Photo via Mesago
