Maybe it is because it is taking place in September, in time for the back to school period; maybe it is because it takes place in London, one of the main global business centers; or maybe it is because it has come to its third edition and it coincides with a year that could represent a turning point for 3D printing: the fact of the matter is that this year’s London 3D Printshow is shaping up to be the event that will mark the beginning to the new 3D printing season. The start of another full year of non-stop, continuously evolving worldwide innovation and creativity centred around 3D printing technology.
The show is taking place at a new London venue, Old Billingsgate, right on the river Thames and will be open from Thursday 4th September through until Saturday 6th.
The show’s formula will closely resemble last year’s, with a lot more enthusiasm and some new additions, but like last year the show will be divided into areas of interest. These areas include Art and Design, Fashion, Food and Housing/Architecture. Although they are not necessarily the main applications of 3D printing today, are possibly the most interesting areas for immediate growth and certainly the very media-relevant.
New for this year will be the 3D printing Food Hall, where Choc Edge will feature significantly, presenting the new version of its Choc Creator. Within the Food Hall show guests will, for the first time, be able to actually taste different 3D printed foods. There will also be areas dedicated to exhibiting advances and futuristic architectural designs, as well as wearable tech for haute couture 3D printed fashion items.
The artistic vein of 3D printing will be explored though the returning Art Gallery section, organized in close collaboration with show sponsor Adobe, as well as a Music Room that will be showcasing a selection of 3D printed instruments for visitors to interact with. The Creator’s Corner will show 3D modelling and 3D printing taking place in real time through software provided by show floor guests. The Hospital Area will also be a welcome return from last year’s edition, showing advancements in implants and bioprinting, along with regenerative medicine applications and medical modelling (with exhibitor Digits to Widgets demonstrating the relationship between medical and artistic 3D printing).
The Scan Zone will let visitors be 3D scanned and 3D printed, headed up my My3DTwin. Fuel 3D also be there, showing the final version of its highly anticipated low cost 3D scanning system.
But for many 3D printing industry operators the main attractions will continue to be the exhibiting 3D printer manufacturers.
ShareBot already announced it will be presenting its newest sub-$20.000 SLS system and more news from this company is on the way, while colorFabb will be making big announcements following the newly formed partnership with Eastman. More interesting announcements and presentations may come from Stratasys, the show’s main sponsor, and MakerBot, as wells as from high profile players such as Mcor technologies, Ultimaker, Roland, 3Doodler, BQ, BigRep and BeeVeryCreative. Not to mention all three leading 3D printing services: Shapeways, iMaterialise and Sculpteo, who will all be facing off under the same roof (that will be particularly interesting). Here you find the full exhibitors list.
Last but not least: don’t forget to party with 3D Hubs! The 3D Printshow 2014 Global Awards will be hosted on the first evening of the show on the 4th September at Old Billingsgate. It promises to be a night of fun revelry and will honour the great, the good and the sheer brilliant achievements with 3D printing in the last 12 months. Nominees are all listed on the 3D Printshow website here, where you can still vote for your favourite, ahead of the awards next week.
Both Rachel and I will be at the show, so if you get a chance, amidst the vast array of activities, do say hi — we’d love to catch up with you.
