The RAPID + TCT conference is now less than a month away and to find out what to expect from the show, 3D Printing Industry has spoken to the organizers of the event.
RAPID + TCT is an annual additive manufacturing event which this year, will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The conference has been set up and run by SME and Rapid News Publications.
What’s new for this year?
Maria Conrado, Event Manager at SME explains that new additions for this year include, “the Smart Manufacturing Hub, which will feature several advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, advanced materials, 3D printing, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D scanning, and more.”
The 3D Fashion Show will also be back this year following its success last time in Florida. Giving the organizers a chance to showcase the use of 3D printing outside of a more industrial manufacturing setting.
“Doubled in size”
Conrado explains that the show has almost doubled in size this year, “with over 315 exhibitors currently booked.” The event also has over 200 industry expert speakers with presentations covering three tiers of expertise, from novice, to intermediate, and expert. This is something that Conrado believes sets the conference apart from other events,
I think that is what makes RAPID + TCT special – attendees from all levels of additive manufacturing expertise getting together to network, see the latest innovations, and advance the technology together.
Roberto Clemente Bridge
Since the location of the annual event changes each year, Conrado explains the organizers are keen to “make a connection in each region where the event is held.” To do this, they have worked with 3D scanning company FARO, Direct Dimensions and the NextManufacturing Center at Carnegie Mellon University, “to take the first-ever 3D scan of the Roberto Clemente Bridge.”
This scan will be made into a 3D printed miniature replica and “will be available to attendees as puzzle pieces for the annual RAPID + TCT Puzzle Challenge.” The Puzzle Challenge will encourage attendees to engage with the different technologies represented at the show in order to collect different pieces of the bridge and assemble them.
As Conrado explains, the exhibitors are also provided with, “the CAD file of the Roberto Clemente Bridge and encouraged to print the bridge in any size and material. The exhibitors will display their finished products on the show floor.”
Thoughts on 2017
Jim Woodcock, Head of Content at TCT gives us his thoughts on 2017, including current additive manufacturing trends and emerging companies. Woodcock says, “some trends are becoming immediately apparent — the most obvious of which is metals, metals, metals.” Woodcock cites GE’s entry into additive manufacturing as a contributor to this and also list several companies that are emerging into the industry. Including Desktop Metal, who are expected to release their first metal 3D printer this year, and Norsk Titanium.
For the rest of 2017, Woodcock says,
There’s plenty more on the horizon for 2017 with continued strong growth and interest in the industry evident at every event. The year-on-year growth for RAPID + TCT has been incredible, and we look forward to seeing the thousands of visitors — both veterans and newbies — in Pittsburgh, May 9–11.
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Featured image shows Rapid 2016 at the Orange County Convention Center. Photo via Rapid.
