Comprehensive Know-how, Materials, Processes and Machinery

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Erfurt, 11.02.2013: User conferences, constructors’ day, aerospace-, medical- and dental technology specialists’ forums and trade show – when it comes to additive manufacturing or generative manufacturing or 3D-Printing, novices can obtain comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge at the Rapid.Tech. The focus is on the production of finished products. The Fraunhofer Generative Manufacturing Alliance complements the convention and trade show, which takes place on the 14th and 15th May 2013 for the tenth time. Also part of the anniversary celebration is the 7th Student Design and Engineering Award for Rapid Manufacturing. This is also the first time that this event takes place at the same time as FabCon 3.D. Under the motto “Print Your Ideas“, the event offers private individuals, hobby users, teachers, school children and students Know-how about solutions and products related to 3D printing.

Additive Manufacturing (AM), at the first Rapid.Tech in 2004 was once a topic of interest for a few “insiders”, but is now growing in technological, economic and social impact. At the same time, the generative manufacturing process is now no longer only used purely in development tools but also in the manufacturing process in certain industries. “The Rapid.Tech has evolved over the past ten years as a central meeting point for the future of additive manufacturing technology. The technology has developed from a niche market to an intricate billion dollar industry. Rapid.Tech are focussing increasingly on the economic issues associated with the development of generative products as well as the technical issues”, reports Wieland Kniffka, the Managing Director of the Erfurt Conference.

This development has resulted in the inclusion of simultaneous translations (German/English – English/German) of lectures from more than 30 speakers, including those from countries such as Germany, France, Romania, Switzerland, USA and Austria. At the same time as covering new developments in construction, materials, processes and machinery, the legal aspects as well as the reproducibility and quality checks and assurance of components are also highlighted. The subject forums offer insiders from different industries to learn about the latest applications, to discuss possibilities of generative processes within their own fields and to take a look at the future. At the same time there will be numerous new and further developments displayed in a “tangible“ manner by some 60 exhibitors. “The added value of Rapid.Tech is the close link between lecturers and exhibition presenters“, says Professor Andreas Gebhardt, technical advisor of Rapid.Tech, where over 400 delegates and 650 visitors are expected this year.
The insight into the future is also mentioned by the keynote speaker this year, David Hayward, Projects and Operations Manager of the Design Studio at Bentley Motors Ltd, Crewe (UK) in his speech “Bentley Motors – 3D printing, creativity and the future“. He shows, among other things, which kind of creative potential results from the use of generative manufacturing process in the production of a small series of exclusive automobiles and how it can be exploited.

User Conference – Secure Process Additive Manufacturing
With the increasing use of generative manufacturing processes in mass production, the process requirements are also growing. On the one hand it is important that the part can be ordered in a high quality, reproducible manner as well as when in “unattended“ mode. On the other side the monitoring and reporting of process parameters both play an important role. These elements are issues of focus for the user session. The concepts of process management, build strategies and quality control will be introduced. Furthermore, the relationship between the material properties and the quality of the part is highlighted as well as the issue of post-processing, for example in the form of heat treatment.

Design freedom skilfully implemented – Designer Day
The possibility of realising geometries and components, that are not normally able to be produced or are very expensive, allows for unimaginable potential to be released in Rapid Product Development and in Rapid Manufacturing. In order to exploit this potential, special skills are required. Special procedures for implementing product ideas through AM are therefore the subject of a lecture session at Designer Day on 15th May. Successful applications under the classification of constructive and material technology will also be presented.

Inside the Aviation Faculty Forum new spheres are opening up
Lighter components with integrated functions – a developmental advantage that helps the aviation industry come up with innovative solutions in the generative process. The keynote session of the trade forum will inform about the latest trends and developments in additive manufacturing. The other lectures during the two day event concentrate on the design process, technological and process combinations such as with materials that are directly combined to produce tools and parts, as well as the economic aspects of these themes. Presentations on future-orientated research strategies for AM such as Aircraft Repair are also available to hear about in the program. Future scenarios highlight the use of generative processes in the development of the Moon Rivers Asimov and the 3D production of components with regolith found on the moon.

Layers for a better quality of life – the expert forum for medical technology
The keynote speech “Craniofacial Implants – from ancient metals and animal skulls to modern 3D custom-made implants“ illustrates the significance of additive manufacturing for medical technology as well as the quality of life of patients. During the two day forum new developments in the reworking of bio-materials and their applications, will be introduced in the context of individualisation of implants and prosthetics. This involves, among other things, the generative production of an artificial blood vessel system with the optimum layout and fluid mechanics for the intended use. Also presented are methods for preparing biometric ceramic structures, such as bone replacements as well as methods for manufacturing future micro-implants. The program also includes a solution using the acoustic excitation of implants to measure the anchoring success of implants, which is achieved by selective laser melting.

Felt on the tooth – Rapid Manufacturing in Dental Technology
Additive manufacturing has already become established in the production of crowns and bridges. Increasingly, Prosthetic structures, dental braces and even entire denture sets are being produced generatively. The CAD/CAM and rapid manufacturing expert forum offers a thorough and representative survey of the possibilities for generative production. Machines, materials, methods, treatments and applications are presented in the lectures. Also discussed are questions about economy and communications.

Solutions of Tomorrow – Forum of the Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance
The Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance dedicates the first day of Rapid.Tech to scientific and practical aspects of additive manufacturing. How is AM evolving and what are the opportunities arising from it? The lecture “Generate the future – concepts for the generative production of tomorrow“ will provide answers to questions like this one. Also highlighted is the role of additive manufacturing in the supply of spare and repair parts.

Award Winning Design Ideas
The Student Design and Engineering Award for Rapid Manufacturing is marked at the Erfurt Convention for displaying how innovative ideas are helped by help generative manufacturing to become a reality and in doing so reflect a high degree of individuality. The award is being presented for the seventh time. Students and young professionals can partake for up to two years after graduation. The registration period runs until 28 February 2013.

The Premier of FabCon 3.D – print your ideas
3D-Printing is not only moving forward within its own place in the industry. Individuals, architects, designers, fashion designers, restorers, inventors and the education sector are also discovering the possibilities of this technology. It is also contributing to the development of low-cost 3D printers. Up until now there was no platform or information sharing possibility for this hobby and semi- professional area. This gap has been closed by the Erfurt Trade Fairs with the FabCon 3.D, which takes place this year parallel to Rapid.Tech. The range of exhibits includes 3D printers, materials, FabLabs and Hacker spaces as well as service providers in the field of 3D printers. In addition, lectures, workshops and special events will provide the FabCon 3.D with lots of information and a great atmosphere.

For further information about Rapid.Tech, the Student Design & Engineering Award for Rapid Manufacturing, the FabCon 3.D as well as the comprehensive program for User Day, Designer Day and the expert forums and the Fraunhofer Generative Manufacturing Alliance please visit www.rapidtech.de.