The various stages, which are freely accessible to all trade fair visitors and stakeholders, provide an insight and overview of the most important topics in the AM industry. This ranges from exciting applications from various sectors, from medicine to aerospace and the construction industry. The latest technologies presented by exhibitors at Formnext will also be showcased. Important overarching topics such as sustainability, skills shortages and financing will also be discussed and explored in depth by leading experts and executives in the form of presentations and panel discussions.

Cross-industry and cross-technology

For Formnext, the new conference concept is the next logical step in the further development of the trade fair and will further promote the important exchange between technology providers and users. "This will enable us to meet the demand from the industry that we experienced last year even better and at the same time create even more space for exchange, transfer of knowledge and experience," explains Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at the organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt. With the various stages, Formnext also presents the entire process chain across all important industries in the conference program and covers AM manufacturing both horizontally and vertically.

Focus on applications

At the Application Stage, exciting applications from different industries will be presented in various thematic blocks, each with four 20-minute presentations: from mechanical and plant engineering, the automotive industry, aerospace, medical technology and electrical engineering to tool and mold making and automation. For each industry, the entire process chain from material to pre-processing, additive production, post-processing and quality assurance will be highlighted.

Interdisciplinary exchange

The Industry Stage focuses on interdisciplinary exchange with industry experts and industry representatives. Current, influential topics such as sustainability and digitalization will be presented in a keynote speech, explored in greater depth in "Expert Insights" and discussed further in a "Panel Discussion". The agenda also includes important AM topics such as intellectual property, DfAM (Design for AM), business opportunities, start-ups and funding, as well as current cross-industry topics such as cyber security, skills shortages and supply chain resilience. In addition, the Industry Stage also deals with new emerging technologies such as bioprinting and 3D printing of food or medicines and can also contribute to bringing together global economic issues and additive manufacturing.

The AM offering and the process chain in depth

The dynamic further development of generative technologies is also constantly leading to new solutions on the manufacturer side and along the process chain. Formnext exhibitors will be presenting these on the Technology Stage. Innovations from the fields of materials, pre-processing, AM production and post-processing will be presented in morning and afternoon sessions on each day of the trade fair.

The "Call for Speakers" starts immediately. Proposals for contributions can be submitted by 30.06.2023 at the latest via the Call for Speakers form.