Keynotes from Ariane, Diehl, Ferrari, Rinspeed and Shell; presentations from more than 70 additive manufacturing (AM) experts from Germany, Israel, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the USA, among others; around 90 exhibitors from Germany, Israel, Canada, Austria and Poland, among others - these are the key figures for this year's Rapid.Tech 3D from May 9 to 11 at Messe Erfurt. This is the 19th time that the renowned trade congress and accompanying exhibition have been held in Erfurt. "With the triad of congress, exhibition and networking opportunities, we are once again offering a sought-after platform for the transfer of information and knowledge between suppliers and users of AM technologies this year. We do not follow a rigid pattern, but instead continuously adapt the program to the needs of the AM community in close cooperation with our advisory board. This can be seen this year, for example, in new specialist forums, new networking formats and new partners," says Michael Kynast, Managing Director of Messe Erfurt.

New forums on post-processing and chemistry

The heart of the event is and remains the Rapid.Tech 3D specialist congress, which will be opened each day by renowned keynote speakers. The first keynote speech on May 9 will be given by Ferrari managers David Abate and Franco Pinna, who will talk about the current and future AM strategy at the sports and racing car manufacturer. They will be followed by Diehl Defense experts Anja Rupprecht and Markus Bähr. They will show that AM plays an important role in the development and production of modern defense technology.

On the second day of Rapid.Tech 3D, visionary automotive designer Frank M. Rinderknecht will discuss the effects of changing mobility on the function and design of vehicles. The keynote speech by Shell manager Jurjen Meeuwissen on the topic of "3D printing for catalytic converters at Shell: future or fiction?" also promises a future-oriented view. In the subsequent panel discussion, Christoph Hauck from toolcraft, Stephan Keil from The Aviation AM Centre, Christoph Braun from schubert+braun prothesenwerk and Markus Bähr from Diehl will discuss the development of the AM market after corona and the Ukraine conflict. On the final day of Rapid.Tech 3D, Dr. Steffen Beyer from the Ariane Group will speak about the use of direct energy deposition (DED) processes to manufacture combustion chamber components for rocket engines.

The nine specialist forums will provide in-depth insights into new AM developments and applications. In addition to the established sessions Design, Innovations in AM, Aviation, Medicine, Mobility, Software & Processes and Science, there are two new forums. The Post-Processing & Quality Assurance forum will address precisely the topics that are currently of greatest concern to users of additive technologies: ensuring reliable end-to-end AM process chains. With the Chemistry & Process Engineering Forum, Rapid.Tech 3D is the first event of its kind to focus on AM activities in this field.

AM expert meeting - direct exchange instead of a classic lecture

The AM Expert Meeting is also new. Here, the focus is on direct exchange instead of the classic lecture format. These interactive discussion rounds with a table captain and several experts delve deep into a topic. The following topics are available: Platform economy//New business models in AM, Additive manufacturing - added value for toolmaking and Global regulations for AM.

Focus on AM qualification at schools and universities

Qualified employees are the key to ensuring that the key technology AM can develop its full potential. The topic of training and further education will therefore be a major focus at this year's Rapid.Tech 3D. Together with the Building 3D e. V. network, the VDMA Additive Manufacturing working group will use lighthouse projects to demonstrate how qualification can be implemented in school and university education. Experts from industry and science will report on topics such as obtaining a 3D printing driver's license at school and the inclusion of additive manufacturing in university teaching and how the industry benefits from this. In a panel discussion, they will discuss how successful further education in additive manufacturing can be achieved.

Imparting knowledge and practical experience in 3D printing at an early school age is the focus of the Education Forum on May 10, which MedienLB - Medien für Lehrpläne und Bildungsstandards is once again holding in Erfurt with its partner Stratasys.

Cooperation with Indian partner AMTECH

In future, Rapid.Tech 3D wants to promote the exchange of knowledge with like-minded people on an international level. To this end, the congress trade fair has agreed to cooperate with AMTECH, the largest business networking platform for additive manufacturing in India and organizer of AMTECH Expo. Together, the partners want to build a bridge between the AM ecosystems in Germany and India and accelerate the growth of AM manufacturing in both countries. After a delegation from Erfurt visited the AMTECH Expo in Hyderabad in December 2022, AMTECH co-founder Aditya Chandavarkar will be a guest at Rapid.Tech 3D. Mutual support as partner events to support the transfer of knowledge and technology between the AM communities of both countries is part of the cooperation agreement.

AM user solutions at the exhibition stands

An integral part of Rapid.Tech 3D is the accompanying trade exhibition. This year, 90 companies, research institutes and networks will be showcasing AM developments and user solutions relating to the additive process chain. The exhibitors include internationally active companies such as Arburg, Farsoon, FIT, Stratasys and Trumpf. In addition to established suppliers and users of industrial 3D printing technology and services, the Erfurt event also provides a stage for start-ups and innovative university projects. The 3D Printing Conference will take place as an open lecture forum in the middle of the trade exhibition.

Final of the international 3D Pioneers Challenge again in Erfurt

Rapid.Tech 3D is also a strategically important venue for the 3D Pioneers Challenge. The finalists of this internationally renowned design and innovation competition for 3D printing and new technologies will be presenting themselves in Erfurt for the eighth time. In 2023, entries were submitted from 29 countries on five continents. 43 submissions made it to the final round after voting by the 32-member jury. Prizes with a total value of around 185,000 euros await the best ideas. The main prize money of 35,000 euros is provided by the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Science and Digital Society.