Formnext 2023 with impressive development

The impressive development of Formnext continues successfully in 2023 and proves the relevance of additive manufacturing processes: In its ninth year, Formnext welcomed 32,851 specialists and managers - 50 percent of whom were international - and thus increased the already strong visitor numbers from the previous year by a further 11.1 percent.

With 859 exhibitors - 59 percent of them international - Formnext 2023 achieved another record result. Formnext exhibitors and numerous events and special shows showcased the diverse possibilities of additive manufacturing for numerous user industries, from medical technology, automotive and mechanical engineering to architecture, aerospace and many more. Visitors were able to discover innovative solutions with which they can make their own production more efficient and future-proof.

Production integration is becoming more important

The higher degree of maturity, increasing integration into production lines, advancing automation and new production technologies and materials played a major role. The overarching metatrend of sustainability was the focus of more and more visitors and exhibitors at this year's partner region Nordic as well as in the extensive lecture program.

At the same time, manufacturers of industrial 3D printers reached new dimensions: Exhibitors presented robot-based 3D printing systems for plastic materials, which can even be used to print entire boats. In the metal sector, too, companies such as AMCM, Eplus3D, InssTek and others demonstrated that highly complex components weighing several tons, such as rocket engines, can be precisely additively manufactured in one piece. In the nano sector, exhibitors such as BMF and Nano Dimension presented new solutions that can be used for 3D printing of electronic components and much more, making numerous new applications and products possible in the future. The high level of innovation at Formnext was also demonstrated by the fact that established and young companies such as Bosch, D3-AM, Reinforce 3D and Venox Systems presented completely new additive production technologies.

Impressive success story

"The development of Formnext is impressive every year," says Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at the organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt. "The high density of innovations, decision-makers and AM experts was unparalleled and made for a unique trade fair experience. Together with our enormously dynamic industry, Formnext shows the way for the future development of cutting-edge manufacturing industries."

Visitors were also enthusiastic about the development of Formnext and the numerous innovations of the exhibitors: Mahdi Bodaghi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Engineering, Nottingham Trent University and Director 4D Materials & Printing Lab: "I really enjoyed my visit to Formnext. I discovered a lot of new AM technologies and it was fantastic to see that a large number of them have been adapted to the needs and demands of businesses and society. I can feel the growing impact that AM is having on all of us."

"This is the right place to see the developments and advances within the AM market. At Formnext, we were able to experience a wide variety of systems and materials bundled and efficiently in one place. This gives us the opportunity to find and select the most suitable solutions for our production," says Chip Gear, CEO of The Technology House.

Extensive and varied supporting program

The supporting program at Formnext 2023 was more extensive than ever before, covering a wide range of user industries from automotive and construction to mechanical engineering. The new Service Provider Marketplace put the spotlight on the special role of service providers in expanding the AM user base. The conference concept, which has evolved into the Multistage program, has successfully established itself and presented AM applications, technologies and innovations as well as discourses on industry-relevant topics such as sustainability, cyber security and investments.

With an equally high proportion of international visitors (50 percent), Formnext once again demonstrated its leading global position as the leading trade fair for additive manufacturing and modern industrial production. The impressive visitor frequency and the high quality of the discussions were also praised by the exhibitors. The next Formnext will take place in Frankfurt from November 19 to 22, 2024.