by Industrial Print Magazine staff
RAPID+TCT is set to take off in Detroit, MI at Huntington Place April 8 to 10, 2025. Billed as North America’s largest additive manufacturing (AM) and industrial three-dimensional (3D) printing event, it includes over 400 technology innovators, more than 200 expert speakers, and 160 conference presentations.
Above: DM3D Technology, booth 1425, showcases DMD printed parts made with steels, stainless steels, aluminum, titanium, copper, and Inconel alloys.
For the first time in its history, RAPID + TCT co-locates with three major industry events—SME’s AeroDef Manufacturing, showcasing the industry’s most advanced technologies in the aerospace and defense sectors; SAE’s trademark mobility event—the World Congress Experience, which emphasizes innovation in advanced mobility; and America Makes’ Spring Technical Review and Exchange, the nation’s leading public-private partnership for AM technology and education.
With a single registration badge, attendees access an expansive exhibition floor, showcasing the latest advancements in AM alongside pioneering developments in mobility and aerospace.
We reached out to those exhibiting at the show and asked them to share their plans.
3D Spark, booth 3250, presents its platform designed to enhance operational efficiency engineering, procurement, and sales in manufacturing. It showcases how digital solutions simplify processes such as selecting manufacturing technologies, automating costing analyses, and optimizing Make or Buy decisions, to help streamline requests for quotation workflows and quoting. Visitors can learn about the digital factory twin, which assesses feasibility, costs, and production lead times automatically. Also demonstrated, how integrating these tools with digital warehousing systems supports on demand access to spare parts and better inventory management, using real-world examples to illustrate the impact. Additionally, its CO₂ footprint calculation tools are featured, highlighting their contribution to advancing sustainability efforts. INFO# 165
3DCSI, booth 1325, demonstrates the latest in industrial-grade 3D printer technology for the production of makeready products. A number of industries are served. INFO# 166
Additive Assurance, booth 2655, exhibits its AMiRIS quality control solution for laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Real-time information during the production process is critical for making informed decisions. That is now possible with high resolution to resolve the defect modalities in L-PBF, with machine learning models to identify those defects in real time to give instant error reporting, quality assurance reporting at the end of the build, and a highly powerful software package to perform root-cause analysis on the AMiRIS data and even compare with CT data. INFO# 167
ARBURG, booth 2308, showcases the high-temperature Freeformer 750-3X that processes original Ultem 9085 for use in aviation as well as PEAK and PEEK granules for the medical sector. Moreover, interesting applications, customer projects, and material developments are showcased. A new addition to ARBURG’s material portfolio is PA Grilamid TR90, which is approved for food and drinking water. Customer Osko uses a special automation system to handle injection moulded plant pots. The grippers were adapted to the product and quickly 3D printed on demand. Visitors can also see spare parts used by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), implants, valves, parts in hard-soft combination, and much more. INFO# 168
Axtra3D, booth 2320, displays its Lumia X1 3D printer powered by Hybrid PhotoSynthesis technology, which combines digital light processing (DLP) and stereolithography (SLA). This enables the production of high-resolution parts and large flat surfaces at significantly higher throughput. The printer also features TruLayer technology, which ensures efficient layer transitions by rapidly detaching the active print layer and moving seamlessly to the next. Together, these technologies deliver two to eight times improvement in print throughput compared to standard SLA and DLP systems, with performance unaffected by layer surface area. Key applications include concept injection molding with ceramic mold inserts, electrical connectors, ESD-safe electronic jigs and fixtures, functional prototypes, low-volume production, and dental applications. INFO# 169
BigRep America, booth 2325, demonstrates its large format AM solutions designed to meet the needs of aerospace, defense, and automotive. Featuring the all-new BigRep ONE, VIIO 250, ALTRA 280, and upcoming IPSO 105, the booth highlights how these systems provide a seamless transition from prototyping to end use part production. With a focus on reliability, repeatability, and ease of use, BigRep solutions are engineered to produce high-quality, industrial-grade parts for demanding applications. Visitors can learn how BigRep America supports manufacturers in achieving efficient production workflows while reducing lead times and costs. INFO# 170
DM3D Technology, booth 1425, is a leading solutions provider for metal AM technology. DM3D’s proprietary direct metal deposition (DMD) process is a laser powder directed energy deposition technology that uses a patented closed loop feedback control to enhance quality and maintain dimensional integrity of the parts. DM3D is a full-service provider from product development to production services to building customized DMD equipment for its customers. It showcases DMD printed parts made with steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, and Inconel alloys. These parts are used in wide ranging industrial applications in space, aerospace, defense, and energy industries. The parts are supplemented by a video demonstration of the process in the booth. INFO# 171
EDM Network, booth 1715, exhibits two of its Fast Wire EDMs. One is the large model, Edmmax818W, with a cutting envelope of 800×1,000×800 millimeters, four axis cutting capability, a weight limit of 6,000 pounds, on-board CAD system, AC and DC cutting power, and on-site training included. INFO# 172
Lithoz, booth 3415, showcases mid-sized ceramic applications enabled by its new ceramic 3D printer—the CeraFab System S320. With a build platform of 246×130 millimeters—five times larger than the CeraFab S65—and a resolution of 60 µm thanks to its premium 4K projection system, the S320 is engineered for the highly productive serial production of technical ceramic components. Parts printed by the S320 are on display, such as Evove’s bespoke porosity ceramic filter membranes, Alumina Systems’ 15-inch gas distribution ring, and optimized semiconductor nozzles for fluid control. The Ceramic 3D Factory is represented by multi-feature MedTech parts with ultra-thin 90 µm wall thicknesses, produced by Bosch Advanced Ceramics at a scale of 1,400 per batch. SiNAPTIC, a U.S.-based service bureau for Lithoz technology, also presents its newest applications at the Lithoz booth. INFO# 173
Meltio, booth 2113, highlights metal parts in different metal alloys, such as copper, titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, and many others. These metal parts are final parts or parts for end users for different sectors such as automotive, aerospace, mining, oil, and gas. INFO# 174
Mimaki USA, Inc, booth 1145, presents the Mimaki 3DUJ-553, a photorealistic full-color 3D printer capable of producing more than ten million unique colors on a 20x20x12-inch build area. High print speeds enable lower cost production and AM solutions that can be completed within hours. This full-color 3D printer yields fine details, smooth surfaces, and more efficient material usage. It also improves workflow for designers in industrial and other professional segments. Clear ink enables the creation of completely transparent or tinted translucent objects with no yellowing. The water-soluble support material is easy to remove, making it possible to reproduce fine details and intricate parts. INFO# 175
Photocentric, booth 1127, pioneers 3D liquid crystal display (LCD) printing technology to help businesses achieve significant manufacturing efficiencies. From accelerating prototyping to streamlining production, advanced printers and resins reduce lead times, lower costs, and improve product quality. Discover the workhorse LC Magna, ideal for reliable, high-throughput performance, and the large format LC Titan, designed for precision and scalability in demanding manufacturing environments. It also showcases JENI, its newest automated platform optimized for volume production, alongside a range of high-quality, cost-effective resins tailored to diverse applications. INFO# 176
Heart of Manufacturing
We are in the early stages of preparing for RAPID+TCT but with it taking place in the heart of manufacturing, Detroit, it’s no surprise that the event is slated to offer the top products, services, and conversations surrounding AM’s use in industrial printing. IPM
Feb2025, Industrial Print Magazine
