By Industrial Print Staff
Held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany Formnext 2021 showcased some of the newest products in additive manufacturing (AM) on an international stage. Over 600 exhibitors from 36 countries met with 17,859 specialists and executives from 76 nations over the course of four days in November. The show floor space totaled 30,000 square meters or 322,917 square feet.
Formnext 2021 marked the seventh year of the three-dimensional (3D) printing show, which is run by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “Formnext has once again shown itself to be the highlight of the year for the AM industry. After the significant challenges we faced last year, this year both the number of exhibitors and visitors in attendance surpassed our expectations,” comments Sascha F. Wenzler, VP, Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt.
“It has shown once again just how important Formnext and face-to-face meetings are for this innovative industry, which develops technologies at a rapid pace and is keen to share these with investors, partners, and customers. It was clear that Formnext had been eagerly awaited by the entire industry,” he continues.
Show Standouts
Vendors representing various parts of the AM process chain took part in the event, with activity from hardware manufacturers to materials, software, and post-processing solutions. Here, we include notable announcements.
3D Systems promoted a next-generation selective laser sintering (SLS) workflow that combines its new SLS 380, 3D Sprint, DuraForm materials, and AMT’s PostPro, which enables cost-effective batch production parts with unprecedented levels of throughput, consistency, and performance.
Additive Industries launched several products including Additive Studios, software with a variety of professional services; the new MetalFABG2, the next generation MetalFAB with double productivity; and MF Calibrate for automated multi-beam qualification.
BigRep introduced BigRep PRO, a meter cubed powerhouse 3D printer, which is designed with the industrial user’s needs in mind. The new and upgraded BigRep ONE is fully tailored to support designers, pattern makers, and researchers by bringing their designs and innovative ideas to life in full scale.
Carbon showcased its Carbon Design Engine, which allows product designers to generate advanced latticed parts quickly and easily from a solid part standard triangle language (STL) file and output STL files for printing on most common 3D printers. Previously, this software was available only to Carbon platform customers, but beginning in early 2022 software licenses are available for individuals and teams to design, develop, and print advanced lattices on most common 3D printers.
Covestro debuts new printing materials including a soluble support material for fused deposition modeling and fused filament fabrication, a soft material for SLS with a high energy return, and two highly flowable thermoplastic polyurethane powders for SLS and high-speed sintering.
EOS focused on its EOS Aluminum Al2139 AM. The alloy, engineered specifically for AM, offers outstanding performance in elevated temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius and is EOS’ highest strength AM aluminum alloy, outperforming a host of similar alloys currently available in the market.
Evonik continued its material campaign in 3D printing by developing two new photopolymers. INFINAM RG 3101 L and INFINAM FL 6300 L expand the product line of synthetic resins launched this year that are suitable for use in common photopolymer 3D printing processes such as stereolithography or digital light processing.
ExOne unveiled the X1 Powder Grip to simplify the management of ultra-fine metal injection moulding powders in the all-new InnoventPro metal 3D printer. The X1 Powder Grip is part of a comprehensive new powder management system for the InnoventPro that eliminates scooping, dumping, powder clouds, and cleanup in the binder jetting of metals.
GE Additive demonstrated Amp, a cloud-based, process management software platform. It also announced limited release from mid-November 2021 of the first two modules; Print Model and Simulation & Compensation, for Concept Laser M2 machine users, with a wider release planned for the second quarter of 2022.
Markforged presented the FX20, capable of printing high-temperature thermoplastics reinforced with continuous fiber at the click of a button. By printing high-strength, more accurate, and higher performance parts, the FX20 meets the needs of even the most demanding and regulated industries, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and oil and gas.
Formnext attendees were among the first to preview the newest updates to Magics, Materialise’s flagship software solution for data and build preparation. Magics 26 arrives in Spring 2022, with significant updates such as a CAD-Kernel integration that help advance end-to-end workflows.
The Print Genius 150 Double Wavelength is the new product from Prima Additive’s 150 series with powder bed fusion technology. What makes this machine unique is the innovative configuration of the laser sources—a 300 watt infrared laser and a 200 watt green laser, which can work alternately on the same work area. In this way, it is possible to select the best wavelength for optimizing the material absorption of the laser radiation.
Renishaw highlighted the RenAM 500S Flex, a single laser AM machine and the RenAM 500Q Flex, a four laser AM machine, both variants of the RenAM 500 range. The systems feature a simplified powder handling system, suited for manufacturers who must regularly swap build materials during production, such as research and development, pre-production, or bureau environments.
Stratasys Ltd. introduced GrabCAD Print for the SAF-powered Stratasys H350 3D printer. The enhanced version of GrabCAD Print, in combination with the H350, gives users the power to scale their AM to production levels.
Added Bonus
For those incapable of traveling to Germany for Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt devised Formnext Digital Days, held online at the end of November. Not only did it offer Formnext exhibitors accessibility to those unable to attend the show in person, it also provided additional ways to connect with vendors post show. Attendees and exhibitors were able to touch base and experience deep dives into specific content.
In addition to business matchmaking and a comprehensive directory of AM solution providers, international attendees experienced a full program including live keynotes, panel discussions, and interviews.
The Immediate Future and Beyond
Buzz at the show proper centered on Mesago Messe Frankfurt and Messe Frankfurt North America announcing a strategic partnership with The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and Gardner Business Media (GBM). The partnership will culminate in Formnext USA Chicago April 8 to 10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, a trade show dedicated to all aspects of industrial AM.
To build a presence in the U.S., AMT, GBM, and Mesago Messe Frankfurt plan to debut a series of events in 2022. This includes the AM4U Area presented by Formnext at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, which runs September 12 to 17, 2022 in Chicago at McCormick Place.
The AM4U Area is a multi-use area on the show floor where industry experts present on topics such as seminars for the adoption of industrial AM, as well as entrepreneurship and business models for start-ups and young enterprises. In 2023, the AM4U Area presented by Formnext is co-located with the Additive Manufacturing Conference in Austin, TX.
Launching in 2024, Formnext Forum Austin features a range of topical seminars and exhibition areas and covers a variety of AM and next-generation intelligent industrial production solutions. The forum will provide attending exhibitors, speakers, and attendees relevant industry knowledge and offer ample business and networking opportunities.
Next year’s Formnext takes place in Frankfurt am Main from November 15 to 18, 2022.
Dec2021, Industrial Print Magazine