By Melissa Donovan
The RAPID + TCT event takes place May 21 to 23, 2019 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, MI. Focused on 3D manufacturing, the show floor and conference is produced by SME—a definitive industry source on all things additive manufacturing (AM). This year’s event houses over 370 exhibitors and the show organizer anticipates over 7,000 attendees. Last year’s show recorded 5,883 visitors with 341 vendors exhibiting in 88,000 square feet of space.
Above: Rapid + TCT 2018 recorded 5,883 visitors with 341 vendors.
Keynote Focus
Featured presentations available to attendees include keynote sessions held at the beginning of each day. Speakers are noted leaders in their respected fields and involved in 3D printing technology in some capacity.
To kick off the show, Bill Taylor, co-founder, Fast Company; entrepreneur and innovator; and author, shares lessons and case studies from successful digital disruptors and effective leaders on Tuesday, May 21. Titled Disruptive Technology and Innovation, Taylor discusses the new rules of success for manufacturing leaders as they master the challenges of innovation.
On Wednesday, May 22, Naomi Murray, Ph. D, director, advanced operations, additive technology solutions, Stryker, presents Additive Manufacturing: Leveraging Design Capabilities for Production of Devices that Make Healthcare Better. Stryker focuses on innovation, design freedom, and improving healthcare. The company’s Tritanium technology is used in several FDA-cleared orthopedic implements. Dr. Murray discusses how AMagine—Stryker’s proprietary approach to implant creation using AM—provides design freedom.
The final day of the show welcomes Dr. Dominik Rietzel, head of AM (non-metals), BMW Group. Shaping New Ways for Smart Automotive Production by Using AM provides insight into the fields that need to be addressed so AM can enter high-volume markets like automotive production. Dr. Rietzel shares how new business models are realized and automation and artificial intelligence help increase the implementation of AM in or near assembly lines.
Discussion Between Peers
Thought leadership panel discussions are held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 the panel focuses on trends impacting the future. Moderated by Terry Wohlers, principal consultant and president, Wohlers Associates, Inc., attendees are invited to participate in a discussion on AM with subject matter experts. Topics include the importance of design, justifying the cost, challenges associated with post processing, scaling across multiple locations, managing growth, and knowledge and skills development.
The Thursday panel is moderated by Lonnie Love, Ph. D, group leader, manufacturing systems research group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. With a focus on AM—what’s real, what’s not, and what’s next—attendees hear from leading subject matter experts representing the automotive and aerospace industries.
Visit Detroit
RAPID + TCT 2019 registration is open at rapid3devent.com. Included with a full conference pass is three days of presentations, lunch, full conference proceedings, a ticket to the Welcome Event, daily keynote presentations, and access to the exhibits and all show floor activities. For a recap of RAPID + TCT 2019, read our September issue. IPM
Apr2019, Industrial Print Magazine