Tracks and Trends in Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a growing sector, with new 3D printing processes, materials and applications arising every year. But it’s also a varied one. Whether your company is already using 3D printing technology effectively or is just starting out with AM, RAPID + TCT offers a tiered conference program to serve professionals with any level of AM experience.

RAPID + TCT conference is the longest-running additive manufacturing conference in North America. Since its inception in 1990, the event has served as the annual gathering for manufacturing professionals who are using, researching or integrating AM. Produced by SME, this year’s conference takes place April 23-26 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 2018 conference program brings together more than 150 industry experts who will speak on the latest processes, applications, materials and research in additive manufacturing. Hear from influential AM leaders about how 3D printing technologies can cut costs, reduce time to market, produce stronger and lighter parts, improve efficiency, create complex geometries, and solve many other industry challenges. Conference presentations are labeled novice, intermediate or expert to help you maximize your time at the show with a customized schedule that fits your needs.

Among the highlights:

 

Additive Manufacturing with Metals

The manufacturing industry continues to adopt metal additive manufacturing for applications ranging from high-resolution prototypes to end-use parts. But metal AM is simultaneously advancing in terms of materials, design knowledge, postprocessing strategies and more. RAPID + TCT is making it easy for attendees to find all the 2018 conference presentations related to metals. View metal AM presentations here.

Medical/Biomedical Applications

Medical and biomedical applications are among the fastest growing areas of additive manufacturing. RAPID + TCT’s Medical Manufacturing Innovations Program (MMI) highlights this growing trend, with targeted presentations and workshops on current and emerging uses of AM technologies for medical models, implants, surgical tools and more. Find the medical presentation schedule here.

Notable Users and Applications

One of the main benefits of attending RAPID + TCT is the chance to learn from power users of additive manufacturing technology. Hear how manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are using AM to develop and implement production parts for high-consequence applications, and how the Department of Defense is additively manufacturing radiofrequency devices and systems. Learn how the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and Oerlikon are incorporating new and novel materials such as metals and flexible materials to produce production-ready parts. And hear about exciting research taking place at the NASA Langley Research Center, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of North Texas.

A conference pass to RAPID + TCT 2018 also includes lunch all three days, daily keynote presentations, access to the full conference proceedings and admission to the show floor, featuring more than 300 exhibiting companies.