The additive manufacturing (AM) industry is experiencing a resurgence, as evidenced by the vibrant atmosphere at RAPID + TCT 2024, North America’s premier 3D printing event. Held from June 25–27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the event attracted over 9,000 professionals and featured more than 400 exhibitors, marking its largest gathering to date.
Industry Leaders Emphasize Practical Applications
A central theme of the event was the shift from hype to practical implementation. Marie Langer, CEO of EOS, encapsulated this sentiment by stating, “The hype [for 3D printing] is over,” emphasizing the industry’s focus on customer-centric solutions. This perspective was echoed throughout the exhibition, with companies showcasing how AM technologies can address real-world challenges across various sectors, including aerospace, healthcare, and defense.
Technological Innovations Take Center Stage
The exhibition floor was a hub of innovation, featuring groundbreaking technologies:
- 3D Systems introduced the EXT 800 Titan Pellet, a high-speed industrial system utilizing pellet extrusion, offering up to 10 times the output of traditional FFF and FDM printers.
- Stratasys unveiled the J5 Digital Anatomy 3D printer, designed to produce affordable, high-fidelity anatomical models, meeting the growing demand in medical applications.
- Additive Industries launched the MetalFab 300 Flex, a powder bed fusion 3D printer with a scalable build area, catering to manufacturers needing flexibility in part sizes.
- Ai Build showcased AiBuild 2.0, an AI-powered tool-path generation software featuring a natural language interface, making print preparation more accessible to newcomers.
Software Advancements Drive Adoption
Software developments were a focal point, aiming to streamline the AM process:
- nTop announced nTop 5, the latest iteration of its design software, featuring implicit modeling technology and integrations with partners like Materialise and Autodesk, enhancing design capabilities and interoperability.
- Ulendo introduced its Calibration-as-a-Service (CaaS) platform, which uses vibration compensation to double the throughput of extrusion 3D printers, significantly improving productivity.
Recognition of Excellence and Emerging Talent
The event also celebrated achievements within the AM community:
- Andreas Vlahinos received the Aubin Case Study Award for designing a patient-specific femoral implant with osseointegration.
- Paul Gradl was honored with the AM Industry Achievement Award for his contributions to NASA missions.
- 3D Solar won the AM Pitchfest for its hybrid 3D printing approach in the automotive supply chain.
Looking Ahead
The enthusiasm and innovations showcased at RAPID + TCT 2024 underscore the AM industry’s robust growth trajectory. With a projected market value of $21.9 billion, the focus is now on practical applications, software integration, and cross-industry collaborations to drive further adoption. The next installment of RAPID + TCT is scheduled for 2025 in Detroit, promising to continue this momentum.