What Were Some of the Key Takeaways from RAPID + TCT 2022?

Last Thursday, RAPID + TCT 2022 closed its doors after three days of conferences, networking, announcements and of course innovations. For the 30th anniversary of the conference, SME noted that they had over 400 exhibitors as well as more than 150 leading experts and more than 25 keynote and panel presentations. What has always been especially notable about RAPID is that as it has built on its base of manufacturing, the event often welcomes many from OEMs and major names in the industry. This year, attendees were able to meet representatives from Airbus, Boeing, the Mayo Clinic, General Motors, Ford, Disney, the US Armed Forces, Wilson Sporting Goods and more who were both on the exhibitor floor and speakers at the event.

Additionally, though events have been going on for some time now, this truly marked for many the official proof that the AM industry is back after COVID. The air at the show was almost jubilant as people were once again even meeting face to face, even without masks, and international guests were able to attend. Angie Szerlong, Industry Manager – Additive Manufacturing at SME, noted that for her it felt like, “The industry is back. It’s the first event where we are fully back. We’re not out of COVID but it felt like the industry was together and you could feel the momentum and the excitement. You just felt an energy that was here.” After being able to attend the event, 3Dnatives is breaking down for you some of what we saw to be the key takeaways from the event including an increased focus on diversity, a move towards great automation and the changing face of FDM.

RAPID + TCT 2022 felt like a return to normality for many in the 3D printing industry (photo credits: 3Dnatives)

The Industry Puts a Spotlight on Diversity

Diversity was one of the key themes that we saw at RAPID + TCT 2022 this year. It started off of course with the announcement of the strategic partnership between Women in 3D Printing and SME. This means that the two will be collaborating on four major projects for 2022 and 2023. Namely, SME will be helping to produce and power the TIPE 2023 Conference (keeping the all-women format for which it is known), launching the Wi3DP Showcase at RAPID + TCT 2023, Implementing the NextGen Mentorship Pilot to expand Wi3DP’s existing program and co-authoring the Diversity for Additive Manufacturing 2023 Annual Report.