RAPID + TCT 2022: Unveiling the Future of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Innovation
RAPID + TCT 2022 has officially concluded its first day, leaving a significant mark on the additive manufacturing industry. Even before the doors opened, a series of exciting launches and pivotal announcements had already generated considerable buzz. This palpable excitement was undeniably reflected in the vibrant atmosphere in Detroit, where industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts gathered. Over the course of the three-day event, attendees will have unparalleled opportunities to engage with a diverse array of exhibitors, participate in a variety of insightful conferences covering specialized verticals like automotive and aerospace, explore the very latest technological advancements, and benefit immensely from numerous networking events, including the much-anticipated AM Industry Celebration held on the first evening. For those who were unable to attend this cornerstone event in person, we aim to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the key happenings at RAPID + TCT 2022, our initial impressions of the show’s dynamic environment, and highlights from SME’s prestigious annual awards ceremony.
Marking its second year since the triumphant return post-COVID-19 pandemic, and notably celebrating its 30th anniversary, RAPID + TCT 2022 was destined to be a landmark event. The anticipation building up to its commencement was immense. In a press release issued prior to the show, Robert “Bob” Willig, SME Executive Director and CEO, underscored the event’s unparalleled significance, stating, “As the preeminent AM event in North America, RAPID + TCT is the place to be to show off and experience the technologies that continue to shape modern manufacturing. Each year, exhibiting companies push the limits of what’s possible through interactive demonstrations, large-scale models and an immersive experience you cannot find anywhere else. With over 400 exhibiting companies and 30 OEMs scheduled for this year, attendees will be blown away by the level of innovation at the event.” This sentiment perfectly captured the essence of the show, highlighting its crucial role in driving the global narrative of additive manufacturing forward and setting the stage for breakthrough developments.
There are over 400 exhibitors at the event, showcasing the breadth of the AM industry (photo credits: 3Dnatives)
North America’s Foremost Additive Manufacturing Event Fuels Innovation and Collaboration
The commencement of RAPID + TCT 2022 was marked by a series of engaging presentations, with one announcement, in particular, garnering widespread attention and excitement. SME and Women in 3D Printing (WI3DP) officially formalized a strategic partnership, a move widely celebrated as a significant step towards fostering diversity and inclusion within the additive manufacturing industry. This collaboration is designed to advance four distinct yet interconnected initiatives, promising to have a profound impact on the community. These initiatives include the highly anticipated TIPE 2023 conference, an all-female speaker event that will now be collaboratively produced and powered by SME and WI3DP; a dedicated Women in 3D Printing showcase at RAPID + TCT 2023, scheduled to take place in Chicago; the launch of a pioneering next-generation mentorship pilot program aimed at nurturing emerging talent; and a joint effort to enhance Women in 3D Printing’s Diversity in Additive Manufacturing Report, particularly in the crucial area of data collection. This partnership signifies a concerted effort to create a more equitable and representative industry.
Nora Touré, Chairwoman and Founder of Women in 3D Printing, elaborated on the vision behind this partnership, especially regarding TIPE 2023. She confirmed that while the format of the show, featuring an exclusive roster of all-female speakers, will remain unchanged, the collaboration with SME will significantly amplify its reach and impact. Touré passionately concluded, “Through this partnership, SME is enabling a volunteer-based organization to move faster and truly move to create an industry that reflects the world that we are operating in. SME has an incredible 90-year history of advancing manufacturing and we have been lucky to have them beside us since the beginning. Indeed, SME was one of the earliest companies to support Women in 3D Printing.” Her remarks underscored the deep historical ties and shared commitment to advancing manufacturing, with this new partnership poised to accelerate progress towards a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative additive manufacturing ecosystem.
Women in 3D Printing Chairwoman Nora Touré addresses attendees, highlighting the new partnership with SME (photo credits: 3Dnatives)
Beyond these significant announcements, attendees were immersed in a wealth of information concerning the various conferences and anticipated revelations at the show. A central theme during the opening remarks revolved around the multitude of press conferences and product launches slated to occur throughout the event. The first day alone witnessed pivotal press conferences hosted by industry giants such as Dyndrite, Ulendo (an innovative startup originating from the University of Michigan), and HP, each unveiling new strategies and advancements. Concurrently, Digital Metal and Jabil introduced groundbreaking new solutions, extending direct invitations to attendees to explore their offerings. This emphasis on direct, in-person engagement, allowing participants to physically interact with cutting-edge machines and grasp their true capabilities, emerged as a resounding highlight for many on the inaugural day of RAPID + TCT 2022. This hands-on experience is particularly crucial as an increasing number of companies focus on industrializing their additive manufacturing solutions, thereby expanding their applicability to a broader spectrum of sectors and high-demand applications. The launch of new, production-ready products and technologies forms the bedrock of this industrialization trend.
AON3D exemplified this forward-thinking approach, strategically launching a new product just before RAPID + TCT 2022 with the explicit goal of introducing it directly to customers at the event. Ilhan Esmail, Applications and Materials Specialist at AON3D, articulated the immense value of this timing, explaining, “One of the benefits of launching before RAPID is that we are now able to show to users in person that high temperature with duplication mode is possible and to ensure they understand what it is. We’re hoping to show the full capabilities of it as well as make sure that this feature works and how people would be interested in using it.” This highlights the critical importance of demonstrating complex capabilities in a tangible way. Eric Beardslee, AON3D’s
Exhibitors are excited to showcase their groundbreaking products and engage with a global audience at RAPID + TCT 2022 (photo credits: 3Dnatives)
This prevailing sentiment of excitement and innovation was vividly reflected across the bustling exhibitor floor. Attendees eagerly navigated from booth to booth, engaging in insightful discussions and absorbing the myriad of new advancements in additive manufacturing that have emerged over the preceding months. The atmosphere was charged with productive energy, a stark contrast to the virtual interactions of recent years. Tuan Tranpham, CRO at Azul3D, particularly emphasized the profound significance of the return to in-person events after the COVID-19 pandemic, observing, “It’s good to be back in person. We are having great conversations and this year it is especially exciting because we are able to once again see more international people from the AM community as restrictions have dropped. I’m really happy as well to see that the AM community is growing to include post-processing and it’s clear that we are moving in the right direction.” His remarks highlighted not only the joy of rekindling face-to-face connections but also the tangible expansion and maturation of the AM ecosystem, now encompassing crucial aspects like post-processing, which are vital for industrial adoption. The global representation and diverse perspectives present underscored the industry’s continued growth and its increasing role on the international manufacturing stage.
SME Honors Excellence with Annual Awards Ceremony at RAPID + TCT 2022
To culminate a day brimming with innovation and collaboration, and just before the highly anticipated launch party commenced at 5 PM, SME hosted its distinguished “SME Additive Manufacturing Awards Ceremony” within the vibrant SME ZONE Theater. This event served as a crucial platform to acknowledge and celebrate groundbreaking projects and influential individuals who have made significant contributions to the additive manufacturing landscape. Among the various accolades presented were the Digital Manufacturing Challenge Award, the Aubin Additive Manufacturing Case Study Award, and the pinnacle AM Industry Achievement Award. The Digital Manufacturing Challenge Award, designed to recognize promising new talent and innovative solutions, was bestowed upon a brilliant team from Virginia Tech. This team, comprising Daniel Chirvasuta, Nathanel High, Matthew Martin, T. Benjamin Nguyen, Omkar Shinde, and Nicolas Tomanelli, under the expert advisement of Dr. Chris William, Sean Prat, and Dan Braley, was honored for their pioneering project titled “Hybrid Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing of Topology Optimized Aviation Components.” This project showcased advanced techniques and forward-thinking applications in a critical sector. Following this, the Aubin Additive Manufacturing Case Study Award, which highlights real-world industrial applications and successes, was presented for “Laying the Groundwork for Industrial 3D-Printed Parts in Oil & Gas Applications,” a collaborative effort by Velo3D and IMI Critical Engineering. Notably, a second project from Velo3D also secured the runner-up position, further underscoring their impact on industrial additive solutions.
The winning team from Virginia Tech proudly accepts their Digital Manufacturing Challenge Award (photo credits: 3Dnatives)
Perhaps the most distinguished recognition of the evening was the final award, the highly coveted AM Industry Achievement Award. This year, the honor was bestowed upon Dr. Slade Gardner, the esteemed President and Founder of Big Metal Additive. Dr. Gardner has been a cornerstone of the additive manufacturing industry for many years, particularly renowned for his pioneering work and leadership in large-format additive manufacturing. His sustained contributions have significantly shaped the trajectory of the industry. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, he articulated, “I’ve been in manufacturing my entire career but this award means so much. What’s so important about it is that it’s an industry award. I remember when we were just a prototyping or research community and now thanks to everyone’s hard work, we are recognized as well in industry. With additive manufacturing we have created a new style of manufacturing and I’m really looking forward to see where we take this in the future.” Dr. Gardner’s insightful comments profoundly resonated with a broader sentiment that permeated the entire conference. His words powerfully underscored the significant evolution of additive manufacturing, transitioning from its nascent stages as a prototyping or niche research tool to its current, increasingly secure position as a formidable and indispensable industrial technology. This maturation signifies not just technological advancements but a fundamental shift in how manufacturing processes are conceived and executed globally.
While the first day of RAPID + TCT 2022 has set an exceptionally high bar, the event is far from over! We encourage you to stay tuned for continuous updates and breaking news from the remaining days of the event, delivered directly from 3Dnatives. We are committed to keeping you thoroughly appraised of all the exciting developments and innovations we continue to witness on the show floor. For those keen to delve deeper into the event’s comprehensive program and speaker lineup, be sure to visit the official RAPID + TCT 2022 website HERE. If you are currently attending RAPID + TCT 2022, we’d love to hear from you! What has been your most memorable or favorite part of the event so far? Share your experiences and insights in a comment below or connect with us on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! And to ensure you never miss out on the latest advancements and news in the world of 3D printing, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, delivering essential updates straight to your inbox! You can also explore all our informative videos on our dedicated YouTube channel.
*Cover Photo Credits: 3Dnatives