TCT Show Birmingham 2017: Unveiling the Future of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

As one of the world’s preeminent events dedicated to 3D printing and additive manufacturing, the TCT Show annually convenes industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts under one roof. In just a couple of weeks, Birmingham, England, will once again host this globally recognized exhibition, promising an immersive three-day experience designed to both inspire and inform its diverse range of visitors. Renowned for its ability to showcase groundbreaking technologies and foster crucial industry connections, the TCT Show stands as a vital platform for the advancement of manufacturing.

The central theme for this year’s much-anticipated event is the “Acceleration of 3D Technologies.” This overarching focus highlights the rapid pace of innovation within the sector and TCT Show’s commitment to driving widespread adoption and understanding. Attendees can expect to encounter a wealth of new insights, cutting-edge solutions, and perhaps even some surprises that will shape the future of design, development, and production. To delve deeper into what makes this year’s TCT Show particularly special and to uncover the exciting offerings awaiting visitors, we had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Holly Delaney, the Visitor Marketing Manager for TCT Show. She provided us with an exclusive, insider’s perspective on this thrilling and transformative event.

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and TCT Show?

“Certainly! My name is Holly Delaney, and I serve as the Visitor Marketing Manager for TCT Show. We are proud to be recognized as one of the world’s leading events dedicated to 3D manufacturing. This year marks our 22nd edition, and with each passing year, the event continues to grow in stature and influence within the global manufacturing landscape. For 2017, we have experienced unprecedented expansion, spreading into a second exhibition hall to accommodate a record-breaking increase in exhibitors. Currently, nearly 300 companies are poised to participate, showcasing their latest innovations and solutions.

The guiding principle and theme for this year’s event, ‘Accelerating 3D Technologies,’ is a direct embodiment and extension of the TCT Group’s core mission. Our overarching goal is to significantly accelerate the adoption and integration of 3D technologies across various stages of design, development, and manufacturing, spanning all industrial sectors. We believe in creating a dynamic environment where the entire 3D manufacturing industry can converge not just for business opportunities, but also for invaluable insight, comprehensive education, and the fostering of groundbreaking innovation. It’s about building a community where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are forged, and the future of manufacturing is collectively shaped.”

3DN: What are the new features of TCT Show Birmingham 2017?

“It’s hard to know where to begin, as we have an incredible lineup of exciting new features this year, and the best part is, they are all free to attend! One of our most anticipated additions is the **Start Up Zone**. This dedicated area is designed to highlight the most promising and innovative new start-up companies within the industry. It provides these emerging businesses with a vital platform to present their groundbreaking ideas, prototypes, and services to a global audience, fostering potential investments and collaborations that could propel them to the forefront of the industry.

Another significant new feature is **Inspex**, a focused exhibition area dedicated to providers of inspection, measurement, and testing technologies. As 3D printing and additive manufacturing mature, the importance of quality control, precision, and verification becomes paramount. Inspex will bring together experts and cutting-edge solutions that ensure the reliability and integrity of 3D manufactured parts, a critical component for industrial adoption. Furthermore, we are thrilled to see the return of **TCT Inspired Minds**. This initiative is a cornerstone of our commitment to nurturing future talent, allowing over 300 school children to engage directly and hands-on with 3D technologies, sparking their curiosity and inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers.

Beyond these dedicated zones, the **conference and seminar program** for 2017 has undergone a massive expansion, in direct alignment with the overall growth of the show. This year, the program will unfold across three distinct and dedicated stages, each offering a unique educational experience. The **Main Stage** is fully CPD accredited, ensuring high-quality, professional development content. It will host esteemed speakers from global giants such as Intel, McLaren Racing, Johnson & Johnson, Sabotage Design, DuPont, and many more, sharing their insights into the strategic applications and future directions of 3D technologies. The **Tech Stage** will also offer a range of CPD accredited workshops, providing practical, in-depth sessions for professionals looking to enhance their technical skills and knowledge in specific areas of additive manufacturing. Finally, the **Product Stage** will serve as a dynamic forum where exhibitors from around the world will present and discuss their latest product launches and service innovations. This stage offers an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to efficiently absorb a vast amount of up-to-the-minute information on the newest offerings in the market, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to make informed decisions over the three-day event.”

3DN: What 3D printing technologies are you wanting to highlight this year?

“This year, TCT Show is set to host several truly monumental showcases and product launches that underscore the theme of accelerating 3D technologies. One of the most eagerly anticipated highlights will be presented by **Stratasys**, who will be displaying the awe-inspiring McLaren-Honda Formula 1 race car. This TCT Show exclusive demonstration will reveal precisely how the elite race team leverages Stratasys’ advanced FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and PolyJet technologies to achieve unparalleled performance enhancements, offering a rare glimpse into high-performance engineering.

Another significant announcement is the global launch of **Materialise’s 3DP AdviceHub**. This innovative concept aims to revolutionize how users access expert guidance and comprehensive resources across all facets of 3D printing. Materialise, a pioneer in the field, is creating a centralized platform to demystify complex processes and provide actionable insights, making advanced additive manufacturing more accessible and efficient for businesses and individuals alike. The UK public will also get their very first opportunity to witness **Desktop Metal’s Studio system** in live action. This groundbreaking system is designed to bring metal 3D printing into the office environment, promising to democratize access to metal additive manufacturing for prototyping and low-volume production.

**Carbon** will be another major draw, demonstrating their revolutionary SpeedCell manufacturing system. This integrated system, combining the M-series 3D printers with smart software and advanced materials, is setting new benchmarks for speed, accuracy, and part consistency in industrial production. Visitors will also get an up-close look at the incredible 3D printed Futurecraft 4D athletic footwear on Carbon’s stand. This innovative shoe, launched earlier this year in partnership with Adidas, exemplifies the transformative potential of additive manufacturing in consumer products. Further insights into this collaboration will be provided by Adidas’ Vice President of Innovation, Gerd Manz, who will deliver a keynote address on the Main Stage on September 28th, diving deeper into the intricate design and sophisticated technology that brought the Futurecraft 4D concept to a tangible reality.

Finally, **CraftUnique** is also choosing TCT Show for the global launch of their new **CraftBot 3** 3D printer. Given the success and popularity of their previous models, there’s considerable excitement around what innovations and improvements the CraftBot 3 will bring to the desktop 3D printing market. I personally cannot wait to get a firsthand look at its capabilities and features, as it promises to be a significant offering for hobbyists, educators, and small businesses alike.”

3DN: In what ways is TCT Show Birmingham helping to accelerate 3D printing and additive manufacturing?

“For more than two decades, TCT Show has consistently been recognized as the definitive global destination to witness the cutting edge of 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Its unique ability to gather such a vast constellation of forward-thinking businesses, pioneering researchers, and influential industry leaders in a single location creates an unparalleled environment. This concentration of expertise fosters a dynamic and truly unique ecosystem that is inherently conducive to the genesis and rapid development of new ideas, which ultimately translate into revolutionary new technologies. With the sheer number and diversity of exhibitors present, TCT Show provides countless invaluable opportunities for professionals across virtually all industries to discover and implement novel applications that can significantly benefit their businesses through the strategic integration of 3D technologies.

Consider the transformative power of rapid prototyping, for instance. This core application of 3D printing can be strategically employed in the early-stage product development cycles across an incredibly broad spectrum of fields. From enabling bespoke and personalized packaging solutions to revolutionizing the design and production of advanced medical devices and sophisticated technology components, aerospace parts requiring extreme precision, innovative plastics, intricate automotive components, architectural models, or complex engineering designs – the potential is virtually limitless. TCT Show plays a pivotal role in accelerating the widespread adoption of 3D printing and additive manufacturing by actively promoting the immense and broad scope of use cases, alongside the tangible benefits these technologies offer. We aim to reach and educate those who may never otherwise have realized just how effectively these advanced manufacturing methods could work for them, thereby breaking down barriers to entry and fostering a deeper understanding of their practical value and return on investment.”

3DN: Any last words for our readers?

“To our esteemed readers and potential attendees, I cannot emphasize enough the profound value of visiting TCT Show. By immersing yourselves in this event, you will guarantee that you remain not only up-to-date, but truly ahead of the curve with the very latest groundbreaking technologies, innovative services, and emerging trends in this incredibly fast-moving and dynamic industry. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to connect and network with your peers, forge new collaborations, and engage in meaningful discussions that can drive your business forward.

Beyond the exhibition floor, you will be truly inspired by a world-class conference program, meticulously curated to deliver actionable insights and thought-provoking discussions from the brightest minds in the field. Furthermore, direct engagement with leading vendors on the show floor will provide you with all the essential information you’ll need. This direct access allows you to thoroughly evaluate solutions to your current challenges and make well-informed purchasing decisions for the crucial year ahead, ensuring your investments yield maximum impact.

As an added benefit, your free visitor badge for TCT Show also grants you exclusive access to four exciting co-located events, significantly enhancing the value of your visit. This includes our esteemed sister show, Interplas 2017, which focuses on plastics manufacturing; the comprehensive PPMA Show, dedicated to processing and packaging machinery; Sensors and Instrumentation, exploring the latest in sensor technology and instrumentation; and Micro Nano MEMS 2017, a delve into micro and nano technologies. This synergy of events offers a holistic view of modern manufacturing and its supporting technologies, providing even more opportunities for discovery and networking across related industries.

TCT Show is scheduled to take place at the NEC, Birmingham (UK) from September 26 to 28, 2017. Registration is completely free and can be completed easily by clicking here. We genuinely look forward to welcoming you to this landmark event. Please let us know in a comment below, or reach out to us on our Facebook and Twitter pages, if you plan to be there too! Your participation helps us build a vibrant community and further accelerate the future of 3D manufacturing.”