Exciting presentations, attractive products, lively discussions

Exciting presentations at the conference and exhibitor forum, attractive products at the stands, lively discussions and talks in groups both large and small – the appeal of rapid.tech 3D remains unbroken in its 21st edition. More than 170 exhibitors and speakers will be presenting innovative developments and practical applications of additive manufacturing (AM) at Messe Erfurt until Thursday (15 May 2025). The first Quantum Photonics event, which runs until tomorrow (14 May 2025), also offers synergies. The technology and application fields of AM and quantum technologies overlap and interconnect in numerous ways.

Michael Eichmann emphasised the growing acceptance of additive manufacturing. The chairman of the rapid.tech 3D advisory board and manager at Stratasys pointed to new markets and industries for AM, such as shipbuilding or the military sector. Developments in new fields of application such as defence technology, energy and electrical engineering are reflected in the programme of this year’s rapid.tech 3D. The aim is to continue to be one of the leading specialist events in the industry, emphasised Prof. Christian Seidel, co-chairman of the advisory board and holder of the Chair of Manufacturing Technologies with a focus on additive manufacturing at Munich University of Applied Sciences. That is why this year, the specialist conference and exhibition have been even more effectively interlinked, so that AM solutions and technical innovations can not only be heard, but also seen and understood.

Cost-effectiveness is the key to more AM parts in aviation

Dr Karl-Heinz Dusel delivered the opening keynote speech, very much in line with the event motto, “Innovative and profitable – The future of additive manufacturing”. The head of technology development for additive manufacturing at MTU Aero Engines spoke about the need and opportunities to establish AM as a competitive technology in the aviation industry and outlined MTU’s approach to achieving this. The key is to reduce costs in order to utilise the advantages of AM and make future aircraft engines even more economical, cleaner and quieter.

Innovative and economic developments and applications were also at the centre of the Aerospace and Science trade forums. The VDMA AM4Industry forum focussed on AM and robotics. The VDMA Additive Manufacturing Working Group is the strategic sponsor of the event.

Additive and subtractive manufacturing for confined spaces

Special machine manufacturer Metrom from Hartmannsdorf near Chemnitz and technology partner ALOtec Dresden show what possibilities AM offers in the smallest of spaces. Additive and subtractive manufacturing are combined in a 10-foot container. Small components weighing up to 50 kilograms can be printed inside the container, while mobile processing can be carried out outside the container using laser welding and milling. The system for mobile parts repairs is already proving its worth, for example in the military sector.

PORTEC from Zella-Mehlis has established itself as a development partner for prototypes and small series made of metal and plastic for almost all industries. The company has been an exhibitor at rapid.tech 3D from the very beginning. PORTEC combines 3D printing and casting technologies to accelerate the production of tools for automotive interiors or to customise timing systems for competitive sports, to name but two examples.

In addition to German companies, companies from Belgium, China, France, Italy, Switzerland and the USA will also be exhibiting their range of industrial 3D printing services in Erfurt.

Search is on for “Pioneer of the Decade” at the 3D Pioneers Challenge anniversary show

A highlight of this year’s show is the presentation of the 3D Pioneers Challenge (3DPC). The final of this renowned international competition for additive technologies is being held in Erfurt for the tenth time. To mark the occasion, the “Pioneer of the Decade” title will be awarded. All of the 400-plus finalists to date were eligible to apply. 33 of them made it through to the decade final after a rigorous jury assessment and will be presenting their projects in Erfurt. They come from numerous European countries, as well as from Asia, Africa and the USA. The winner will be announced tomorrow (14 May 2025) and will receive their award at the rapid.tech 3D gala evening.

The evening will also see the presentation of the Big Five Award for outstanding achievements in the field of additive manufacturing.

Internationalisation of the AM market: Opportunities and risks

Internationalisation of the AM market was the topic of the afternoon panel discussion. Moderated by Dr Bernhard Langefeld from Roland Berger, Dr Karl-Heinz Dusel/MTU Aero Engines, Dr Steffen Beyer/Ariane Group, Dr Maximilian Kunkel/Siemens Mobility, Dr Michael Ott/Siemens Healthineers and Prof. Ingomar Kelbassa/Fraunhofer IAPT discussed the opportunities and risks. US policy and the advance of Chinese players in the AM market will inevitably impact Germany and Europe, the panellists concluded, stressing how important it is that here, too, there is the political will to push ahead with AM technologies. The promotion of additive manufacturing set out in the coalition agreement of the new German government is a positive signal in this respect. The panellists also saw the move towards less dependence on the USA, particularly in defence technology, as an opportunity that could lead to a further surge in development. However, the general conclusion was that faster progress is needed in order to industrialise AM economically.

Following the discussion, visitors were able to delve even deeper into current AM topics on the Technical Deep Dives tour. Selected exhibitors presented new developments and use cases directly at their stands. The Deep Dives will take place again tomorrow (14 May 2025).

The after-work party at the end of the first day of the event featured a new addition. The “Best Paper Award” for scientific contributions to the AM Science Poster Session was presented for the first time. 

Two high-calibre keynotes open the second day of the event

The second day of the event (14 May 2025) will begin with two high-calibre keynotes. Pat Warner from the BWT Alpine Formula One Team will explain how AM is speeding things up on and off the track. Max Schaukellis from Roland Berger will talk about technical solutions and success factors for innovative production in the automated AM factory.

Other conference forums include Chemistry & Process Engineering with cooperation partner DECHEMA, Electronics and Components with partner 3-D MID e. V., and Mobility. The programme continues in the exhibitor forum.

The expert tables invite participants to engage in small-group discussions on topics such as 3D printing in medicine, toolmaking and standardisation processes.