RAPID + TCT 2017: The Greatest Collection of Minds and Technology in Additive Manufacturing

The greatest minds in additive manufacturing will convene at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh for SME’s RAPID + TCT event, May 8-11.  A vast collection of 3D printing knowledge and innovation will be accessible in one location at this annual event, known globally for its expansive conference and exhilarating, hands-on show floor.

RAPID + TCT 2017 attendees will truly see how new technology is changing the state of manufacturing as we know it. The keynote presentations will feature some of the most influential leaders in additive manufacturing speak on the latest industry trends, strategies, products, and processes. What can we expect to see from some of the biggest companies and industries utilizing 3D technologies? How will these applications impact the industry as a whole? RAPID + TCT seeks to shed light on these questions with a compelling keynote lineup, which includes leaders from GE, Northwestern University, and more.

Kicking off the RAPID + TCT keynotes on Monday, May 8 is Mickey McManus, Chairman and Principal at MAYA Design and Research Fellow at Autodesk. Digital manufacturing is transforming the way we design, make, and use things. McManus will explore how this trend is resulting in a transformation that will leave some jobs and industries behind while creating entirely new categories of work and business. McManus is a pioneer in the field of collaborative innovation, pervasive computing, human-centered design, and education. He co-authored the award-winning book Trillions: Thriving in the Emerging Information Ecology, a field guide to the future of technology.

In recent years, GE has made their commitment to advancing additive manufacturing well known, making notable investments in machines, materials, and services. They are reimagining how products are designed, made, and serviced in their new Brilliant Factories, creating a new era in manufacturing. On Tuesday’s keynote, GE Executive Vice President and Chief Productivity Officer Philippe Cochet will discuss how the company is paving the way for next generation manufacturing, resulting in significant productivity gains for customers and shareholders. Cochet works with the company’s industrial businesses to establish and deliver the best practices in operations, manufacturing, services, cost competitiveness, and customer focus that make the sum of GE businesses greater than the individual parts.

Medical/biomedical is one of the fastest growing application areas of additive manufacturing. One area that has already made a large impact in medicine is personalized care enabled by additive manufacturing. With recent advances in functional biomaterials development for 3D printing, what’s next may be closer than you think. Dr. Ramille Shah and her team at Northwestern University have developed an extensive range of tunable 3D printable biomedical material platforms. On Wednesday’s keynote, Dr. Shah will discuss how this work has already shown promise for creating a functional ovary bioprosthesis with the potential to restore and preserve fertility and hormone function in pediatric cancer survivors, among many other exciting developments. She will be joined by plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Sue Jordan to share some of the ongoing, impactful work and discuss its potential to improve and even save lives.

Widely recognized industry expert Terry Wohlers returns to RAPID + TCT once again to lead Thursday’s keynote and provide a well-versed prospective on the current state of additive manufacturing. A consultant, analyst, and author, Terry Wohlers is president of Wohlers Associates, Inc., and has over 30 years of experience in the additive manufacturing industry. As patents continue to expire and new machine and material producers enter the business, the choices available are expanding significantly. With big-name manufacturing companies making major commitments to additive technologies, more changes lie ahead. Wohlers will explore these trends, as well as the industry’s focus on applying additive manufacturing to production volumes—an area ripe for additional investment, innovation, and large business opportunities.

Keynotes are complimentary for all RAPID + TCT attendees. To register for the event, visit rapid3Devent.com. Discuss in the RAPID forum at 3DPB.com.

Maria Conrado is the Event Manager, SME.