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On September 26th-28th I was part of the 10,000 strong crowd of visitors to descend on the TCT Show, the UK’s biggest 3D Print and Additive Manufacturing Showcase. With over 300 exhibitors, 2017’s TCT was the biggest yet and the big names were out in force on the main stage to talk about how 3D technologies are being used on a daily basis within their businesses. Representatives from Intel, McLaren Racing, Johnson & Johnson and Dupont all took to the stage to talk about their use of 3D technology in their industries.

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 View from TCT 2016

Photocentric

Based in Peterborough, Photocentric is historically a leader in Photopolymer chemicals. They are bringing a range of LCD 3D to market which will be manufactured in the UK. Utilising low powered LCD screens to cure material these machines offer the fastest and highest resolution LCD printer to date with a layer print speed of under 8 seconds.

MarkForged

While MarkForged were not exhibiting themselves, they did bring their latest models via their UK distributor. Markforged is based in Boston US, which is quickly emerging as the centre for all things 3D in the US. They were the first manufacturer for to offer Desktop Carbon Fibre printing and recently announced two new models capable of interlacing carbon infused filament and fibreglass, and producing production-ready components that are stronger than Steel. Both printers have auto-levelling and scanning systems to ensure each printed object is exactly like every other.

Desktop Metal 3D

Desktop Metal 3D Printing is here, albeit at £50,000+. Desktop Metal 3D, a US Company, showed off their smaller metal 3D printing systems. The machine is built for high precision using high-end components

To show off the capabilities, they had macroscopes on the stand to zoom in on parts with complex geometries. They also presented recent case studies of their work with BMW and Caterpillar. The most exciting thing about this machine for me is the boundaries being pushed and that the size and price point is coming down all the time.

Rize

Another US-based company based in Boston, and another purely industrial machine priced over £20k. This is one of the first machines to utilise both 3D filament and inkjet technology within a single chassis. It was also the first time this machine had been seen in the UK. We had a long discussion with their newly appointed VP of Marketing, Julie Reece, and very much like Desktop Metal, this product will only be available to VARs who can support with consultation, install and service. This is very much becoming the norm among the industrial models entering the desktop space. Never the less, it is still very exciting technology and one we should see filter down into more accessible models over the coming years.

Adidas & Carbon 3D

In close collaboration with the Carbon3D, Adidas is challenging the industry on innovation to improve the performance of athletic shoes. The sportswear giant will release 300 pairs of 3D Printed trainers for family and friends, followed by around 5,000 later this year. Adidas said there will be more than 100,000 pairs by the end of 2018.

Key highlights of the AMUK National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing

  • Global Market size today $6bn
  • Annual growth is forecast at >20% annually reaching $70bn by 2025.
  • Planned level of investment from UK industries over next 5 years of £600m
  • The fundamental step-change driver for a move to additive manufacturing is the design opportunity presented
  • The need for a strong and collaborative campaign to raise awareness among all firms in all sectors to highlight the potential as well as to dispel the myths and hype.
  • Collation and publication of case studies
  • Support R&D to help educate, develop equipment capability, and provide support for challenge-led strategic design activity
  • Create and Run awareness campaigns, and build awareness across the whole education sector
  • Establish and run a national help contact point organisation
  • Develop links to the digital space

All in all an exciting show with lots of developments! Bring on FormNext!

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