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AMUG Newsletter December 2015

By December 3, 2015October 26th, 2018

Keeping Up with Change

Mark Barfoot President

Mark Barfoot
President

As the end of 2015 approached, I reflected on the past year and thought of the new technologies and new companies that emerged in the additive manufacturing space. This expansion, coupled with all of the changes, heightens the need for a place where users can come together, share stories and work together to get this “new technology” integrated in everyday business activities.

AMUG is that location.

We’ve seen increased adoption of metal additive manufacturing this year, so it is a strong focus of this year’s conference, as it has been in the past. Yet, the AMUG Conference will continue to cover all types of additive manufacturing—including all plastic and metal offerings. 2016 will be a year with record numbers of sponsors, exhibitors and attendees, but we are working hard to ensure the conference still delivers on all of the items that make the conference unique—the quality training & hands-on sessions, the networking, the openness and the sharing of valuable insights.

Have a great holiday season and stay tuned for even more details on the 2016 AMUG Conference.

All the best,

Mark Barfoot, AMUG president
President@am-ug.com

St. Louis in the Spring

The 2016 conference venue is the St. Louis Union Station – a Doubletree Hotel, which is located the heart of downtown. For those that have never been to St. Louis, get ready for a great time; for those that have been there before, you understand all of the excitement and hustle & bustle that happens downtown in the spring.

There are many things to do in St. Louis so plan on coming early to explore the sights, such as the St. Louis Zoo, Anheuser Busch Brewery, St. Louis Arch, and for those interested in archeology, the Cahokia Mounds. Cahokia was once home to the most advanced civilization north of Mexico and is a U.N. World Heritage Site because of its role in early American history. St. Louis is also known for great restaurants.

There is a lot to do in St. Louis, so come early to the conference, or stay a few extra days, and bring the family.

St. Louis isn’t a warm-weather destination in the spring, but it certainly isn’t cold. The average temperature in April is in the low- to mid-70s for the daytime high (however, this year’s high was 83 °F on April 9th). The pool is outside, but we will have it heated to 85 °F and open 24 hours, so plan to bring your bathing suit for some late evening relaxation.

Extracurricular Activities

Why not start the conference with some outdoor sporting activities?

Golfers will be heading to Gateway National Golf Course, a Scottish-style course where rolling links, separated by gentle mounds, meander through lush, green pasturelands. If you are interested in some scramble play, please contact Bob Dzugan (RDzugan@buycastings.com).

Gateway National Golf Course

Gateway National Golf Course

Want to do something a bit different? Give skeet shooting a try. You will be shooting sporting clays at the St. Louis Skeet and Trap Club. If you are interested in participating, please contact Stefan Ritt (Stefan.Ritt@slm-solutions.com).

AMUG skeet shooting in Tucson (2013)

AMUG skeet shooting in Tucson (2013)

Scholarships

In the honor and memory of two long-time supporters of AMUG, there are two scholarships available. To be considered, applications must be received by February 15, 2016. So, hurry and get a student or educator that you know to submit so that they have a chance to attend the AMUG Conference.

The Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship is awarded annually to one college student for additive manufacturing and 3D printing education and professional development. It is open to any student with any major (such as manufacturing, engineering, design, art and medical) who has an emphasis on, and a passion for, additive manufacturing and integrating additive manufacturing into their professional world. You can find more details on the scholarship here.

The Randy Stevens Scholarship was created to reward the activities of a professor/teacher that focuses on additive manufacturing education and professional development. Educators that have brought additive manufacturing into the classroom, in any way, are eligible. For details and a downloadable application, visit the scholarship page.

Winners (announced on March 10, 2016) will attend the 2016 AMUG Conference with airfare, hotel, meals and conference fees covered by the scholarships.

Lydia Nelson

Lydia Nelson

Yaser Shanjani

Yaser Shanjani

2015 scholarship winners

Technical Competition

In January we will start accepting submissions for the 2016 AMUG Technical Competition. Winners receive a complimentary AMUG attendee pass to the 2017 AMUG Conference. Entries will be accepted from January 1 through March 21st. Visit the competition’s page for all of the details and registration form (downloadable in January).

The Technical Competition has two categories: Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing. The Advanced Concepts category recognizes exemplary work that “pushes the envelope.” The Advanced Finishing category recognizes the efforts of those that bring a part to life.

All entries will be displayed at the conference’s AMUGexpo and will be judged by a panel of five “DINOs,” AMUG honorees that are expert users who graciously contribute to the member community. Winners will be announced during the conference at the Award Banquet.

To be eligible, a company representative must be a registered attendee for the 2016 AMUG Conference. If you have any questions, send us email inof@am-ug.com.

2015 Technical Competition winners.

2015 Technical Competition winners.

Eric Wencel Passes Eric_Wencel

It is with a heavy heart that the AMUG family says goodbye to Eric Wencel, marketing manager for SLM Solutions. Eric had a great laugh and was a welcome sight on the trade show circuit. We extend our condolences to Eric’s family and girlfriend, friends and the SLM Solutions family.

Eric passed away on November 19th, following an evening run. He will be missed. You can read Eric’s obituary, post to the remembrance book and view photos here.

Sponsor News – Concept Laser

Frank Herzog among “The Group of the Best” for the “German Future Prize 2015”

Industry needs guiding beacons. People and projects act as models for innovations that symbolize change and modifications. Frank Herzog, founder, president and CEO of the machinery and plant manufacturer Concept Laser, was recognized as part of the prize ceremony for the “German Future Prize 2015,” together with his two project partners, as being among the “group of the best.” The official ceremony for all three nominated teams was held on December 2 in Berlin in the presence of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck. A permanent exhibition at the German Museum in Munich will showcase the projects of the nominated teams. More information.

Concept Laser is a proud Diamond Sponsor of #AMUG2016. Our sponsor program will be available soon.

(left to right): Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Peter Sander (Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann (LZN Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH, Hamburg), President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck and Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Frank Herzog (Concept Laser GmbH, Lichtenfels).

(left to right): Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Peter Sander (Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann (LZN Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH, Hamburg), President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck and Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Frank Herzog (Concept Laser GmbH, Lichtenfels).

Sponsor News – Renishaw

Additive Manufacturing Solutions Centres – Your Pathway to Innovative AM Products

Renishaw Solutions Centres provide a secure development environment in which you can build your knowledge and confidence using AM technology.

Equipped with the latest AM systems and staffed with knowledgeable engineers, a Solutions Centre offers you a fast and accessible way to rapidly deploy this exciting technology in your business.

Renishaw will support you throughout your investigation and business case development process, helping you to optimize your design, build your confidence in the process, and gain the evidence you need to make investment decisions, all at predictable and manageable costs.

While AM can create complex geometries in a single process step, some level of finishing is generally required to produce functional products. Our knowledge of metrology, machining and finishing processes can assist you to develop an integrated manufacturing solution.

Find out more by visiting our website.

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Sponsor News – SLM Solutions

Formnext — High Demand for SLM Solution’s AM Technology

At formnext powered by TCT, SLM Solutions’ focus was on the live operation of its additive manufacturing systems. Visitors watched as the machines built-up layer by layer in high speed. The new SLM® 500 HL with Quad Laser technology and the optional version with four 700 W lasers gained the main interest. The SLM Solutions’ experts also showed further functions for quality improvement, such as the meltpool and laser power monitoring facilities.

From the first day to the last, the SLM Solutions booth was packed. Andreas Frahm, the managing director of sales and marketing of SLM Solutions Ltd., said, “We made many new contacts from various countries and from various sectors and application areas. Right during the event, we were already able to enter some orders in our books, especially for our new SLM® 500 HL.” Frahm named six companies placing orders for eight SLM systems.

“We are very satisfied with the premiere of formnext and view it as a big success,” stated Stefan Ritt, head of global marketing. “We campaigned for formnext and that was, from the vantage point of the present, definitely the right decision. Certainly, we will participate in 2016.”

SLM Solutions' stand at formnext

SLM Solutions’ stand at formnext

TCT + Personalize

A Christmas Gift from TCT

As the year draws to a close, there is plenty to reflect upon for TCT + Personalize: there has been the development and execution of two debut shows in Shanghai and Frankfurt, a record-breaking TCT Show + Personalize UK, six top-quality editions of TCT Magazine + Personalize and the launch of our North American magazine.

On that note, our North American readers should already have a copy of the inaugural issue. We’d really appreciate feedback as well as suggestions for applications or technologies to be covered in the future. To subscribe visit tctmagazine.com/subscribe, and for feedback, email group editor, Daniel O’Connor.

We’ve finalized the program for our now-annual 3D Printing Conference at CES in Las Vegas. This year’s line-up is the best yet, and it includes talks from Carbon3D, Made in Space, Todd Grimm, Voxel8, SOLS, Jabil, Source3, Authentise and HP. Our gift to AMUG is a 20% discount code for CES — to obtain your

Objet350 Connex3

ENGINEERING.com

Stratasys’ Objet350 Connex3 is a mid-sized PolyJet printer that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including functional prototypes, marketing, jigs & fixtures and much more. Similar to the company’s Connex2 models, the Connex3 employs triple-jetting technology to mix flexible and rigid materials to create Digital ABS materials with various properties. What sets the Connex3 line apart from previous models is its ability to jet user-defined color materials into a print.

But who uses this printer?

Trek Bicycle Corporation has been doing pioneering bicycle design work for the last 39 years. Because of their passion for cycling, Trek engineers are always looking to test their designs using cutting edge technology. Sticking to that mantra, the Trek prototyping team was among the first to get their hands on a Connex3.

But why did they want a Connex3? Learn more at ENGINEERING.com.

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Metal Additive Manufacturing Magazine

Autumn/Fall Issue

In the 80-page Autumn/Fall 2015 issue of Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine, you will find an extensive industry news section along with the following articles and reports:

  • The current status and outlook for metal AM in Japan
  • A story of failure and success in metal AM: The reality of developing a titanium bike part
  • AM developments at PM Titanium 2015
  • To invest or not to invest: The business cases for entering the AM arena
  • Hoeganaes Corporation: A global leader in metal powder production targets AM
  • Size and shape optimization of metal powders for AM

Download your free PDF copy of the magazine dedicated to the world of metal Additive Manufacturing.

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