President’s Report
Bret Bordner
President
Things are coming along for the 2014 conference. Registration is almost ready (see Secretary’s Report for details), and we are actively working on tracks for the agenda. We have identified 18 areas that we think will support our mission and vision. Once we have a better handle on the topics, we will be calling for presenters and begin formalizing the agenda. Hat’s off to Gary Rabinovitz (past president) for taking care of this for the past two years. I have a better appreciation for how much work goes into pulling together an agenda that flows smoothly and delivers the content you want. I am grateful to have him guide me through the process.
We already have verbal commitments for keynote speakers, and I am very excited about the line-up. Our very own Todd Grimm will be starting things off on Monday, and the always-interesting Jason Lopes from Legacy Effects will follow. If you have not seen either of these two speak, I encourage you to not miss them. Our special treat to end the week will be Dr. Mike North. Don’t let his title mislead; Mike is energetic, vibrant and enthusiastic when he talks about design, engineering and innovation. Mike is a TV personality, scientist, philanthropist and entrepreneur. His presentation will be another “must see.”
Don’t let the skills of these speakers keep you from the stage. If you have a topic you’d like to present, please drop me a line (President@am-ug.com). But don’t delay; the sooner we get started the better.
All the best,
Bret Bordner
AMUG President
president@am-ug.com
Our Mission: Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies.
Vice President’s Report
Derek Ellis
Vice President
Believe it or not, we are approaching the fourth quarter — the time to submit budgets for next year. So that means it is time to get budget approval for the upcoming 2014 AMUG Conference, an event you will not want to miss. Don’t forget to mention the undeniable ROI for attendees, sponsors and exhibitors.
The board has revamped and improved the exhibitor expo (which was been renamed AMUGexpo) and sponsorship formats. In the next few weeks, we will be contacting companies that should be interested in sponsoring or exhibiting to provide the details and ask for participation.
I encourage you to review the sponsor level offerings and exhibitor packages. Just one of the new benefits you have as a sponsor or exhibitor is the opportunity to exhibit ancillary equipment at the AMUGexpo. We have also expanded the opportunities to exhibit AM equipment.
If you have any questions, please contact me or Mark Barfoot at VicePresident@am-ug.com.
Derek Ellis
Vice President
vicepresident@am-ug.com
Sponsor News – Stratasys
New Webinar Compares PolyJet and FDM Technologies
Now that Stratasys offers both Fused Deposition Modeling™ (FDM®) and PolyJet™ technologies, it’s in a good position to offer an apples-to-apples comparison of the two methods, without brand pride stealing the spotlight. In a new webinar, Fred Fischer, Stratasys director of applications and materials, delivers the straight dope on the benefits and limitations of the two methods. It’s good viewing for professionals wondering which system is right for their applications. Fischer covers output, operation and material options. Watch the webinar on demand.
TCT + Personalize
All About the News
New logo for the publications
The past month has been an exciting one for the TCT team, as preparation for TCT Show + Personalize presses on in earnest. The major announcements from some of the big-name organizations should lead to interesting discussions when the event takes place next month.
One of the most notable announcements made in August was news that 3D Systems is acquiring cloud-based collaborative design and project management platform TeamPlatfom. The 3D printing giant announced its plans to integrate TeamPlatform’s technology into both its professional and consumer offerings, including Geomagic Solutions and Cubify.com. Read >>
Stratasys has also been busy ‘making hay’ with the industry giant unveiling its strategy to provide 3D printers to The UPS Store as part of an initiative that will make it the first national retailer in the US to offer a 3D printing service. The service lets UPS Store customers have their 3D designs 3D printed on-site. Read >>
ExOne has been industrious too, with the company announcing that work has begun on its new facility in Gersthofen, Germany. Construction is scheduled to reach completion in 2014. The facility will comprise 150,700 sq ft of production, warehouse, service and research & development space. Read >>
In addition to expanding its overseas reach, ExOne has added to its range of materials. The company announced a collaboration with rp+m to develop bonded tungsten. rp+m will use this material in its products to protect people and their environments from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Read >>
Leading engineering company Renishaw has been lending its additive manufacturing expertise to the BLOODHOUND Supersonic Car project. It is contributing its technological know-how to create key prototype parts for the vehicle, which will attempt to break the 1,000 mph speed barrier in 2015. Renishaw’s advanced manufacturing research will be applied to the nose tip of the car, which will be subjected to forces as high as 12 tons per sq m. Renishaw’s laser melting machines are being brought in to build these crucial pieces, which will be the first parts of the car to break through any new land speed record. Read >>
And the use of additive manufacturing in the creation of extraordinary vehicles is being explored by Toyota Motorsport GmbH. DSM is collaborating with original equipment manufacturers to develop materials that provide true thermoplastic performance. DSM’s Somos Stereolithography Materials Group teamed up with Toyota Motorsport to develop materials to withstand the rigors of 24 Hours of Le Mans for the FIA World Endurance Championship in Le Mans, France. Read >>
Register for free at mytct.co/tctshow2013 or visit www.tctshow.com for more information.
Sad News
We’ve just learned that Randy Stevens, operations manager for In’Tech Industries, passed away unexpectedly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Randy has been a long-time supporter of AMUG and was well respected in the industry. He will be missed.
In’Tech has posted Randy’s obituary here.
Sponsor News – Stratasys
Videos Get Up Close and Technical with 3D Printing Materials
See some impressive 3D-printed prototypes, tools and end-use parts in a new video series by Stratasys materials expert Sam Green. Green does not shy away from technical specs as he shows off photopolymers and thermoplastics.
Q & A with Arcam
ENGINEERING.com
Gary Anderson spoke with Magnus René, President and CEO of Arcam AB, about the company, technology and partnerships. Read what insight Magnus had to offer.
Secretary’s Report
Kim Killoran
Secretary
Yes, it’s time to start looking forward to the AMUG Education & Training Conference. We’ve been working hard on getting our registration system up and running — it should be available in the next few weeks. We’ve increased the ease of use and functionality of the system to address issues people had last year. Some of the improvements and features are:
- Individual registration sections for attendees, sponsor and exhibitors
- ‘Save & Return Later’ under the payment pull down menu lets you register now
- Ability to make changes to your registration at any time before the event
We’ll notify you when registration is open, but you can always visit our website to access the registration link. We look forward to another record turnout in 2014.
Kim Killoran
Secretary
The Sorovetz Report
Tom Sorovetz
Event Manager
The 2014 Conference and AMUGexpo are only eight months away, and I know everyone is anxiously waiting to register for the hotel as well as the conference. The hotel is working on our AMUG registration page, and it should be available within a week. Please check the website for the registration link, which we will post as soon as it is available.
For the 2014 conference, I would like to set up a few activities for the spouses and guests to do while we are in our meetings. However, I would like to know how many people would be interested as well as what the “price point” should be. So any input would be great. Please send the information to the EventManager@am-ug.com e-mail address.
For the adventurous that might be interested in sightseeing pre- or post-conference and are planning on going to Mexico, make sure your rental car and medical insurance cover you when across the border. If you work for a larger company, you should also review your corporate policy for travel to Mexico and obtain any necessary approvals.
Thomas A. Sorovetz
Event Manager
