AMUG December 2023

Save by registering today

January is right around the corner—and so is the first price increase for the AMUG Conference. Don’t miss out on the year’s most impactful educational and networking conference. Curious about why you should attend? Just ask Massimo De Pastena, sales manager at Tiger-Vac, who’s been attending for 7 years.

“AMUG is a great opportunity to find new customers and maintain relationships with current customers,” says Massimo. “It is also a great place to learn about new products and new applications, as well as learn from the industry and gain customer feedback.”

Whether you need to use up your budget in 2023 or you need to wait until the new year starts, make sure to register by January 5 to secure the $1,295 early-bird rate. See you in Chicago!

Register today.

AMUG 2024 Special Event and Dinner is going back to the ’80s

Wednesday night will feature our ‘Special Event and Dinner.’ While the day and name (formerly called the Off-site Dinner) change, it will once again be a great time for all, and its location won’t be revealed in advance.

The change comes to provide more time for our sponsors and exhibitors in the AMUGexpo.  The AMUGexpo will run Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights.  Everyone will remain together to promote more networking and conversation.

Come prepared.

The special event and dinner will be ’80s-themed, and we are inviting everyone to dress the part. While optional, consider bringing ‘80s garb and accessories to Chicago.

Actively seeking candidates for the upcoming AMUG Board elections

We are approaching the end of the year and nearing the closing date for Submissions of Interest to get your name on the election ballot for board positions. Please consider taking on a leadership position and send us your Submission of Interest before January 26, 2024.

The Nominating Committee is actively reviewing the submissions and is looking forward to speaking with potential candidates. We will be helping all interested candidates understand what each position involves prior to confirming the nominations. Once confirmed, the candidates appear on the ballot for elections, which will take place during AMUG 2024.

If it is agreed that an AMUG Board position isn’t quite right for you, the Nominating Committee will work with you to find a suitable path for you to contribute to the AMUG team.

Please complete your Submission of Interest soon so we can begin talking and work towards getting you involved in a way that leverages your experience while considering the time you can dedicate to AMUG.

AMUG Scholarship applications closing soon

If you know any students or educators in the AM/3D Printing space, please encourage them to apply for an AMUG Scholarship. But don’t delay; applications are accepted through January 15, 2024.

Details on the scholarships and links to the application submission portal are available at amug.com/scholarships.

Those selected for the scholarships received expenses-covered access to the AMUG Conference. The opportunity to attend the AMUG Conference, where the scholarship recipients are immersed in the AM community, is invaluable. There are two distinct categories.

Second pre-conference training program added

SME will be hosting a one-day Certified Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals (CAMF) review course and exam before the AMUG conference on Sunday, March 10. The course and certification are ideal for individuals working in AM roles in automotive, aerospace, and medical equipment. Through discussion-based learning and interactive sessions, participants will receive comprehensive introductory knowledge of the 3D printing technology and industry. Upon successful completion of the exam, participants will be officially certified and able to use the CAMF designation.

Registration will open soon, so keep an eye out for the link here.

Don’t forget ASTM’s course on methods of qualification and certification that is also taking place before the AMUG Conference. Details and registration information can be found here.

Both classes are a great opportunity for AMUG Members, so book your travel for an early arrival in Chicago to take advantage of these AM knowledge enhancement programs.

AMUG Student Poster Board applications are being accepted

AMUG educates and advances the uses and applications of AM technologies. In that vein, we want students to be able to experience the conference, community, and companies—as well as present their work.

The Student Day & Poster Board Session at the 2024 AMUG Conference is a full and free day for students to experience all that AMUG has to offer. Selected students will attend the day’s keynote speech, ask questions during the industry leaders & early career panel, and present their work during the poster board session.

The AMUG team will review all applications. If selected, a final schedule will be sent out, accompanied by details about the conference and poster session.

If you know any students in the AM/3D printing space, please encourage them to apply.

For more information, visit the poster board page.

The deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Submission link.

Something special at AMUG 2024: AMUGderby

We have added a fun event to the AMUG 2024 program in which you can participate or spectate.

On Tuesday evening (March 12, 2024), AMUG is hosting its inaugural AMUGderby during the AMUGexpo. Gravity-powered racecars, built by AMUG Members, won’t have wood bodies made of pine. Instead, competitors will design and print the racecars using AM technologies and materials. Those bodies will be paired with stock wheels and axles.

The cars will compete head-to-head, and the fastest car will be named the champion of the 2024 AMUGderby.

AMUG will also award a ‘Best Design’ prize. So, while iterating your design for raw speed, let your creativity run wild.

The derby won’t be a free-for-all in terms of vehicle specifications. There are limits to size, weight, and configurations that will be confirmed during pre-race inspection. For AMUGderby rules, design specs, and a link to purchase wheels/axles, visit our derby page.

AMUG 2024: Thank you for your early support!

AMUG extends its sincere gratitude to all the sponsors/exhibitors who have registered to be part of next year’s event. Your early commitment means the world to us, and we’re thrilled to be working with you to make AMUG 2024 the most successful conference yet.

There is still some room in our program, so we encourage our members to invite companies that provide services and equipment to support the 3D printing industry. AMUG 2024 provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with potential customers, showcase your expertise, and build lasting relationships within the industry.

As a reminder, booth selection slots were released last week. If you haven’t already registered, don’t delay! The best spots tend to go quickly, so secure your ideal location today and maximize your exposure at AMUG 2024.

And don’t forget about our meeting rooms! Whether you need a space for one-on-one meetings, small group discussions, or large presentations, we offer a variety of sizes and configurations at incredibly competitive prices. Reserve your meeting room today (in the AMUG Service Center)  for one to five days and ensure you have the perfect space for your needs at the conference.

As we approach the holiday season, we wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. We look forward to welcoming you to AMUG 2024 and sharing in another year of innovation, collaboration, and growth within the 3D printing industry.

On behalf of the entire AMUG team, thank you again for your continued support. We are excited about what promises to be another incredible event!

SPONSOR NEWS

End of year savings on SOLIDWORKS

As the largest supplier of SOLIDWORKS in the US, we wanted to make sure you have everything you need to start the new year right. Save up to 58% on your purchase of SOLIDWORKS software and the GoEngineer Elite Success Plan, including unlimited online training!

This incredible package includes:

• Industry-leading SOLIDWORKS CAD software
• US-based, 12hr/day technical support
• SOLIDWORKS Essentials Training
• Certification Prep Courses
• Dedicated Customer Success Manager
• Unlimited Access to Supported Self-Paced Training Courses
• And much more…

Learn more about our promotions and discover more about the Elite Success plan.

Unraveling material property discrepancies within Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)

Stratasys recently released a whitepaper titled “Beyond the Data Sheet: Unidirectional Material Testing May Mislead Manufacturing.”

This white paper was motivated by claims of superior material properties by FFF (fused filament fabrication) competitors despite internal Stratasys testing that demonstrated otherwise. This incongruity between published and demonstrated specifications stems from differences in the toolpaths and build orientation of mechanical test specimens between Stratasys test methods and competitors.

3D printing mechanical samples with unidirectional toolpaths are appropriate to show the maximum strength of a carbon-fiber-filled material, but they are not representative of the material strength within the typical FDM 3D-printed part.

Discover how optimized unidirectional toolpaths led to impressive improvements in heat deflection, tensile modulus, and yield strength for Stratasys FDM Nylon-CF10, showcasing the potential for enhanced FDM 3D printing materials.

Access the whitepaper.

Advancements in Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Unlocking the potential of copper with DMG MORI’s innovations in bimetallic deposition

DMG MORI has propelled the use of copper in Directed Energy Deposition (DED) through groundbreaking innovations. Overcoming historical challenges of copper’s reflective nature, DMG MORI integrates blue lasers with shorter wavelengths, enabling precise deposition of advanced copper alloys and pure copper.

Enhanced cladding strategies, employing copper alloys like CuAl10 and CU18150, along with high-power lasers exceeding 3,000 W, showcase the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of bimetallic deposition. Practical applications in the space industry, such as cladding Inconel onto copper substrates for rocket nozzles, demonstrate the versatility and precision of DMG MORI’s solutions.

The economic benefits of DED-hybrid machines, spanning larger dimensions, offer cost-effective opportunities for industries seeking advanced and efficient manufacturing solutions, solidifying DMG MORI’s position at the forefront of AM advancements.

To learn more, visit www.dmgmori.com.

MEDIA SPONSOR NEWS

Will Formlabs Merge with Markforged?

Markforged founder and former CEO Greg Mark took to LinkedIn to request that fellow Boston-area 3D printing firm Formlabs acquire his old company. 3DPrint.com looks at the synergies and backgrounds involved in such a deal.

Read our thoughts here.

Connect with TCT in 2024

The last issue of TCT Magazine for 2023 is now in the hands of our subscribers, so we’re looking ahead to next year.

We’ve just updated our media planner with new opportunities for 2024 across our magazines, website, podcasts, events, and more. Our print magazine does exactly what it says in our media kit—every issue is printed and mailed directly to our thousands of subscribers across Europe and North America. If you would like to reach them, get in touch to start planning.

Working alongside our esteemed TCT Editorial Advisory Board, our in-house editorial team is also keen to hear from you, the AM community, about fresh AM applications, particularly within SMEs, and the challenges you would like to see tackled through our original content.

Whether it’s print, our global conferences, or digital products, our inboxes are open to work with you in 2024. Until then, wishing you all a happy holiday and a successful new year.

Slowly but surely: Industrializing metal AM the Norwegian way

While the Norwegian market for AM has long revolved around prototyping and polymer materials, metal AM has seen rapid development in recent years. This is largely thanks to the opportunities the country’s oil and gas industry is now seeing in the technology.

In his article, Joppe N. Christensen considers why it has taken so long to get started with metal AM in Norway and introduces companies and individuals who are now leading the way.

You can download your full digital copy here.

For more unparalleled insight into the world of metal AM, please join our mailing list.

AM coverage in 2024: A wide range of resources

3D ADEPT Media is a global media company that tracks and analyses the latest trends in the AM industry and all vertical industries adopting AM technologies. As a source for high-quality, accurate, and timely AM insights, we pride ourselves on delivering up-to-date information you can rely on through various digital and print resources. Those resources include but are not limited to our Additive Talks series, our online media and content marketing opportunities, our International Catalogue of AM Solutions, as well as our print & interactive digital magazine 3D ADEPT Mag.

As we head into 2024, we welcome the opportunity to support you in educating vertical industries adopting AM technologies. Request our media kit here.

Hardware takes the lead as largest metal AM segment

In the metal AM industry, hardware emerges as the predominant segment, outperforming others in market value and growth, according to VoxelMatters Research’s recently released Metal AM Market 2023 report. This sector’s robust performance is largely driven by the aerospace industry, a pioneering adopter of metal AM technologies. The aerospace sector leads in combined revenues, accruing from the sales of metal AM hardware, materials, and services. However, other sectors are not far behind in leveraging these innovations. The industrial parts segment, for instance, is rapidly expanding its use of metal AM, indicating a growing trend in this area. It’s closely followed by the medical and automotive segments, both of which are also integrating metal AM into their production processes.

Regionally, the EMEA area dominates the core metal AM market. Germany, in particular, stands out as a key player, primarily due to its pivotal role in developing and advancing Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology. This regional dominance is attributed to the strong industrial base and the early adoption of AM technologies. The EMEA’s leadership in the metal AM market reflects a broader trend of technological innovation and industrial advancement in these regions.

Each chapter (overview, hardware, materials, services, vertical, and geography) in the 300-page report includes a detailed qualitative and quantitative study and forecast of wired-based processes (WAAM, EBAM, wire-based L-DED), bound metal-based processes (extrusion, stereolithography, and SLS), and consolidation processes (friction-stir welding, cold spray, and ultrasound).

Read the full article online, and don’t miss the new VoxelMatters’report on Metal AM.

Out now: Latest edition of Digital Engineering

Just in time for Christmas, the latest issue of Digital Engineering takes a look at how toy designers and manufacturers leverage the latest simulation and production technologies—and what lessons other industries can learn from them.

The issue includes features on how toy production has been revolutionized by 3D printing, as well as articles on new methods for visualization and design. You can download the digital issue here.

Prototyping the Gutsy Port, an empowering solution for ostomates

The Gutsy Port, created by Charlotte Böhning, is a revolutionary medical port design that enables bag-free moments for ostomates. Böhning used a bodystorming process to empathize with users and continues to interview ostomates around the world at different points in their lives. She leverages 3D printing technology to create high-fidelity prototypes and is ready to take her design to the next level.

Read her inspiring story here.

The growing Indian AM ecosystem: A promising frontier

The article by AM Chronicle explores the rapidly evolving Indian AM ecosystem,  which is driven by a confluence of factors such as technological advancements, government initiatives, and a burgeoning interest from industries across the spectrum.

Read the full story.

Who won the 2023 3D Printing Industry Awards?

The 3DPI Awards made a triumphant return to the live format. Our black-tie gala dinner welcomed international guests for an evening celebrating excellence in AM. Read about the  2023 3D Printing Industry Awards winners, plus plenty of photos of guests in 3D-printed accessories and even outfits!

In selecting the winners, we are incredibly grateful for the depth and breadth of knowledge provided by members of the Expert Committee. As a forum to discuss the state of AM and, in numerous cases, business collaborations, the committee’s insights were invaluable.

Want to help us select winners in 2024? Register your interest here.

Filaments vs pellets: Which type of plastic to choose for 3D printing?

Plastics are one of the most widely used material families in AM. Available in many forms – filaments, pellets, powders, resins— they meet the needs and requirements of manufacturers in many sectors, but it can be hard to know which type is best suited for each need or application.

While we compared powders to resins a few months ago, it is now time to take a look at two other polymer families: filaments and pellets. What are their characteristics? Which 3D printing processes are they compatible with? We delve into the topic of filaments versus pellets to answer these questions and more.

Read the article here.