A Word from the President
Welcome to the first AMUG Newsletter of 2012. We are just 95 days from the start of the conference. We are getting ready for the big event, are you?
The 2012 AMUG agenda is taking shape with tracks in consumer products, metals and aerospace. Hands-on certificate training sessions will also be a highlight of the agenda.
Here’s a sample of the companies and individuals who have shown interest in presenting: Mark Barfoot and Joe Holland, Christie Digital (Kitchener, Ontario); Don Erich, Clemson University (Clemson, S.C.); David Cawley, Arts Center College of Design (Pasadena, Calif.).; Mike Vasque and Neil Hopkinson, Loughborough University (Loughborough, UK); Dr. Simon Bubb –and his work with DMLS and SLM (Berkshire, UK); Jason Lopes –and his work on the blockbuster hit Real Steel –– Legacy Effects (San Fernando, Calif.).
We will also have an European update from our European liaisons, Graham Tromans and Stefan Ritt, and a host of workshops, moderated by the folks at RapidTech, featuring composites in additive manufacturing, part finishing and hydro printing. A working agenda will soon be added to our website (www.am-ug.com), so check back often.
There are still spots available for speakers, so please do not hesitate to contact me (president@am-ug.com) with your presentation topic. If you have great parts to show off, consider an entry in the Technical Competition (for additional information please read Tim Gornet’s newsletter article).
For our participants, note that we will be using the Harvester System (from CadmiumCD L.L.C.) for collecting all presentations, speakers’ information and Technical Competition entries. This will assure that the 2012 AMUG proceedings will be distributed in a timely manner following the conference.
In closing, I encourage all attendees to register ASAP so that we can plan accordingly for the best users group conference of all time. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns or things you would like to see at the 2012 conference.
Until next time, I remain at your service.
Best Regards,
Gary Rabinovitz
AMUG President
Our Mission: AMUG educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies.
VP Report
Exhibitor Expo is Filling Up Fast
Have a thirst for knowledge, hunger for delicious appetizers and a penchant for adult beverages?
Don’t miss the Exhibitor Expo on Sunday and Monday nights.
Over half of our floor is already committed (thank you, sponsors and vendors). So you will be seeing great products and services that are aligned with your additive manufacturing operations.
At this rate, we will be turning away companies that are interested in displaying their wares. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet users representing all additive manufacturing technologies. Contact us at vicepresident@am-ug.com to get the details and to sign up.
Sincerely,
Scott Schermer &
Mark Abshire
2012 Sponsors
Past President’s Report
Technical Competitions
Think your AM parts push the limits on design?
If so, show off a little by entering your handiwork in the AMUG Technical Competition. A much-anticipated staple of the AMUG Conference, the Technical Competition recognizes
individuals/companies that push the envelope for what is possible with additive manufacturing.
The competition has two categories: advanced concepts (bringing amazing designs to life through AM) and advanced finishing (exceptional aesthetic qualities of AM parts). This competition is open to all; you can use any AM technology or combination of technologies. A panel of judges — each having earned the esteemed Dinosaur Award — selects winners and runners-up.
Get credit for the outstanding job you do! Go to https://www.amug.com/technical-competition.htm for details and entry forms.
Tim Gornet
Past President
Sponsor News – Objet
It’s a 3D World: Blog Shares Interesting Applications
Visit the blog for insight into 3D printing through videos like these:
Inside Microsoft’s 3D Printing Model Shop
Microsoft’s user experience designer, Karsten Aagaard, shows Joshua Topolsky of The Verge around Microsoft’s very cool product prototyping lab.
Can You Read the Tiny Writing on These 3D Printed Steering Wheels?
Steering wheels feature rubber-like overmolded hand grips and some really tiny 3D printed writing, which is readable under a 3D-printed magnifying glass.
The Gömböc – World’s First Self-Righting Object is Created using 3D Printing
Gömböc has no internal counterweight to help it flip over. Instead, it’s precisely-determined geometric shape is solely responsible for it being able to self-right.
For more, visit Objet’s blog.
Sponsor News – Stratasys
Ecoinvent Cuts Part-Production Costs 62%
Ecoinvent device uses production 3D printed parts.
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Ecoinvent develops and produces a wide variety of industrial training equipment, ranging from hydraulic pumps to robotic devices for mine clearance, which it supplies to 300 industrial vocational schools and institutions throughout Russia. To reduce costs and speed production, Ecoinvent purchased a Fortus 3D Production System and began creating machine parts in-house. The company is now saving more than $100 on each part it produces and has more freedom to design and create new machines, thanks to the flexibility of Stratasys FDM Technology.
FDM production part. |
Installed, operating FDM production part.
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European Liaison’s Report
AMUG Goes to India
In December 2011, our European Liaison Stefan Ritt made a business trip through India. Here’s his account.
Stefan Ritt European Liaison
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According to the CIA’s World Factbook,
India is the fifth largest of the world’s business economies with a GDP of $4 trillion, and as we all know, it has about one-third of the global population.
Automobile and motorbike are among the
leading industries of the country, which have incorporated additive manufacturing technologies into their R&D processes for over 15 years. In that time, SLA, SLS and FDM machines have become the most commonly used equipment, and with the Rapid Prototyping Association of India as part of GARPA, the country is well organized in this field.
However, a user forum has yet to be established. So, I took the opportunity to combine AMUG promotion with my business visits, spreading the news about AMUG as a possible venue for the numerous Indian users.
Hero (formerly Hero Honda) is the biggest Indian motorbike manufacturer and one example of AMUG’s Indian prospects. This company has an average output of 10,000 units per day!
Bajaj is the second largest (6,000 units per day), and it has announced an expansion into automobile production. Tata Motors had done the same when it added the low-cost Tata Nano, which scared European automakers a bit because of its extremely low price.
While there is a healthy, growing automotive industry, with all due respect, I must say that driving in India is quite the adventure. The faint-hearted Westerner should not drive through Pune by night. Let´s say it´s a bit like downtown Manhattan at rush hour but with twice the number of cars. Yet, surprisingly, there are few accidents, mostly due to the patience and respect of the drivers.
AMUG´s activities were received with a lot of interest. I expect to see some of these far-away visitors at our April conference.
My business concluded with the fine hospitality of my Indian colleagues who definitely knew what a German guest wants…beer. Sampling the local brews, I discovered that India makes some very good beer!
Stefan Ritt
SLM Solutions GmbH
The Sorovetz Report
Holy moly, we are only 95 days until zero hour, and I am really excited for this historic event. I have no idea where the time went, but nonetheless, I am excited and anxious to get started!
Gary and the executive board are really putting in long hours to make this the most successful, educational and beneficial conference to date. But you have to be there to reap the rewards.
If you are interested in presenting or participating in the Technical Competition, please contact Tim Gornet (pastpresident@am-ug.com) as soon as possible.
If you have not made your hotel reservations, please do so soon either online or by phone (714-540-7000). Do it now to secure your room rate of $115.00 (plus tax) per night.
I’m still seeking input on your interest in excursions for your spouse or guest during conference hours. To make this happen, I need to meet some headcount minimums, so please let me know (eventmanager@am-ug.com) if you’d like to take part.
Golfing and deep-sea fishing will be offered once again. To sign up for the golf outing, please contact Bob Dzugan at rdzugan@buycastings.com. For deep-sea fishing, contact Kevin Ayers at kayers@fbiacademy.edu.
Discounted Disney Park Tickets!!!
AMUG is offering all event guests, friends, and family greatly discounted Disney Park tickets.
Tickets are valid April 20 through May 03, 2012 and can be purchased at http://www.disneyconventionear.com/ZAAD12A. This link will close on April 23, 2012 at 9:00 pm, so be sure to purchase your tickets before then! Magical memories await you at “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
Hope to see everyone in Costa Mesa,
Thomas A. Sorovetz
From the Editor
The AMUG conference is one of the few business activities that I don’t hesitate in bringing my wife, Lori. I encourage you to do the same.
Whenever I travel to interesting destinations, Lori always wants to join me. But jam-packed schedules from breakfast through dinner leaves her to see the sights alone. In the end, I feel a bit guilty for not being able to find some personal time to share with her.
This is not the case with the AMUG Conference.
While the schedule is filled from early morning to late evening, much of the agenda is “spouse friendly.” She joins me for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She enjoys the welcoming reception and Exhibitor Expo. And she eagerly anticipates the much-heralded Awards Banquet — last year it was held on a huge, beautiful yacht. Sure, I am talking shop and networking during it all, but the people at the conference are so open and friendly that she feels welcomed and included.
When time comes to go into the sessions and workshops, she is on her own but not alone. Other spouses tend to band together to hit the beaches, see the sights or go shopping (all within 10 miles of this year’s hotel).
Bring your partner. Blend business with pleasure. You’ll be happy that you did.
Regards,
Todd Grimm