SPE announces expo program and exhibitors for RAPID 2013.
Press Release Summary:
The 2013 RAPID Conference and Exposition, June 10-13, will feature nearly 100 exhibitors who will demonstrate growing applications of additive manufacturing. In addition to keynote presentations and awards presentation, show will include Contemporary Art Gallery and the Medical Manufacturing Innovations Center. Attendees are invited to explore latest additive technologies, including additive/rapid manufacturing; manufacturing processes and support; 3D imaging; materials; and mold/mold making.
Original Press Release:
Exposition Program and Exhibitors for RAPID 2013 Announced by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
DEARBORN, Mich. – The 2013 RAPID Conference and Exposition will feature nearly 100 exhibitors who will demonstrate the growing applications of additive manufacturing across a wide-range of industries, according to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
“RAPID is the place to be whether you’re investigating new technologies for your business or if you’re currently using the technology,” said SME Business Development Manager Gary Mikola about RAPID, which will be held June 10-13, 2013, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Penn. “It continues to be an exciting venue with exceptionally informational and hands-on learning. This year offers an expanded conference and many new exhibitors.”
Additive manufacturing (AM), often referred to as 3D printing, uses data obtained through 3D imaging as a roadmap to make products. Located just 40 minutes from the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII), RAPID will include cutting-edge AM and 3D imaging technologies and the institute’s ongoing effort to help revitalize the American manufacturing sector. SME is heavily involved in technology transition and dissemination, and the education and training of practitioners through the institute. The following exposition events are open to RAPID registered attendees.
Exposition Floor. Attendees are invited to explore the latest additive technologies, including additive/rapid manufacturing; manufacturing processes and support; 3D imaging (scanning); materials; mold and mold making; and quality assurance. The Medical Manufacturing Innovations Center features informational presentations from professionals from leading medical manufacturing companies. NAMII will also exhibit and share information about how it plans to transition additive manufacturing technology to the mainstream U.S. manufacturing sector. The floor is open on Tuesday, June 11, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, June 12, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Keynote Presentations. Keynotes take place each day of the event, including The Future of Additive Manufacturing and Introduction to NAMII, presented by Brett Lambert, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy, U.S. Department of Defense; Michael F. Molnar, chief manufacturing officer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),; and Edward Morris, director, NAMII, on Tuesday, June 11. The session will be followed by the NAMII Overview Roadmap, presented by Rob Gorham, deputy director of technology for NAMII. Terry Wohlers delivers the State of the Industry report on Wednesday.
Awards Presentation. SME and the Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing (RTAM) Community will present two awards: the RAPID 2013 Exhibitor Innovation Award and RAPID 2013 Best in Show Award. The presentation takes place on Wednesday, June 12, in the RAPID Theater. The Dick Aubin Distinguished Paper Award and the Design for Direct Digital Manufacturing Award will also be presented.
Contemporary Art Gallery. Since 2010, RAPID has invited artists familiar with design software and additive manufacturing to use these technologies to transform their drawings into 3D works of art. The gallery is conveniently located at the center of the exposition floor. A special feature this year will be the addition of several 3D-printed pieces on loan from Materialise’s Andy Warhol Challenge.
Networking Events. A reception on the show floor takes place on Tuesday, June 11.
The RAPID Conference has been the industry-leading forum for more than 20 years. The conference features dozens of presentations and discussions of the latest developments, trends and techniques specific to additive manufacturing, rapid technologies, 3D printing and 3D imaging across a variety of industries. Visit the RAPID website at rapid.sme.org to register.
SME RAPID News. To receive the latest up-to-the-minute SME news, subscribe to the RSS feed. Follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter, Circle Rapid Conference & Exposition on Google+ and Like RAPID Conference & Exposition on Facebook to receive conference updates.
About RAPID.
RAPID Conference and Exposition is North America's definitive event featuring 3D printing and 3D imaging technologies. For more than 20 years, RAPID has been recognized internationally among industry experts and analysts for its unrivaled display of software, systems, materials and machinery. RAPID attracts buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct digital technologies to a world-class additive manufacturing event for discovery, innovation and networking. RAPID is produced by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers with leadership and guidance from its Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing (RTAM) Community. For more information, please visit http://rapid.sme.org.
About SME.
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.
