RAPID Recap

Rapid 2012 has come and gone. If you missed Rapid Ready’s coverage, check out Day One, Day Two and Day Three. The conference presented a unique opportunity to meet with so many of the movers and shakers in additive manufacturing (AM), and to see 3D printers, materials and related products (like imaging) in person. Along with industry professionals, I also met several newcomers to AM that traveled to RAPID (one from England) just to learn more about the technology.

“The RAPID Conference and Exposition has a 20-year tradition of embracing new technology and informing attendees about the advances in equipment, materials and applications,” said SME business development manager Gary Mikola. “Our goal this year was to show what’s new and highlight the many ways additive manufacturing can be integrated into the design and manufacturing process.”

RAPID is more than just a meet and greet; it is a gathering of industry professionals at which recognition is given for excellence in the field of AM and awards are handed out in a number of different categories. The conference also shows off what AM is capable of, beyond prototyping, moving objects built by 3D printers into the realm of art.

The “Exhibitor Innovation” award was given to Mcor Technologies. This was the company’s first trip to the U.S. to show off its innovative 3D printing process. The “Best in Show” award was presented to ExOne as the result of popular vote among the attendees.

The RTAM/SME Dick Aubin Distinguished Paper Award was received by Emanuele Magalini for his paper “Biological Evidences of Benefits for Additive Manufactured Porous Titanium Foams.” The Industry Achievement Award presented to Dr. Brent Stucker from the University of Louisville and Pat Picariello from ASTM International for their work with the ASTM F42 Committee on Additive Manufacturing Technologies.

RAPID 2013 will be held in Dearborn, Michigan, May 6-10.

Below you’ll find a short video covering the RAPID 2012 contemporary art show:

Source: SME