The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) returns to Chicago later this month for its 2019 conference, bringing together owners and operators of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) technologies to share AM expertise, best practices, challenges, and application developments. In addition to new features such as Training Labs and panel sessions, the two-night AMUGexpo also ensures plenty of new developments from some of the industry’s leading vendors and service providers and promises to, quite literally, lift the lid on 3D printing technologies.
As Carl Dekker, AMUG Vice President and President of US service bureau, Met-L-Flo, explained: "You will often see machines with the covers removed or an attendee with his/her head inside the machine. At the AMUGexpo you see what is new and walk away with a real understanding of what it can (and can't) do as well as why."
Here are just a few of the highlights from this year's expo and conference tracks.
3Degrees
3Degrees is set to debut TRACE, a new software tool specifically designed to enable quality management and documentation of key production technical data for AM. Addressing the time it takes for an AM engineer to compile all the relevant technical data from various material and part testing and equipment platforms, TRACE is designed to simplify and streamline this process via a smart, intuitive interface that ensures traceability through all aspects of the AM workflow. The company will debut the software and a number of user case studies during the event.
3D Systems
3D Systems is inviting delegates to join its application engineers in the Training Lab as they share their expertise on designing and printing eggshell moulds, effective in-process quality analysis for metal 3D printing and demonstrate how to optimise AM for serial production of large parts. Attendees can also hear 3D Systems' President and CEO, Vyomesh Joshi, in conversation with the company’s co-founder Chuck Hull about how AM is transforming manufacturing. In addition, the company will host a Q&A with Karl Meyer, founder of 3D Systems' Gentle Giant, as he looks back on his pioneering work to integrate 3D printing into the entertainment industry.
3YOURMIND
Since December, 3YOURMIND has been running an early access program for its Agile Machine Execution System with EOS and other AM users across the US and Europe. At AMUG, the company’s Training Lab session will be led by Product Owner Daniel Burckhardt who will present "lessons learned" about the biggest congestion points on the production floor and how they could be relieved using software and agile processes. These results have been integrated into Agile MES. 3YOURMIND says the session will be a chance to dig into the dirt of hurdles that need to be overcome and what processes have already moved into semi- or full-automation.
Additive Manufacturing Technologies (AMT)
For the first time, AMUG is holding a series of round table sessions on post-processing, marking a major step for the industry in recognising the importance of often-forgotten, post-printing processes. The session will feature a select number of companies including AMT, Post Process Technologies and Dyemansion. AMT will be discussing its PostPro3D technology which has evolved from a machine that enabled aesthetics to an innovative surface engineering performance-enhancing technology for 3D printed parts. AMT says: “It enables transition to production for many additive manufacturing programs by unlocking aesthetics, performance, and affordability.”
AlphaSTAR
Collaborating on a Missile Defense Agency Phase II contract, AlphaSTAR and Raytheon set out to predict the Additive Manufacturing Process and Service Loading of an as-built 3D printed part. Using an ICMSE framework, and feeding through a building block Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VVA), the teams intended to hash out many part issues before printing, thus saving time, lowering risk and reducing scrap rate. The programme has been co-led by Cody Godines, Structures Group Lead at AlphaSTAR and Senior Mechanical Engineers, Isis Roche-Rios and Alicia Leslie of Raytheon, and its findings will be presented at AMUG.
BigRep
BigRep's newest machine, the PRO, is making its North American debut at AMUG 2019 during the new AMUG Training Labs. Powered by BigRep's proprietary MXT and state-of-the-art Bosch Rexroth CNC control systems and drives, the PRO promises speed, precision and quality, coupled with full connectivity to integrate AM with Industry 4.0. This one-metered-cubed industrial printer is capable of achieving printing speeds up to 600 mm/s, when using with its finest 0.6 mm nozzle, which BigRep claims to be five times faster than any other plastic extrusion printer on the market.
EOS
Officially announced back in February, the Integra P 400, the new industrial polymer 3D printer from EOS North America, will make its debut at AMUG 2019. With an array of new user-friendly features that offer increased productivity, software controls, material compatibility, and simple serviceability, EOS says the Integra P 400 is its most flexible 3D printer to date. The debut follows EOS’ acquisition of Vulcan Labs, a powder bed fusion AM company spun out of Stratasys, earlier this year. Around a dozen organisations are said to have already ordered the machine.
Formlabs
This year Formlabs' sessions and Training Labs will share insights into the evolution and current state of SLA 3D printing. Speakers will include Formlabs' CEO and co-founder Max Lobovsky, Materials Lead Sharon Soong, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Product Development Industry Manager Andrew Edman and Senior Pro Services Expert Nick King. These Formlabs experts will share what it takes to meaningfully scale the use of 3D printing across organisations of any size. In addition, the tracks will provide updates on the latest Formlabs hardware, materials, and software products.
Plural Additive Manufacturing
Given the rapid growth of the open materials and open industrial printer market, how do you make sure these challenging materials will deliver for your application? Plural Additive Manufacturing and Arkema will be speaking about PEEK-PEKK-Ultem differences in semi-crystalline and crystalline forms at AMUG. The two will discuss specific strengths and dig into the print environments while noting the trade-offs with materials and printers. The companies will consider several issues including different vendors use of different measurements, moisture susceptibility of high-performance materials, and suggest a framework for comparing high strength, high temperature materials.
Renishaw
Metal AM company, Renishaw will demonstrate the capabilities of multi-laser AM with components from the aerospace, automotive, medical and marine industries, as well as consumer technology. On March 31st, Renishaw is offering a tour of its Additive Manufacturing Solutions Centre located at its US headquarters building in West Dundee, Illinois, where visitors can explore its industrial metrology and AM technologies. Renishaw will also deliver two presentations and a training laboratory during AMUG Conference covering process parameters and scan paths, the importance of a holistic understanding of AM system design, and how companies can successfully adopt AM technology.
XJet
XJet is set to unveil a new application made possible with its NanoParticle Jetting technology for the very first time at AMUG 2019. The event will also see the debut of XJet's soluble support material for metal in the U.S, which allows fine details and complex parts such as internal cavities, lattice structures, and microstructures to be produced without the risk of being damaged by the support removal process. XJet will also give a presentation on 'Powder-Free Ceramic & Metal AM' and will join a roundtable discussion on 'Ceramic 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing for Medical Applications'.
AMUG 2019 will take place on March 31 - April 4 at the Hilton Chicago. TCT will be there bringing you the latest news and highlights from the conference and expo floor. To attend, register here.