TCT Asia thoughts ahead of the final day

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These words are being typed from a booth staring out across the TCT Asia show floor on the final day. The inaugural exhibit in Shanghai has been an unprecedented success with crowds gathering at the doors and conferences packed to the brim.

One of the highlights thus far was Jonathan Jaglom’s first talk as MakerBot CEO just 12 days after he stepped up to the plate following Jenny Lawton’s step up to the Stratasys board. Jaglom was not a deer caught in the headlights with a hastily cobbled together presentation on his new role but a man at ease with as the head of desktop 3D Printing’s most recognisable brand.

Jaglom discussed how he put plans to the Objet board back in 2008 to create an online community and repository for 3D printed models but was beaten to it by Thingiverse and has, ever since, been a huge fan and regular user. He talked through a time in Hong Kong were he was unable to acquire the requisite decorations to celebrate Hanukkah so he headed to Thingiverse and 3D printed exactly what he needed. Jaglom and MakerBot seem the perfect fit.

Materialise CEO Fried Vancraen was on top form as he followed Jaglom on to stage, disarming the crowd with tales of his own poorly made 1986 AM gifts to his wife and enlightening the hundreds on the packed out conference floor as to the true applications for 3D printing.

Fried mentioned one of the TCT Asia exhibitors as a company adding true value through 3D Printing and those sentiments were echoed by the likes of Graham Tromans later in the day. The company is Winsun, who are using their own range of recycled materials in order to efficiently 3D print architecture and having now witnessed it first hand could very well change the face of construction forever.

Yesterday saw the award for the first ever Inspired Minds competition, the programme was sponsored by Tiertime and partnered with Graham Tromans Associates. The overall winner was a young designer with the moniker Magic Tribal, who designed an unfolding puzzle that looked like a cross between Pokeball and Iron Man. 

Still the show floor is packed, today has already seen a great deal of children looking in amazement at the exhibitions. Can't wait for next year.