With its combination of additive manufacturing technologies and conventional production processes, formnext powered by TCT is an important innovation driver for product development and manufacturing. The exhibitors’ innovations and latest developments are testimony to the tremendous dynamic that has evolved from this important combination of technologies for the entire industry. formnext, which runs from November 17 to 20, 2015 in Frankfurt am Main, will therefore highlight the huge potential for current and future developments for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors alike.
With its 506-square-meter booth Stratasys is demonstrating its strong commitment to formnext: “Our presence here sees us occupying the largest stand we’ve ever had at a European exhibition,” says Andy Middleton, President EMEA at Stratasys. One reason for this is that formnext addresses the latest developments in the field of additive manufacturing in the right way: “Industrial application has developed into a focal point of our business activities,” Middleton continued. "It is no longer just about new technological developments, but also about how additive technologies can be integrated into the production processes of, for example, automotive engineering and aviation, and what kind of potential results from that. “formnext is an excellent platform for illustrating this.” In addition to prototyping, Stratasys will also focus on the topic of production at the 2015 formnext exhibition.
Hall 3 at the Frankfurt Fairground will host the inaugural Formnext powered by TCT
Hall 3 at the Frankfurt Fairground will host the inaugural Formnext powered by TCT
Arburg, who will be presenting their freeformer system at formnext, which they launched onto the global market in 2015, also see considerable potential in the interplay between conventional procedures and 3D printing. “We’re noticing a clear trend toward small batches with many variations and small quantities right down to lot size one. In this regard, we see huge potential in the combination of injection moulding and industrial additive manufacturing,” says Heinz Gaub, Managing Director Technology & Engineering at Arburg. “It enables plastic components to be mass-produced efficiently and cost-effectively and then customised for individual customers in small lot sizes in a further additive manufacturing step. This way, individual customer requirements can be integrated directly into a value chain that is personalised through to the end.”
EOS technology is now used not only in prototype construction, but also increasingly serves a larger number of manufacturing applications. “In this environment, it can be a matter of additive manufacturing being used where conventional procedures reach their limits in terms of feasibility. Depending on the application, however, integrating additive manufacturing processes into existing conventional production environments or even a combination of both approaches are becoming increasingly important,” says Claudia Jordan of Corporate Communications at EOS. For EOS, an important step in this development is its cooperation with GF Machining Solutions in the area of tool-making. Besides the presentation of a new system and monitoring solutions for quality assurance in the construction process, this technological development will also be an important feature of EOS’s presence at formnext 2015.
