TCT will head to China this week as the annual TCT Asia event returns to Shanghai on 8-10th March. Now in its third year, the show has outgrown the venue used for the 2015 and 2016 editions moving to the popular and gigantic Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) in the Pudong region of China’s largest city.
The 2017 event will be the biggest edition of the show, organised by VNU Rapid News Co. Ltd., with a floor space that has increased by approximately 40 percent. Here's just a taste of what you can expect to see on the show floor. REGISTER here for FREE.
1) 3D Systems (Stand N5-G30)
3D Systems will be showcasing the newest members of the ProJet family, the ProJet MJP 2500 and 2500 Plus. First launched in 2016, the machines, which will be there alongside a range of 3DS projects, are said to offer better fidelity and accuracy than printers 10 times their price capable of printing in 3DS' new advanced plastic and elastomeric materials.
2) Stratasys (Stand N5-G18)
TCT Asia 2017 will be one of the first opportunities to see the new FDM-based F123 series of printers in the flesh. The new design-to-print GrabCAD enabled line will be on display on the Stratasys booth alongside machinery lines in the MakerBot, Fortus and Connex ranges.
Stratasys New F123 Series
3) TSC Laser Technology Development (Stand N5-D10)
TSC will be debuting its TSC-X350C, independently researched and developed metal 3D printer at TCT Asia. Thanks to its 500W fibre laser TSC say that the machine is able to process a wider range of materials more efficiently. Also interesting to note is the machine's gas circulation system that doubles up as a self-cleaning function, prolonging the service life of filtration products. The system's software has what TSC are claiming is the first cellular scanning strategy, meaning the temperature is more evenly distributed throughout the build chamber decreasing the rate of deformation and cracks in builds.
4) Hunan Farsoon High-tech (Stand N5-G20)
Laser sintering pioneer Xu Xiaoshu's company, Farsoon will be showcasing its latest laser sintering device, the 403P. The machine can process high-performance materials with a melting point up to 225℃, such as PA6. Its max build size can reach up to 400×400×600 mm, and its max scanning speed can reach up to 15.2 m/s. Equipped with an open-source platform and advanced dynamic temperature-controlling system, Farsoon 403P can print parts with high precision and high efficiency. Farsoon will also have some of its metal 3D printing technology at TCT Asia including the recently launched FS 271M machine.
5) Shining 3D (Stand N5-H36 and N5-G36)
Better known for its popular Einstart desktop 3D printers, Shining 3D will be appealing to the more professional visitor base of TCT Asia by showcasing its powder-based metal 3D printer, the EP-M100T and large stereolithography machine the iSLA-350. The metal printer is the company's second foray into metal printing but as opposed to the large EP-M250 SLM 3D Printer the M100T is designed for dental and jewellery industries and is capable of printing in Titanium alloy, cobalt chromium alloy, gold, silver and other precious metals. Shining will also be demonstrating its new EinScan-Pro a multi-functional handheld scanner along with a host of other 3D technologies. Making Shining, one company certainly worth watching at TCT Asia.
6) ZRapid Technologies (Stand N5-K16)
We first saw ZRapid at last year's TCT Asia and in the year that has passed the Chinese company has moved very fast with its technology. At TCT Asia 2017 the company will showcase, much like Shining, a new metal 3D printer and stereolithography machine. The metal printer, the SLM150, joins the family of powder-bed fusion printers that are offered at an affordable price-point, the 150 is the smallest in the range and will likely be aimed at dental labs and jewellers alike.
7) Raycham Laser Technology (Stand N5-F40)
Although a name not too familiar to these shores and these pages, Raycham is one of China's largest advanced manufacturing companies and specialises in laser processing technology. Such is its experience in laser processing the launch of its metal 3D printer is much anticipated and TCT Asia 2017 will offer one of the first opportunities to see the technology. The LDM8060 five-axis powder metal 3D printer is developed on the basis of laser cladding technology, using a high-power laser to melt metal powder. A five-axis CNC numerical control system ensures moulding dimension and precision of form and position of metal parts.
8) Xi'an Bright Laser Technology (Stand N5-F16)
打印
Bright Laser Technology (BLT) were one of the surprise packages at the inaugural TCT Asia in 2015, relatively unheard of at the time their powder-bed fusion machinery caused quite the stir. In 2016 its BLT-S300 won a Red Dot Award and at TCT Asia 2017 the company will be launching the next-gen of this machine, the BLT-S310. The previous generation of this metal 3D printer has already proved popular with Chinese defense and nuclear applications, the new machine is sure to be one to watch.
9) Tekna Plasma Systems (Stand N5-A2)
With such a proliferation of metal 3D printing technology at this year's event, you're going to need somebody to supply the raw materials and there are plenty of companies at TCT Asia ready to meet your powder needs. One of them, Tekna specialises in the production of metal powders and its Ti 64 Titanium Alloy material has a high-level of sphericity, low-oxygen content, high density and are compatible with the most demanding industrial applications. Tekna is also able to supply a range of high-melt-point metal powders like Tungsten and can completely tailor a solution to your needs.
10) Guangdong Institute of Materials and Processing (Stand N5-K66)
Another company specialising in metal powder for additive manufacturing at TCT Asia is a spin off from the Guangdong Academy of Sciences (GDAS). The materials from GDAS are high-performance and suitable for all metal AM techniques from selective laser melting to direct metal deposition.
