Additive manufacturing innovations to see at TCT Asia 2018

The fourth TCT Asia event is just under a week away, and once more will attract a host of leading players in the additive manufacturing industry and thousands of visitors. TCT Asia is organised by VNU Rapid News Co. Ltd., and is held in Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) in the Pudong region of China’s largest city, between February 28 - March 3, 2018. 

EOS – Booth N1-F32 

EOS will be exhibiting its M400-4 metal DMLS additive manufacturing system, which boasts a build volume of 400 x 400 x 400 mm and four precise 400-watt fibre lasers. Users can benefit from higher productivity thanks to the four lasers, and EOS says the beam and power stability works to ensure parts are manufactured with the highest quality. Additionally, the M400-4 also features the patented EOS ClearFlow Technology which helps to achieve better build conditions with consistent process gas management. 

Oerlikon Metco – Booth N1-J16

The surface solutions division of Oerlikon will showcase its Co-Cr alloyed powder MetcoAdd F78A, which can be used in Selective Laser Melting and Powder Bed Fusion platforms. Matching the standards of ASTM F75, ISO 5832-4, and UNS R1538, the strict carbon content of the powder enables its use in aerospace, dental and medical applications.

Laseradd Technology (Guangzhou) – Booth N1-D66

The Laseradd (SLM) DiMetal-100 is the latest upgrade of Laseradd’s third generation machine. It has a max build volume of 100 x 100 x 100 mm, boasts a 500W laser and can achieve layer thickness as low as 0.02mm. Moreover, the machine is compatible with different specifications of powder, manufacturing environment, low oxygen content, and is equipped with a highly efficient recycle system.

Carl Zeiss AG – Booth N1-E58

Another German hardware manufacturer making the journey over to China, Zeiss will be exhibiting its COMET L3D 3D scanner. The device doesn’t require a lengthy preparation before use, and can capture data quickly and accurately, as well as generate colour map inspection reports. It is also a flexible scanning system, able to capture objects of varying sizes from as close as 10 mm and as far away as 10 metres. 

3D Systems - Booth N1-G40

At the back end of 2017, 3D Systems announced its move back into the desktop 3D printing market, and at TCT Asia 2018 will showcase its FabPro 1000 machine. The entry-level production printer has been brought to market for designers, engineers, jewellers and fabricators. 3D Systems says the SLA platform is perfect for low volume prototyping and direct 3D production.

Han’s Laser Technology Industrial Group – Booth N1-F58

At Booth N1-F58, Han’s Laser will present its Ray-E DLP800D platform, designed for small dental labs and jewellers.

The machine is best suited to printing crowns, dental waxes, correction models, and surgical guides, as well as small precision components with layers up to 30 microns.

Polymaker – Booth N1-G60

A Shanghai-based company, TCT Asia is Polymaker’s home show. 2018 will be its third year attending the event, and the debut of its PolyMide CoPA nylon filament. A high-performance material, PolyMide CoPA also features Warp-Free technology which improves the printability. Polymaker will also be displaying advancements made to its Polymaker Industrial portfolio, and sharing insight into the material science world of 3D printing.

Materialise N1-F50

One of the leading players in 3D printing software, Materialise will be holding live demonstrations of its 3-matic software tool which enables users to optimise designs. Materialise will show visitors how the software can group surfaces that require the same type of texture in sets and texture them with just once click, and export mass texture features with STL+, meaning quick and easy data preparation.

Beijing E-Plus 3D Tech – Booth N1-F16

Beijing E-Plus 3D is another native company exhibiting at the fourth TCT Asia, and will present its EP-M250 selective laser melting machine. The company behind the machine says it can prototype complex objects with nearly 100% density, and has been harnessed by players in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.

H.C. Starck – Booth N1-K76

H.C. Starck will be showcasing additively manufactured parts made with its cobalt, nickel and iron-based AMPERPRINT metal powders. The powders are fully dense and are said to have excellent flowability and reproducibility. A company committed to producing tailored and high-quality materials in flexibly scalable quantities, H.C. Starck’s powders meet the demanding requirements of a host of industries, like the aerospace and medical markets.

TCT Asia runs from February 28th until March 3rd, 2018. The TCT Asia exhibition opens on March 1st, while the TCT Asia Summit spans all four days, starting at the Kerry Hotel on February 28th and continuing at the Shanghai New International Expo for the rest of the event. 

Last week, TCT Group announced another addition to its growing events portfolio: TCT Japan, a collaboration between JTB Communication Design & Rapid News Publications. The first TCT Japan event will be held between January 30 - February 1st, 2019.