Now in its 12th year, Rapid.Tech has become a leading international muster point for the additive manufacturing industry and its relevant communities.

3D printer
This year, the Erfurt-based two-day conference (June 10th-11th 2015) promises to blow the dust off 3D printing and to showcase the generative, disruptive technology at its most cutting-edge, giving even early adopters a fresh perspective on additive manufacturing.
There are very few areas of technology that are developing as dynamically and successfully as additive manufacturing and the vast majority of markets can take advantage of these processes to lower costs, increase productivity and reduce time-to-market.
Wieland Kniffka, CEO of Rapid.Tech organiser Messe Erfurt, said: "The latest developments in additive manufacturing are all taken into account with our optimised conference structure for 2015. For example, we will have a purely scientific section for the first time."
The outing will expand on the existing programme with presentations at its heart in addition to the debut of a forum that focuses on the future of the industry, Vision 3D. This will not only cover future concepts and comprehensive debates, but will also present promising applications and visionary approaches for additive manufacturing by way of practical examples.
Another new feature will be the Tools expert forum. This will focus on the application of additive manufacturing processes in manufacturing cutting dies and embossing tools, injection moulding tools and die casting moulds. The possibilities and limitations of the various processes used in manufacturing moulds and tool elements will also be discussed.
The established Medical Technology and Aerospace expert forums provide an opportunity for intensive, expert discussion of these leading additive manufacturing fields. The New Technologies user conference - which, for the past eleven years has been an important forum for people to discuss where development for additive manufacturing is heading - will once again feature on the agenda.
The Design Engineers Day will make a return. The event gives design engineers the opportunity to learn about the basics of these technologies and the constructive freedoms associated with them, and gain detailed knowledge about the process-specific features and limitations.
In addition, Rapid.Tech 2015 will host the Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance forum. It will cover the practical, scientific aspect of the field and inform visitors of innovations that are still at the development stage.
In parallel to Rapid.Tech, Messe Erfurt will also host the 3rd FabCon 3.D visitor trade fair for semi-professional users and prosumers.