Rapid.Tech 2015 organisers have announced the event's first keynotes sessions.
Messe Erfurt had revealed the keynote sessions will feature top speakers and hot topics under the title 'Vision 3D', presenting innovative developments in the fields of software, jewellery design, fashion and lifestyle over the course of the two-day event (June 10th-11th 2015).
By Barbara Neumann, CC BY-SA 3.0
Messe Erfurt
Microsoft Manager Adrian Lannin will give insights into how Windows’ extensive support for 3D printing is affecting additive manufacturing in existing and emerging market segments. Frank Cooper (Birmingham City University School of Jewellery) will focus on the direct metal laser melting (DMLM) of precious metals, and American designer Francis Bitonti will describe the radical change triggered by the “displacing” technology of 3D printing in the fashion and lifestyle industry.
Visitors are guaranteed a concise overview with the Keynote Pass "Vision 3D", which the trade fair management is offering for the first time in 2015. It grants passholders entry to the five keynote presentations and the specialist trade fair on that day. The pass and all other trade fair and conference tickets are available online now: http://www.rapidtech.de/startseite/tagungen/preise-tagung.html.
Erfurt’s Rapid.Tech is one of the world’s most respected events in the field of additive manufacturing. Some 160 exhibitors and 4,000 trade visitors from 20 countries are expected. For the third time FabCon 3.D, Germany’s 3D printing fair for semi-professional users and prosumers, will be held in parallel with the event.
Microsoft, Windows and 3D printing
Software will be the focus of the keynote presentation by Adrian Lannin, Group Programme Manager at Microsoft and Head of the 3D Printing Team in the Operating Systems Group, at this year’s Rapid.Tech. After providing an overview of the 3D printer support already included in Windows 8.1, Adrian Lannin will give insights into the new 3D support functions and extensions in Windows 10. He will also discuss how the extensive support for 3D printing in a major operating system is affecting additive manufacturing in existing markets as well as in related emerging market segments.
New scope for design
This could also result in major changes to the manufacturing models that have existed up to now. Frank Cooper, Lecturer in Jewellery Manufacturing Technology and Technical Manager of the JII at the Birmingham City University School of Jewellery, will report in his keynote on how the jewellery industry is preparing for this transformation. He will first outline the use of current CAD and 3D printing technologies in the jewellery industry today and then illustrate how this industry is actively and comprehensively engaging with the new scope for design and the removal of former manufacturing limitations as a result of the rapidly developing additive manufacturing processes. He will place a special focus on the direct metal laser melting (DMLM) of precious metals. Frank Cooper will present various pieces of jewellery that have been produced with different DMLM processes. He will also address the training and education that will enable the next generation of jewellery designers to take maximum advantage of this new freedom.
Additive manufacturing – a 'displacing' technology?
Customers become co-designers of their own products. The ability to personalise and customise products – including luxury goods – using computers opens up new and innovative business models. Designer Francis Bitonti, proprietor of the Francis Bitonti Studio in New York, will use his keynote to present the tools and computer-aided design process for creating cult fashions and lifestyle products. His focus will, however, not just be on the development of new, unusual shapes, but also on the changes ushered in by the use of additive manufacturing in series production and distribution. 3D printing will be presented as a 'displacing' technology that is radically changing the way fashion and lifestyle brands operate.
