SME is hosting its annual Rapid Conference and Exposition in Detroit today. The show will be the largest of its 24 years in existence, and the industry association can thank the 3D Printing world for the expansion.
Once coined RAPID for rapid prototyping techniques, the show has transformed over the years to become the 'it' show for all things Additive Manufacturing (AM). This year's conference will include technical and business-case topics, workshops, and new this year will be a 3D Printing Playground in the exhibit hall.
Technical topics include materials for AM, product design and machine design considerations, AM R&D, automated post-finishing of parts, several applications like medical and transportation, and of course tutorials and case studies on 3D scanning and imaging.
Exhibitors this year include all the suspected players like 3D Systems, AFINIA, DASI Solutions, Creaform, Ex One Company, EOS, FineLine Prototyping, MakerBot, Materialise, Mcor, netfabb, and Stratasys.
There will be a RAPID Innovation Award given during the second day for exhibitors. The award will go to the most innovative new products or services exhibited at RAPID that are judged to have the greatest potential impact on the industry. There will also be a Best in Show Award given to the exhibitor who becomes the most popular amongst the crowd. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage from our editors!
Missed last year’s show? Check out MACHINE DESIGN’s roundup of technologies from RAPID 2013.