• Exhibitors at formnext 2015 show the enormous growth potential offered by the interaction between 3D printing and conventional production
• Stratasys with company’s largest ever European exhibition presence

With its combination of additive manufacturing technologies and conventional production processes, formnext powered by TCT, the international exhibition and congress on tool and form-making as well as additive technologies, is an important innovation driver for product development and manufacturing. The exhibitors’ innovations and latest developments are testimony to the tremendous dynamic that has evolved from this important combination of technologies for the entire industry. formnext, which runs from November 17 to 20, 2015 in Frankfurt am Main, will therefore highlight the huge potential for current and future developments for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors alike.

formnext 2015
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
November 17 to 20, 2015

With its 506-square-meter booth, 3D printing global market leader Stratasys is demonstrating its strong commitment to formnext: “Our presence here sees us occupying the largest stand we’ve ever had at a European exhibition,” says Andy Middleton, President EMEA at Stratasys. One reason for this is that formnext addresses the latest developments in the field of additive manufacturing in the right way: “Industrial application has developed into a focal point of our business activities,” Middleton continues. It is no longer just about new technological developments, but also about how additive technologies can be integrated into the production processes of, for example, automotive engineering and aviation, and what kind of potential results from that. “formnext is an excellent platform for illustrating this.” In addition to prototyping, Stratasys will also focus on the topic of production at the 2015 formnext exhibition.

Arburg, who will be presenting their freeformer system at formnext, which they launched onto the global market in 2015, also see considerable potential in the interplay between conventional procedures and 3D printing. “We’re noticing a clear trend toward small batches with many variations and small quantities right down to lot size one. In this regard, we see huge potential in the combination of injection molding and industrial additive manufacturing,” says Heinz Gaub, Managing Director Technology & Engineering at Arburg. “It enables plastic components to be mass-produced efficiently and cost-effectively and then customized for individual customers in small lot sizes in a further additive manufacturing step. This way, individual customer requirements can be integrated directly into a value chain that is personalized through to the end.”

EOS technology is now used not only in prototype construction, but also increasingly serves a larger number of manufacturing applications. “In this environment, it can be a matter of additive manufacturing being used where conventional procedures reach their limits in terms of feasibility. Depending on the application, however, integrating additive manufacturing processes into existing conventional production environments or even a combination of both approaches are becoming increasingly important,” says Claudia Jordan of Corporate Communications at EOS. For EOS, an important step in this development is its cooperation with GF Machining Solutions in the area of tool-making. Besides the presentation of a new system and monitoring solutions for quality assurance in the construction process, this technological development will also be an important feature of EOS’s presence at formnext 2015.

Social media and formnext
You can now also find us on various social media networks. Use our social media channels to obtain information about all aspects of formnext or to contact us directly. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Xing

About formnext
Exhibitors of additive technologies, tool and form-making, as well as from other sectors of product development and manufacturing meet up every year at formnext at the international exhibition grounds in Frankfurt am Main. formnext shows how the process chain develops from a product idea through to its production. It brings together additive and conventional procedures and showcases the next generation of product development. The conference, which takes place in tandem with the exhibition, focuses on trends in additive technologies and 3D printing as well as in tool and form-making. The conference’s content is designed by TCT Show + Personalize. Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH has overall organizational responsibility for formnext.

About Mesago
Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, founded in 1982 and located in Stuttgart, specializes in exhibitions and conferences on various topics of technology. The company belongs to the Messe Frankfurt Group. Mesago operates internationally and is not tied to a specific venue. With 120 members of staff, Mesago organizes events for the benefit of more than 2,700 exhibitors and over 100,000 trade visitors, conference delegates and speakers from all over the world. Numerous trade associations, publishing houses, scientific institutes and universities work with Mesago closely as advisers, co-organizers and partners. (mesago.com)

About TCT
With TCT Show + Personalize, TCT Magazine, and TCT + Personalize Asia, TCT has been part of the additive technologies/3D printing industry for over 20 years and maintains close links with all participating parties. TCT is operated by Rapid News Publications Ltd, a division of Rapid News Communication Group, a leading publishing company and event organizer. (rapidnews.com)