RAPID + TCT 2022 has officially kicked off—this time returning to its roots at Huntington Place in Detroit! We’re proud to present the next level of additive manufacturing (AM) with this three-day industry event bringing together thousands of attendees, 400+ exhibitors, hundreds of educational sessions and groundbreaking new 3D technologies.
The AM community is back together under one roof, and with so much happening, we’re assembling the show’s top takeaways—starting with Day 1.
Opening Event on the Main Stage
Todd Grimm, President, T.A. Grimm & Associates and Wayne Davey, HP’s Global Head of 3D Printing Solutions
Lauded AM industry advisor, Todd Grimm, opened RAPID + TCT 2022 by welcoming a packed audience and giving attendees a sense of what they need to see to maximize their event experience. Each morning, you can expect to hear from Todd on the latest product launches announced here in Detroit.
Grimm then gave the stage to our Welcome Sponsor, HP. Wayne Davey, HP’s Global Head of 3D Printing Solutions, spoke briefly about what it takes to scale to production, and welcomed John Dulchinos, President at GKN Additive Manufacturing, to discuss GKN’s partnership with HP.
SME 2022 President, Dianne Chong, The Boeing Co (retired)
After HP & GKN’s presentation, the crowd was introduced SME 2022 President, Dianne Chong. The 90th president and a 25-year member of the organization, Dianne spoke about the changes we’ve seen in AM technology and business models over the decades, before stressing the need to prepare for a diverse, community-driven workforce of the future.
Partnership for a More Diverse Future
Dianne then introduced Nora Touré, founder of the nonprofit Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP), one of the largest AM communities in the world. Nora reaffirmed Dianne’s point about fostering a more diverse AM workforce, before announcing a strategic partnership between SME and Wi3DP.
This collaboration initially includes four initiatives:
- TIPE 2023 Conference.Focused on Technology, Industry, People and Economics, TIPE will now be co-produced and powered by both Wi3DP and SME, supporting a shared goal of offering AM engagement and education year-round, including through digital platforms.
- Wi3DP Showcase.SME and Wi3DP will launch the Wi3DP Showcase at RAPID + TCT 2023 in Chicago. This important showcase will extend the value of TIPE with an in-person experience.
- NextGen Mentorship Pilot. SME and Wi3DP will partner on a NextGen Mentorship pilot program, expanding on Wi3DP’s existing program, that recognizes the importance of workforce development, with a shared commitment to the next generation.
- Diversity for Additive Manufacturing 2023 Annual Report. Wi3DP and SME will co-author this annual measure of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Additive Industry. The report will look at how organizations are expanding and developing their workforce, while providing resources to make DEI accessible, understandable, and actionable.
The Glocal Future of Manufacturing
Barbara Humpton, President and CEO, Siemens USA
After Nora’s partnership announcement, Barbara Humpton, President and CEO, Siemens USA and RAPID + TCT 2022 Keynote took the stage.
Humpton’s presentation touched on the role of AM in driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Siemens’ work in digital twin technology enabling the success of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover.
Humpton also talked about “glocalization.” While global innovation is essential, there is a growing need to establish local production capabilities—accelerated by the response to COVID-19. AM is enabling localization of production, increasing resiliency and inspiring a new generation of industry leaders.
She also mentioned Siemens’ CATCH (Charlotte Advanced Technology Collaboration Hub) facility—a working industrial AM space centered on collaboration amongst Siemens business groups. CATCH explores how manufacturers can adapt their products for AM production, incubate and develop new technology, solve complex industry problems and more.
2022 Additive Manufacturing Community Awards
Also part of RAPID + TCT 2022’s opening day was a ceremony honoring the winners of our 2022 Additive Manufacturing Community Awards—which celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, teams and companies creating significant impact in commercializing AM.
This year’s winners include:
AM Industry Achievement Award
Dr. Slade Gardner, President & Founder of Big Metal Additive
Established in 2008, the Industry Achievement Award was developed by SME’s AM Community to recognize an individual, team or company for outstanding accomplishments that have had significant impact within AM, or in any industry through the application of AM technologies.
Dr. Gardner is recognized for his contributions over a distinguished career for advancing industrial metal additive manufacturing, and for his recent work with large-scale metal-hybrid AM. Throughout his career he has invented, developed and transitioned materials, equipment and processes for a multitude of large AM capabilities.
Aubin AM Case Study Award
The Aubin AM Case Study Award looks to recognize innovations in application of AM technologies. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding use cases of AM adoption and implementation and to provide inspiration to others in their journey of AM application.
The 2022 award recipients are VELO3D and IMI Critical Engineering, for their topic “Laying the Groundwork for Industrial 3D-Printed Parts in Oil & Gas Applications.”
Digital Manufacturing Challenge
The Digital Manufacturing Challenge challenges student designers and engineers to go beyond the classroom or laboratory and showcase their technical and commercial talents by demonstrating new and creative ways additive manufacturing can add value.
Digital Manufacturing Challenge Award winners.
Winning for their topic, “Hybrid Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing of Topology Optimized Aviation Components,” the recipients from Virginia Tech are:
- Daniel Chirvasuta
- Nathanael High
- Matthew Martin
- Benjamin Nguyen
- Omkar Shinde
- Nicolas Tomanelli
Faculty advisors included Christopher Williams, PhD, and PhD student Sam Pratt, with assistance from industry advisor Dan Braley, CAM-T, Associate Technical Fellow & Additive Manufacturing Technical Focal of Boeing Global Services.
RAPID + TCT 2022 AM Industry Celebration
To close out the first day of RAPID + TCT 2022, SME—in collaboration with TCT, America Makes, AMUG and Women in 3D Printing—hosted an AM Industry Celebration assembling the AM Community’s largest gathering of professionals, enthusiasts and trailblazers as we look to the bright and promising future of our industry.
The celebration kicked off with a drum line, and attendees enjoyed the opportunity to network over drinks and dinner while various performers and a live band entertained the night away.
Looking Ahead
With more than four football fields showcasing 400+ exhibitors and hundreds of new 3D printers, products, software, materials, 3D scanners and more, there’s so much more to experience. We’re looking forward to continuing our coverage of RAPID + TCT 2022, with a Day 2 focus on exhibitor technologies and the next-generation AM workforce.