Although there are many 3d printing and additive manufacturing conventions, there is nothing better than Rapid Event. The RAPID + TCT conference, also known as Rapid Event; is a worldwide known 3d printing show / conference in North America. You can find some of the most influential additive manufacturing companies that attend each year ath the three day conference. Industry leaders such as DesktopMetals and TechLabs demonstrate the latest 3d printers and 3d printing technology in the additive manufacturing world. Experts review case studies on how advanced manufacturing is transforming traditional manufacturing and present advanced applications of additive manufacturing.
Rapid Event + TCT website
Advanced Manufacturing & 3D Printing Technology
- Over 400 Additive Manufacturing Companies Exhibiting
- Over 8000 Industry Experts
- Additive Manufacturing Presentations and Workshops
Industrial 3D Printing
BigRep Large ScaleIndustrial 3D Printer
While additive manufacturing becomes more and more common, the average build volume has slowly increased over the years. BigRep was one of the original pineers of large scale 3d printing. The German 3d printer company gave us a thurough review of their massive machine. Take a look at Bigrep’s huge printer at Rapid Event 2018 aka Rapid + TCT. This large format printer has a 1m x 1m x 1m build area and prints all the basic fdm materials and filament.
BigRep’s extrusion process is five times faster than normal FFF printers. Depending on part geometry and layer height the extruder can push up to 200 cubic centimeters per hour (cm3/h) at high levels of accuracy and speeds.
As material pushes through the BigRep’s extruder and hotend the molten plastic is stored in an internal reservoir. This pre-extrusion technique enables the big 3d printer to achieve high speeds and precision by working with material that is stored at its ideal temperature and viscosity.
BigRep Studio Website here
Using a reservoir of molten filament allows MXT extruder to print with more control in the filament melting and deposition process. While most FFF and FDM 3d printers force filament through extruders from a distance. This distance from the extruder to the actual melt zone creates an unnessary gap between the push point to the actual extrusion point. The MXT extruder has controlled metering pump above the hotend for the pre-emptively melted filament.
BigRep One Website here
Bigrep Print Quality: This accurate combination accurately measures material volume which increases precision and results in high quality prints. This extrusion process can also eliminate oozing that is more problamatic in larger print heads. The BigRep One 3d printer price starts off at $40,000 and the The BigRep Studio price starts off at $62,700.
BigRep Website here
3D Printed Motorcycle
Have you ever wanted to 3d print a motorcycle? These guys did. Check out the CarbonX by 3DXTECH. The 3d printed motorcycle is printed out of carbon fiber reinforced nylon.
More Additive Manufacturing Awesomeness
3D Printed Engine
Permatex has partnered with Polimotor LLC and its founder, Matti Holtzberg to help develop Polimotor 2, the next generation of polymer engines. The Polimotor 2 engine was designed with fiber reinforced polymer engine parts that are used in place of some of the traditional metal components, in order to reduce weight. Weight reduction is a critical factor in both racecars and everyday vehicles in order to maximize fuel economy and horsepower.
Mazak Hybrid Additive CNC
Mazak has a hybrid CNC machine that can 3d print metal and it’s as awesome as it sounds. Designed and manufactured by Mazak, the VC-500 AM HYBRID Multi-Tasking machine combines full 5-axis capability and additive technology that adds layer to additive manufacturing.
- Optimum Part Finish
- High Accuracy
This hightech hybrid machine builds parts to near net shape up to 10 times faster than other similar systems. No need to waste expensive material and losing time by large amounts of metal from a solid stock using traditional machining methods. The compact 5-axis platform named the VC-500 AM is cost effective and accommodates a wide range of part sizes and shapes.
Mazak Hybrid Additive website here
Raise3D
Raise3D manufactures 3d printers for rapid-prototyping and the manufacturing industry. From small batch manufacturing and education to industrial grade 3D printers for high-quality filaments such as PLA, ABS, and PETG.
- Rapid Prototyping
- Education
- Industrial 3D Printing
Dual Extrusion with Switching HotEnds
The Raise 3D Pro2 is a high speed printer for multi-material prints. The high-tech 3d printer uses unique switching hotend to alternate printheads without compromising print quality.
- Resolution <0.005 mm, 5 micron
- High Speed < 1 second switching time
Raise3D presenting parts from their large format Pro 2 Series high-resolution printer and their premium grade filament.
- PLA
- ABS
- Nylon
- ASA / Acrylic Styrene-Acrylonitrile
- PC / Polycarbonate
- PETG / Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified
- PVA / Polyvinyl Alcohol
Raise3D Website here
Stacker 3D Printers
Known for their industrial grade fdm printers, Stacker3D is a US company that manufactures high quality printers for production 3d printing. The Stacker S4-XL has four independent hotends for printing multiple parts at once.
- S4-XL Build Volume 610 x 610 x 610mm
- S2 Build Volume 490mm x 390mm x 650mm
- Closed loop servos for ZERO lost steps
- Four Print Heads Independent
- Combo Drive Extruders
All Steel Chassis & Gantry
The multi head 3d printer gets it high performance from it’s well engineered chassis. The rigid design is optimized to absorb unwanted vibrations and minimize resonance. “This is where design and engineering cross paths.” The printer uses special AC Servos and a steel gantry. Most of the machines parts are formed with CNC presses and powder coated for durability.
STACKER 3D printers are almost completly made in the USA with the highest quality parts and materials. The US company also uses local CNC shops and quality vendors to produce their superior components.
- Made In The USA
- High Quality
- Industrial Grade
Stacker 3D Printer Website here
3D Systems
3D Printed Bicycle
Autodesk presents the Moi Composites 3d printed bicycle at their Rapid Event booth. With their partnership with Moi Composites, they use a Continuous Fiber Manufacturing process called CFM. The 3d printing technique combines the high performance of thermoset composites with the capabilities of rapid prototyping.
Advanced composite materials allows for a range of light weight and strong 3d printed parts and adds a degree of funtionality. Moi’s rapid prototyping process uses a motion system that includes a robotic arm to produce 3d printed other funtional parts that such as a working boat with continuous composites.
Moi Composites here
Autodesk here
Rapid 2020
Rapid Event + TCT 2020 was supposed to be held April 20th – 23rd at Anaheim Convention Center but was unfortunately cancelled due to the shutdown.
Rapid + TCT 2021
America’s largest additive manufacturing event will return in April 26th – April 29th 2021 at Chicago, IL McCormick Place. We hope to see you there. To find out more about the 2021 conference to https://www.rapid3devent.com/
