AM sets its sights on composites

Visitors to the TCT Show 2017 can learn about 3D printed carbon fibre on the desktop, automated layering and cutting of prepreg carbon fibre sheets, 3D printed moulds and lay-up tools among others.

A number of recent developments in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry point towards its ambition to process composite materials in an additive, layer-by-layer manner, and develop materials and processes that disrupt what we now must accept as the composites status quo.

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 26–28 September 2017, visitors to this year’s TCT Show will be able to learn about 3D printed carbon fibre on the desktop, automated layering and cutting of prepreg carbon fibre sheets, 3D printed moulds and lay-up tools and much more.

TCT Show is one of the world’s leading events focused on 3D manufacturing technologies. In its 22nd year, the event continues to deliver business-critical insights on 3D printing, AM, CAD/CAE, metrology and inspection as well as conventional manufacturing processes including moulding, casting and CNC machining.

This year, visitors will benefit not only from the opportunity to connect with almost 300 exhibiting companies displaying innovative technologies and services, but also from ground-breaking product launches, exciting demonstrations and enthralling presentations from a world-class speaker line up including representatives from Intel, McLaren Racing, Adidas, Johnson & Johnson, Sabotage Design, DuPont and many more.

The conference and seminar track has grown exponentially for 2017. Now taking place across three dedicated stages split into key themes, the free-to-attend programme will deliver relevant content in the most efficient way.

A celebration of innovation in product development, engineering and manufacturing, the Main Stage @ TCT will present applications and insights from some of the world’s best companies. Now CPD accredited, the programme will feature research developments and real-life examples of the ways in which 3D technologies are used within aerospace, automotive, medical and dental as well as consumer and industrial product design.

The Product Stage @ TCT will feature both first-time and returning TCT Show exhibitors discussing their latest products and services including materials, software, inspection and scanning. With so many companies exhibiting on the show floor, these 20-minute presentations will give visitors the chance to get all the information they’re looking for in one place.

Meanwhile, the Tech Stage @ TCT will host a range of CPD certified workshops created to offer attendees a broad range of topics and speakers. Whether a novice or an expert in the AM industry, the programme will have something for everyone; from the “beginners guide to AM” session to a discussion about the health and safety of metal powders.

In addition to the conference programme, visitors will be entertained and inspired throughout the three-day event with exciting show features, including Inspex which focuses on inspection and metrology technologies, and TCT Inspired Minds – a unique educational experience allowing over 300 schoolchildren to get hands-on with 3D technologies.

Additionally, attendees to TCT Show will also get free access to Interplas, the UK’s largest and leading event for the plastics and plastics processing industry. An ‘Introduction to Composites’ session will run on the Introducing Stage on Day 2 of Interplas, presented by NetComposites. On the show floor, a large proportion of the 450 Interplas exhibitors cater to the plastics, composites and related industries, making a diversion into Hall 4 well worth visitor’s time.

With a record-breaking expansion of the show floor for 2017, TCT Show will host more exhibitors than ever before. Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with an exciting and varied range of businesses - almost 300 exhibiting companies including 3D Systems, HP, GE Additive, Desktop Metal, Carbon, Renishaw, Stratasys, Envisiontec and many more.

www.tctshow.com