Erfurt, Germany, May 2014 - For the 11th time, on 14 and 15 May 2014, Rapid.Tech in Erfurt will be the meeting place for newcomers and experts, researchers and users to get to know and discuss the latest results, trends and opportunities of additive manufacturing processes. The "design engineers' day" on 15 May will focus on issues especially relevant to product development and design. Its neat dovetailing of talks by experts and trade fair presentations will provide an extensive knowledge exchange opportunity on topics, which are recently discussed at universities and in R&D departments.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is one of the key technologies for the implementation of global trends such as individualisation and sustainability, and it is also an essential part in regard to Industry 4.0. "Whether dealing with load-compliant structures or function integration, additive manufacturing processes open up completely new possibilities. But using these technologies requires special expertise, because classical design principles cannot simply be applied to them," explained Professor Dr.-Ing. Detmar Zimmer, Chair of Design and Drive Technology at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Paderborn University, who is responsible for the "design engineers' day" programme.

The one-day event includes eight lectures with simultaneous interpretation (German <> English) given by leading figures in research and industry. The first presentation looks at the latest developments in design rules for the additive manufacturing processes laser sintering, laser melting and fused deposition modelling. This will shed light on the possibilities, but also on the limitations of these processes. The talk will also answer the following question: can the scope of design rules previously developed for laser sintering be extended to different boundary conditions in manufacturing? The challenges for additive manufacturing that arise when developing and designing a metallic structural component for a racing car with FE-based topology optimization will be the topic of the next lecture. Further talks will address the advantages for product development that result from the combination of topology optimisation, rapid prototyping and investment casting. Another lecture will focus on the possibilities for using today's mathematical knowledge and software for developing highly complex structures according to those found in nature computer-based, than to manufacture them using AM, and thereby creating components with new properties from familiar materials. A new approach to the design of load-compliant sandwich components will also be presented. It enables better exploitation of the potential for lightweight construction using honeycomb structures by locally varying and adapting them to the loads occurring. Simultaneously, additional functions can be integrated using additive manufacturing. Talks on the serial production of complex components for use in the aerospace industry are also on the agenda.

Rapid.Tech 2014 - the full spectrum of additive manufacturing

Alongside the "design engineers' day", there will be forums for medical and dental technology and aviation, plus a user's conference at Rapid.Tech 2014. The Rapid.Tech specialist trade fair provides comprehensive information about the latest developments in materials, procedures and machines. "Additive manufacturing processes are becoming ever more relevant across multiple industries and are playing an increasingly important part in production processes. This is generating an enormous demand for information, as well as for an exchange of experiences and discussion", explained Wieland Kniffka, Head of Messe Erfurt. "Rapid.Tech is setting standards here, with its mix of think-tank, knowledge transfer and an exhibition geared toward practical applications."

FabCon 3.D - 3D printing for consumers and industry

From 15-17 May 2014, Messe Erfurt will also be hosting the second German Personal Fabrication Convention, FabCon 3.D. Numerous exhibitors will be showcasing current developments and products from the 3D printing sector for entrepreneurs, designers, hobbyists and any other interested parties. This convention, in combination with Rapid.Tech's "Industrial Day" (15 May 2014) will give fans and industry experts a chance to engage in direct dialogue and provide insights into the latest developments for the consumer market in the up-and-coming technology of 3D printing.

The complete programme of the design engineers day as well as further information about Rapid.Tech and FabCon 3.D can be found at www.rapidtech.de and at www.fabcon-germany.com.