President’s Report
Bret Bordner
President
Your board is already hard at it. We have dates and a location for the 2014 conference (April 6 – 10, 2014, Tucson, Arizona … see The Sorovetz Report below for details), and we have just concluded a grueling weekend strategy meeting and a successful exposition at RAPID 2013.
I want to thank the board members for their contributions over the two-and-a-half day strategy meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth Goode for facilitating a very productive meeting. In that time, we hammered out the 2014 agenda, modifications to the exposition and sponsor programs, and countless details that will make your 2014 conference the best ever.
I want to also express thanks from AMUG to our sponsors that took time from their busy pre-RAPID schedules to meet with the board. The insight and suggestions, as well as the overwhelming support of AMUG, are key to us making the users group conference an exceptional event. Those companies included Stratasys, SLM Solutions, Somos Materials by DSM, ExOne, Concept Laser, EOS, Renishaw and Optomec.
As part of our strategic planning session, we reviewed the input from our survey. I am pleased to say that what we heard is that the AMUG Conference was outstanding. Yet, there were lots of comments that proved instrumental in our discussions of how to make it even better. Specifically, we:
- Modified the sponsorship programs
- Altered the presentation agenda
- Created new tracks for metals and electronics
- Identified new hands-on workshops
- Created tracks specific to leading technologies
- Identified changes to the registration process
- Mapped out a new, interactive Exhibitor Expo web tool
To make the last item, the interactive expo map, come to life, we need our sponsors and exhibitors to act early. We will have every square inch of the Hilton El Conquistador dedicated to AMUG, but to plan the facility layout, we need to know who will be there in 2014.
I know I have a great team working alongside of me. The dedication and passion were “plain as day” as we ground through 12-hour meetings. With a team like that, I am absolutely positive that your 2014 AMUG Conference will be a “can’t-be-missed” event. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Respectfully yours,
Bret Bordner
AMUG President
president@am-ug.com
Our Mission: Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies.
Vice President’s Report
Mark Barfoot
Vice President
Your AMUG Board was busy during the SME RAPID event. After a weekend of board meetings to plan next year’s conference, we ended on the Monday with meetings with some of our previous sponsors. We took additional time during the actual RAPID show to meet and talk with many of the sponsors that were present. We are working hard to add more sponsors, especially those that will bring equipment for you to inspect and for hands-on training sessions. We’ve also found some additional exhibitors that will be coming to Tucson to join us. Stay tuned for more details as sponsors and exhibitors finalize their commitments.
The AMUG booth at RAPID saw a flurry of activity. Thank you to all that stopped by for a visit. We had a lot of interest from those that have not previously attended an AMUG Conference. Of those that have attended, the common theme was “If you are looking for answers to your technical questions, AMUG is the place to go!”
Mark Barfoot
Vice President
vicepresident@am-ug.com
AMUG Ambassador in China
The first World 3D Printing Technology Alliance Conference held in Beijing proved to be exceptional. The interest in China in 3D printing and its future impact on manufacturing has led to significant funding by the Chinese government, not only at national level but also by matched funding from local governments.
This has led to the forming of the China 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance, with some 40 companies having already joined. The main reason for the alliance is the planning of 10 regional technology centers. These centers will provide industry with the facilities to understand how these technologies could impact businesses. Each will showcase relevant AM technology. The centers will also provide educational programs. The first center will be in Nanjing; the second is planned for Qingdao.
The conference attracted over 600 delegates: 120 attendees from the media, 30 investors, 100 academics and the balance from industry. The countries represented were China, China (Taiwan), USA, UK, Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia and Singapore, amongst others. The conference had extensive media coverage with CCTV24 television present during the entire conference. I had the pleasure of being interviewed several times for both television and radio programs.
Interestingly, 3D printing stocks, as a whole, rose four to five percent during the conference.
There was also a small exhibition that housed many of the low-cost 3D printers (desktop size) and exhibits by ExOne, Renishaw, SLM Solutions and other larger machine suppliers.
Dr. Lou Jun, head of the Asian Manufacturing Association, said he expects revenues from services and products to grow to $1.6 billion in China over the next three years, and he see’s the market doubling a short time later.
The second World 3D Printing Technology Alliance Conference is scheduled to take place May 2014.
Graham Tromans
G P Tromans Associates
Principal Industry Consultant
Chief Consultant – Chinese 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance
Sponsor News – Stratasys
PolyJet Parts Shine as Prototypes and Sand-Casting Patterns
Family-owned Armac Martin, based in Birmingham in the UK, has been making brass, steel and aluminum fixtures for years and recently acquired a Stratasys Objet24 Desktop 3D Printer.
Remarkably, Armac Martin uses its PolyJet technology-based system for both prototyping and manufacturing tooling, according to a video case study. Making the most of the smooth surfaces and excellent part quality of PolyJet materials, the company is able to accurately and quickly design and prototype new drawer pulls and fixtures that help their customers make the right choice for their kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. The team sends parts for final manufacturing only after customer approval.
Sand cast end product manufactured in brass
The second use for Armac Martin’s 3D printer is creating sand cast parts. First, the company creates a pattern on the Objet 3D Printer. From this they create mold cavities by compacting sand around the pattern. Once the cavity is ready, molten metal flows in and cools, making a final part in the precise shape of the initial 3D printed pattern. For Armac Martin, additive manufacturing makes the process faster, more efficient and highly repeatable.
TCT + Personalize
What’s new in the TCT camp?
Duncan Wood and I left for Florida back in mid-April on an odyssey that covered Florida, New York, Pittsburgh and New York (again) — all in the name of AM and 3D printing.
The first leg of the trip had us heading to the Sunshine State for the 25th edition of the AMUG conference. With more attendees and exhibitors than ever before, AMUG is proving to be an excellent platform for the AM industry, especially as users of all AM technologies drive the conversation. The networking opportunities once again proved to be one of the main drivers for attendees, and the organisers work hard to ensure that there is the time and environment for such contact.
From Florida, we were New York bound to visit Shapeways and Solidoodle. We chatted with Shapeways CEO Peter Weijmarshausen about startup culture, 3D printing, risk, business building, design… essentially everything that the company is about.
The next day we were on an 0600 flight to Pittsburgh, home to ExOne. Speaking with President and COO Dave Burns proved an enlightening experience in terms of the technology, business model and opportunities afforded by 3D printing technology.
Back to New York where our first stop was the Makerbot store in Greenwich Village. We spent time with Bre Pettis before the store opened for business. He explained how this location offers equal parts retail and education.
The final afternoon took us across town for the Inside 3D Printing Conference and Expo. Although we only had time for a flying visit, it was obvious that the conference sessions and expo area had generated significant interest. If nothing else, this hectic end to the trip reinforced my enthusiasm for TCT + Personalize (September 25-26, Birmingham, UK), which is now entering its 19th year as an AM and 3D printing focused event.
Finally, I am happy to announce that the AMUG and TCT Show + Personalize have further strengthened their ties. Past President Gary Rabinovitz will be making the trip over to the UK for this ground-breaking event.
You can read about all of the above, and more, in detail in the most recent issue of TCT, available now on the iPad here.
James Woodcock
Group Editor & Conference Director
TCT + Personalize
Sponsor News – Stratasys
Pseudo-Composite Material Draws Praise
A Stratasys patent for a pseudo-composite material took the gold award at this year’s Concours Lépine International Inventions Exhibition, which awards innovation paired with economic viability.
Read the news release here.
SSYS Stock Evaluation
ENGINEERING.com
Barring substantially adverse shocks to the global economy, Stratasys has the essential elements in place to trade much higher than current share prices. “Into the stratosphere” may be taking some artistic license, but given their current leadership position in the 3D printing industry, the Objet merger progressing smoothly and ahead of schedule, historic and projected earnings growth, a strong moat of patents and a breakneck expansion of R&D investments, Gary Anderson doesn’t see the stock heading south.
Read the rationale at ENGINEERING.com.
The Sorovetz Report
Tom Sorovetz
Event Manager
Well, its official — the 2014 AMUG Conference and Exposition will be held April 6 -10, 2014, at the Hilton El Conquistador (www.hiltonelconquistador.com) in sunny Tucson, Arizona. We have had the AMUG Conference and Exhibition here twice before, and everyone who attended wanted to go back to this great property.
The Hilton El Conquistador is nestled at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains and surrounded by acres of high Sonoran Desert terrain with a spectacular view of Pusch Ridge. The Hilton El Conquistador is approximately 25 miles from Tucson International Airport (I am working on round trip transportation at a reduced fee) and 100 miles from the Phoenix International Airport (for those of you who are planning to fly into/out of Phoenix let me know, and I will see about arranging transportation at a reduced rate as well).
The hotel has plenty of things to do if you arrive early or stay the weekend after the conference. It has a nine-hole golf course (Pusch Ridge Course) as well as bike trails, horseback riding (no, Roger, you can’t go horseback riding this time) and tennis courts. The pool area has a slide, a hot tub, a cold plunge and of course a great pool area (open 24 hours and heated to 85+ °F}, so bring your swimwear. The hotel also has a country club a few miles away with 36 holes of golf. Local area points of interest include the Biosphere 2, Jeep Tours and a whole lot more.
The Hilton El Conquistador has 428 sleeping rooms; reservations will be opening within the next few weeks. The 2013 AMUG Conference had 362 attendees plus vendors so I would suggest booking as soon as we start taking reservations to secure a room … you can always cancel prior to the conference if necessary. For those who have to go through a travel group, I would speak with them to see if it would reserve your room early.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me at eventmanager@am-ug.com.
Hope to see you at the 2014 AMUG Conference and Exposition in Tucson, Arizona
Have a GREAT summer,
Thomas A. Sorovetz
Event Manager
