Mar 8, 2023   SOURCE: BusinessWire

From Spaceflight to Industry Insight: Additive Manufacturing Keynote Speakers Announced for RAPID + TCT 2023

The most accredited leaders and experts in additive manufacturing (AM) will gather to educate and innovate at RAPID + TCT 2023, North America’s largest and most influential AM event in North America as it returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place, May 2 - 4. Each day will kick off with a keynote speaker presentation featuring leading authorities and iconic innovators in AM covering topics like AM applications in space, scaling digital manufacturing spaces, and a panel discussion taking a pulse on AM’s challenges and what the future holds.

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Robert "Bob" Willig, Executive Director & CEO, SME (Photo: Business Wire)

Robert "Bob" Willig, Executive Director & CEO, SME (Photo: Business Wire)

The three-day event, produced by SME and Rapid News Publications, owner of the TCT Group, will bring together thousands of AM experts and students from around the world, feature hundreds of exhibitors, as well as two thought-leadership panels across a swath of industries including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, defense and more.

“AM’s growth has been exponential, and we know we’ve only begun to scratch the surface to unlocking the potential of how AM and its advancements will change the world,” said Robert Willig, executive director & CEO of SME. “Additive has been ingrained in me over many years, and I’m astonished at the content that our powerhouse lineup of speakers and experts will be bringing to RAPID + TCT this year. They’re going to dig deep into where AM is heading and share our real-world experiences to make this an unforgettable discussion on what the future holds for AM.”

Visionary keynote speakers and topics include:

  • Building and Scaling an Industrial Digital Manufacturing System: Tuesday, May 2
    • Kevin Czinger founder, lead inventor and CEO of Divergent Technologies will discuss the architecture and elements of the Divergent Adaptive System (DAPS™), its benefits and the business model for localizing sustainable manufacturing on a global scale.
  • Additive Manufacture for Space: Past, Present, Future: Wednesday, May 3
    • Omar Mireles, PhD, Additive Manufacturing R&D engineer at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, will discuss how AM enables tech, decreases the cost of rocket engine manufacturing, increases design flexibility, provides access to new materials and more.
  • AM Industry Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges: Thursday, May 4
    • Terry Wohlers, head of Advisory Services and Market Intelligence, ASTM International
    • Robert ‘Bob’ Willig, executive director & CEO of SME
    • Chris Ciuca, vice president of Programs at SAE International
    • Wohlers, Willig and Ciuca will join the winner of the AM Industry Achievement Award, which will be announced during the event, for a panel discussion discussing challenges and opportunities in AM.

“The impact of AM worldwide is truly astounding,” Wohlers said. “Advancements in products and services, coupled with how organizations are putting AM to work, are disrupting the way people think about design and manufacturing. It is a privilege to share my thoughts and experiences at RAPID + TCT 2023 and to weigh in on where the AM industry is headed.”

In addition to keynote presentations, RAPID + TCT 2023 will feature almost 170 technical presentations, evaluated and selected by a team of world-class experts, covering AM trends across industries including healthcare, aerospace, defense, automotive, design for additive manufacturing, economics, R&D, supply chains, metrology and more. Topics range from tips on getting started with large-format 3D printing in consumer-goods industries to the impact of micro 3D printing on prototyping and designs in healthcare.

Registration is now open to attend the premier destination for technology providers and industry leaders worldwide.

To learn more about what RAPID + TCT 2023 has to offer, visit https://www.rapid3devent.com and keep up to date with all things AM by following us @RAPID_Event on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About RAPID + TCT 2023

For more than 30 years, SME and RAPID have defined the crucial role of additive manufacturing and empowered the establishment of an industry that continues to conceive, test, improve, and manufacture new products at a faster, more cost-efficient pace. In 2017, the two industry leaders in 3D technology events, SME and The TCT Group, partnered to produce the annual RAPID + TCT event. For users and suppliers alike, the event is the premier destination for those who provide technology and for those who need to understand, explore and adopt 3D printing, additive manufacturing, 3D scanning, CAD/CAE metrology, and inspection technologies.

About SME

SME believes in the power of technology and the innovation of people to advance our nation and solve the world’s greatest problems. For 90 years, SME has led the manufacturing ecosystem to elevate manufacturers, academia, professionals, and the communities in which they operate. We help build the bridge from today to the future by developing the next generation of manufacturing talent and informing industry on technology advances that can propel their operations into excellence. Learn more at sme.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter, or facebook.com/SMEmfg.

About Rapid News Publications Ltd & The TCT Group

Rapid News Publications Ltd, the owner of the TCT Group, has been a leading authority in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, design, and engineering technology for more than 30 years. A rich mix of live events and an all-encompassing media portfolio enables TCT to deliver business-critical intelligence, connecting the additive community across Europe, North America, and Asia. The TCT Group (thetctgroup.com) is owned by Rapid News Publications Ltd (rapidnews.com) a member of the AEO (Association of Event Organizers) and BPA Worldwide.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images of Bob Willig and the speakers are available from SME.