Master Additive Manufacturing in Different Verticals at RAPID + TCT 2025
When asked about the barriers for additive manufacturing adoption, one that constantly comes up is the lack of knowledge or expertise in the field. Although AM technologies have been around since the 80s, many engineers still do not have the necessary skills to use them. This is where education and events like RAPID + TCT come in.
Lack of education and the resulting skills shortage has long been identified as a major obstacle for AM integration, especially when it comes to industries that are less accustomed to 3D printing. This is being addressed by an increasing amount of AM courses at prestigious universities but also through manufacturing events. In fact, RAPID + TCT is one of the leaders in this as one of the first events to implement a full educational conference component and remains one of the most extensive to this day. Let’s take a look at what that means for the 2025 edition.
Todd Grimm speaking at a session at RAPID + TCT 2024 (photo credits: SME)
Don’t forget, either. There is still time to register for RAPID + TCT and get a 20% discount on a conference pass, whether for one day or multiple, with the code “3DNATIVES.” You will also be entered into a giveaway for a 3D printed golf club, though be quick. This offer expires on Friday, March 28th.
Taking Advantage of a Conference Pass at RAPID + TCT 2025
So, what are the benefits of having a conference pass to RAPID + TCT 2025? As we told you in a previous article, the conference pass is the only way to get full access to all the conference sessions for full insights into how businesses are putting AM to work. A full conference pass not only includes access to all conference presentations and lunches but also discounted SME membership, access to the keynote series, the SME workforce center, AM industry celebration and networking activities, the AM Pitchfest competition and the AM industry awards. Meanwhile, users could also choose a one-day pass for all presentations on a certain day.
The AM Pitchfest last year (photo credits: SME)
There will be over 140 technical presentations that have been reviewed and hand-selected by industry-leading experts. This will be reflected as well by the presence of distinguished speakers including representatives from Ford, Siemens Energy, Stratasys, BlueForge Alliance, the U.S. Navy, Ricoh USA 3D for Healthcare and DMG Mori, among others.
Beyond that, what sets RAPID + TCT apart is its long history specifically with education that allows its conference program to truly help users at any point in their AM journey to gain the knowledge they need. The breadth of the program as well will ensure that it is possible to take AM know-how to the next level. The topics address the needs of people in these industries, including some of those that can be real obstacles in the adoption of AM such as questions about certification, material choice and the right process for an application. But let’s take a look at what exactly that means.
The audience at a session at RAPID + TCT 2024 (photo credits: SME)
A Focus on Applications
Beyond process- and material-based presentations, verticals are a major part of RAPID + TCT’s conference program. This year, five of the eight tracks center on verticals: aerospace, defense, healthcare, mobility and consumer goods. Here, users in any of these sectors will be able to learn from experts in order to expand their own AM knowledge.
Aerospace and defense especially deserve a special mention because this year the AeroDef manufacturing conference will be a part of RAPID + TCT with its own dedicated sessions and even area on the show flow. The sessions touch upon everything from design including how AI and AM can be combined for even better results, to materials and end-use applications. Additional aerospace sessions include those centered on qualification, post-processing and more with speakers from Eaton Aerospace and Boeing, among others.
Applications for AM in healthcare will again be prominent at RAPID + TCT, as shown by the fact that the topic has its own track (photo credits: 3Dnatives)
Healthcare, mobility and consumer goods also all promise to be useful for users working in these sectors, no matter where they are in their additive manufacturing journey. For instance, in consumer goods, it is possible to learn more about how additive manufacturing is transforming the golf industry (from the company making the giveaway prize of a 3D printed golf club) as well as a talk on regulatory consideration for the use of AM to produce firearms from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Then in healthcare, you could learn about everything from digital twins to material biocompatibility and perspectives on hospital 3D printing. The mobility track meanwhile will include presentations such as GM standards for additive material development, upcycling metal AM for automotive applications and how to accelerate product development.
The focus on these different stages of production (design, materials, printing, standardization, post-processing and more) means that all the knowledge for AM adoption truly is in one place, making additive manufacturing more accessible to attendees of RAPID + TCT. And of course, these are only a few examples of what you can learn in the conference program.
So don’t delay. Be sure to register and receive a 20% off discount on a RAPID + TCT conference pass HERE to ensure that you are able to fully take advantage of all North America’s largest additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing even has to offer.
What part of the RAPID + TCT 2025 conference are you most looking forward to? Do you already have your conference pass? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Cover Photo Credits: 3Dnatives
