A recap of the TCT show 2018 highlights

This year’s TCT show 2018 went down in September bringing together 10.000 professionals, from 60 different countries across 20 key industries from the automotive to healthcare etc. Over the 3 day event in Birmingham the visitors got to experience various speakers, exhibitors and product launches. We looked over the event and collected the TCT show 2018 highlights. This years TCT show provided access to a wide range of information from a world-class conference program to the TCT awards being presented across three different stages as well as exciting new projects.

The TCT Awards

This years awards was given out to some great innovative entries. They contained advancements in 3D technology for various industries and settings. The TCT awards 2018 ranged from Automotive and Creative application to various materials and the rising star award. This year’s rising star was awarded the HiETA Technology Ltd project, as one amongst the TCT show 2018 highlights.

TCT award show 2018

Another interesting project that won, was Beeverycreative with their project MELT (Manufacturing of Experimental Layer Technology) that they developed when partnering with Sonaca Space. The MELT project took the TCT Aerospace application award. It is focused on designing, developing and testing a fully functional ALM 3D printer that can work under the International Space Station’s microgravity conditions while 3D printing with engineering polymers containing various properties.

Exhibitors and showcases

Amongst the TCT show 2018 highlight is certainly worth mentioning the various exhibitors and products. A lot of new products was as always presented doing this years TCT show 2018. Everything from filaments presented by ColorFabb to 3D technology being implemented in various ways could be discovered at the conference. More than one new 3D printer and general tools was showcased. An example is the Mimaki 3DUJ-553 that was revealed shortly before the TCT show took place.

Another interesting development came from E3D with their Tool-Changer. As “Normal” multi-material printing can bring various problems. Such problems for example when outputting more than one material through a single nozzle can require a lot of time and filament wasted, as well as cross-contamination etc. E3D have developed their answer to such problems and more. With their new research platform based on a motion system, E3D focus on providing solutions to set problems while providing new possibilities of mixing various materials, such as carbon-fibre, nylon, flexible materials etc. all in one piece. It could be an interesting tool to look closer at as it develops further.

E3D Tool-Changer with four changeable heads

Another booth that was visited a lot was the Prusa stand. Bringing some of their own cool 3D printing applications the Prusa Research Booth showcased at the TCT show 2018. Josef Prusa stood amongst a wide variety of prints, presenting their new material the Prusament and their latest printer, the Prusa SL1. The printer based on a MSLA printing process and featuring autocalibration, a resin sensor, active filtration system etc. As Prusa is  known and celebrated for they are keeping the open source approach with this printer as well.

Photo credit: 3D printing industry

The TCT show 2018 highlights contained a lot of interesting happenings from speeches to exhibitors and new product launches. Walking around you stumble across anything. Ranging from Markfordged showcasing a motorcycle with multiple 3D printed parts, see multiple Starwars figures represented across different promotions and the Open Dog showcasing a creative example of how 3D printing in combinations with other technologies can provide amazing possibilities. The TCT show 2018 was an exciting event opening up a world of 3D printing for people to explore.

Markforged Motorcycle

The TCT show 2019 is already being set up, and if you want to follow the progress for next years show you can do so at the TCT website.

Did you have a chance to go this year’s event? And what TCT show 2018 highlights would you like to point out? Let us know what you think in a comment below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, with all the latest news in 3D printing delivered straight to your inbox!