What to Expect at Formnext 2023?
Formnext 2023 is just around the corner! With the largest additive manufacturing conference in Europe opening its doors on Tuesday, November 7th and running through Friday, November 10th, it is safe to say that the entire 3D printing community is ready for the event. But how will it compare to previous editions? What new things can we expect this year? We took a closer look.
One of the main trends we have seen is the continued interest in the event. Already, the previous edition, Formnext 2022, could be considered a rousing success. It boasted 802 exhibitors and 29, 581 visitors over a 51,148 m2 space. These numbers represented a 32% increase in exhibitors and 66% increase in visitors over the previous year. What’s more it signaled a near return to pre-pandemic levels, showing definitively the recovery of the industry. Now, this year looks to be already set to at least meet if not exceed these levels. Indeed, this is already the case for the exhibitors of which 885 can be found on Formnext’s exhibitor list.
Formnext 2022 featured a return to pre-pandemic levels, a feat that is expected to be met or even surpassed this year
Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President of Formnext at event organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, expanded, “Even in economically challenging times, additive manufacturing is taking on a prominent role in advancing the development of industrial production. That’s because state-of-the-art manufacturing methods like industrial 3D printing can give companies a real competitive edge. A visit to Formnext can show you how this can be achieved – and you will find the right partners there to help you realize your goals.” And there certainly seems to be something for everyone at the show this year.
What’s New at Formnext 2023?
Already, companies are getting ready for the conference with a flurry of announcements about what visitors will be able to see at their booths. For example, we already know what attendees will be able to expect from companies like INTAMSYS. In addition, Formlabs and Markforged have both teased major news to be shared at the event (though have stayed mum on the topic itself), meanwhile new solutions are expected to abound.
Exhibitors are one of the main highlights at Formnext every year
Emaskan Additive will be unveiling a new metal 3D printer while AMT has already announced its PostPro SFX desktop chemical vapor smoothing machine. Both will be present at the event. BASF Forward AM also seems to be launching a number of new products to be on display at Formnext 2023. Meanwhile, Replique will be launching a “comprehensive and open” material database for 3D printing which attendees will be able to see.
Partnerships also seem to be in the spotlight this year. For example the Foundry Lab has announced a development effort with Eaton Corporation (a leading power management company). They expect the collaboration to be an important leap forward in prototyping and additive manufacturing through the use of the Digital Metal Casting System to cast aluminum parts including stainless steel pins. Moreover, we can certainly expect even more news in the coming days. While waiting, be sure to check out the Formnext Exhibitor list HERE to learn even more about who will be attending this year.
Applications will be on display throughout the four halls of the event
A More Diversified Program and Dedicated Stages
Of course, if we are talking about novelties at Formnext 2023, we would be remiss to not mention the expanded program as well as the new stages. The extended program notably will be giving new elements to several tried and true events from within the show. For example, the 9th edition of the Formnext Start-Up Challenge as well as a Career Day on November 9th. Here, prospective job applicants can find out about career opportunities in the field while getting job advice and their own CV image. This will also apply to companies hoping to enter AM who can benefit from daily Discover3Dprinting seminars held in cooperation with ACAM.
Additionally, the Working Group AM at VDMA will be presenting a showcase on valuable applications for AM in mechanical engineering. Furthermore, the BE-AM showcase will be showing important AM applications in construction in conjunction with the BE-AM Symposium which will focus on both past and future developments in this field. Finally, attendees will also be able to learn more about standards at the ASTM standards Forum held in cooperation with USCS, ASTM, ISO and America Makes one day before the show on Monday, November 6th.
At Formnext 2023, attendees can see even more conferences thanks to the new three-stage method
The agenda as well will be filled with important conferences and presentations, with even more expected this year thanks to a three-stage approach. These include an application stage where successful implementations of AM will be highlighted, an industry stage for meta topics and cross-disciplinary discussions such as supply chain resilience and cybersecurity and a technology stage for exhibitors to showcase innovations. All available as well through Formnext streAM, the complementary digital platform that will feature Formnext.TV to give viewers the chance to follow events taking place on stage, but also to connect with exhibitors, view products and arrange meetings. The entire agenda can be found HERE.
In addition, note that in addition to coverage of the entire AM value chain through conferences and supporting program, visitors will also get access to even more through some long time traditions. Notably, the Nordic partner region of whom the exhibitors will focus on sustainably as well as the special “Service Provider Marketplace.” This marketplace was organized in collaboration with Daimler Truck and buses and, as its name suggests, will feature AM service providers presenting exemplary applications from 3D printing in the automotive sector. This will include of course information from well-known automotive companies on how they themselves are integrating AM into production. A boon for any hoping to learn how to enter into the sector or who desire to expand adoption.
In any case, it seems safe to say that Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH at least is hoping to make Formnext 2023 the best one yet. To get all the latest news from both the exhibitors and the show itself, be sure to follow our dedicated page for updates before, during and even after Formnext 2023.
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*All Photo Credits: Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH/Mathias Kutt
