Page 28 - 3D Metal Printing Fall 2017

3D FEATURE
TCT Show Takeaways
The 2017 edition of this 3D-printing event, held annually in Birmingham, United Kingdom, had plenty to offer for fans of metal additive manufacturing. BY LOUIS A. KREN, SENIOR EDITOR
By the time the 2017 TCT Show wrapped on September 28, organ- izers estimated that nearly 10,000 attendees (including a team from 3D Metal Printing magazine) from more than 40 countries viewed technologies and serv- ices from more than 250 exhibitors. Though the event covers all additive-man- ufacturing (AM) processes, exhibits fea- turing 3D metal printing have continued to increase.
Backing the exhibits, more than 50 pre- sentations served to educate 1000-plus attendees on various related technologies. In a first for the TCT Show, the main stage
gave visitors the opportunity to assess research developments and real-life exam- ples of the ways 3D technologies are used throughout numerous industries via pre- sentations by Intel, McLaren Racing, John- son & Johnson, Sabotage Design, DuPont and others.
Startup companies from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain unveiled their innovations in the Start Up Zone—including a pitch ses- sion where the new companies competed for the coveted 2017 Start Up Award. The winner, FabRX, looks to exploit 3D print- ing for fabricating pharmaceuticals and
medical devices. While the company has focused on nonmetallic fused-filament printing and stereolithography to produce bioresponsive products for oral and implantable medicines, it has noted selec- tive laser sintering, a metal-alloy-friendly process, as a possibility in producing non- metal medicinal products.
Awards Program Recognizes Metal-AM Developments
This year’s TCT Show also featured the inaugural TCT Awards, taking place at Birm- ingham Town Hall, a short distance from the show location. The awards program
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