Not only has the entire industry changed significantly, but so have the challenges for Formnext’s organizers. The response to these challenges is an offering that goes far beyond organizing the event itself and continuously supplies the global AM community with valuable, content-driven resources.
While at the first Formnext in 2015, many exhibitors showcased extravagant 3D-printed designs, companies now focus on concrete applications within an industrial context. "In the entire industry, the return on investment is becoming increasingly important each year, alongside complete technological solutions. The phase where many companies were experimenting with additive manufacturing and acquiring AM systems just to have the technology in-house has clearly passed," explains Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President of Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Today, additive manufacturing competes more and more with other production technologies, and real business cases are generally key metrics. This has also affected the expectations exhibitors have for Formnext: "Companies are seeking the most targeted approach possible for their often consulting-intensive technology, with minimal scatter," Wenzler adds. This is becoming increasingly important in the world of additive manufacturing because the technology is now used in a wide variety of industries: 3D printers are found today in dental laboratories, on construction sites, in factories for machinery and aircraft, on oil rigs, or even floating in space with the ISS.
High Variety of User Industries
"Our exhibitors supply all of these industries along the entire upstream and downstream production processes. Only Formnext addresses such a wide array of users and potential user industries to further spread the technology across the manufacturing sector," says Sascha Wenzler. Rainer Lotz, President EMEA at Renishaw and Chairman of the Formnext Exhibitor Advisory Board, adds: "Formnext creates tailored offerings and formats for each industry. Year after year, innovations from the AM sector meet demand from the user industries, fostering continuous development in the direction needed by the industry."
Formnext addresses these diverse users of additive manufacturing throughout the year with a wide range of content, including Fon Mag, the AM Field Guide, Formnext.TV, various white papers, and more, while also providing them with proper orientation at the trade show itself.
The continued strong growth of the AM industry has led to 3D printing becoming a feature at many vertical trade shows focused on specific user industries. "However, 3D printing is usually a peripheral topic at these events, and the solutions presented are naturally very specialized," Wenzler explains. "For those who want comprehensive information on the entire range of processes or need a custom solution involving multiple manufacturing stages, Formnext is indispensable."
Core Brand and Process Chain
Despite the variety of user industries, the core brand of Formnext has remained unchanged over the past decade: "The core is and remains additive manufacturing, including its entire process chain," says Wenzler. At Formnext, visitors will find not only manufacturers of various 3D printers but also providers of software and materials, service providers, and companies specializing in post-processing and quality assurance. "This successful approach has proven itself, and we are continually developing it in close collaboration with our exhibitor advisory board, industry, and many stakeholders based on market requirements."
Representing the additive manufacturing process chain is crucial because for industrial applications, it’s no longer enough just to buy a 3D printer. "Pre- and post-production steps are required, and they need to be appropriate for the specific application. That’s precisely the variety Formnext offers," explains Dr.-Ing. Markus Heering, Managing Director of the Additive Manufacturing Working Group at the VDMA and long-time member of the Formnext Exhibitor Advisory Board. This is also reflected in the demands of Formnext visitors, who often seek complete process solutions. At Formnext, users can find not only the appropriate and latest technologies but also, through the stage program and seminars, the necessary know-how. The diverse lecture program at Formnext sheds light on the latest technologies, applications, and developments in the world of industrial 3D printing. The renowned Discover3Dprinting seminars are aimed at newcomers to 3D printing. "Together with the year-round content offerings, we are able to tap into new target groups and contacts, which is ultimately an important wish of our exhibitors," Wenzler reports.
International Concept
The added value created by Formnext’s unique concept is also carried to other continents by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, with locally tailored formats in key AM markets such as the USA, Japan, and China. These formats are based on the highly successful parent event Formnext in Frankfurt. "In all these countries, we see a huge potential of companies that have not yet encountered additive manufacturing or have not yet utilized the advantages of this fascinating technology. With our brand formats, we help unlock this potential," says Petra Haarburger, President of Mesago Messe Frankfurt.
More information about Formnext 2024 can be found at www.formnext.com
