Erfurt, December 2014: For over a decade, Rapid.Tech has been a leading international meeting point for the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industries. Not least because the Erfurt conference and trade fair has always kept up with the dynamic development in the field. That is why the next Rapid.Tech in Erfurt on 10 and 11 June 2015 will have a new, optimised structure: New topics, visionary outlooks and insights and even more information will make the conference and trade fair more attractive to both visitors and exhibitors.

There are very few areas of technology that are developing as dynamically and successfully as additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing. And there are very few industries that are unable to use these processes to lower costs, increase productivity and reduce their time-to-market. "The latest developments in additive manufacturing are all taken into account with our optimised conference structure for 2015. For example, we will have a purely scientific section for the first time," confirms Wieland Kniffka, CEO of Messe Erfurt.

This two day event will expand on the existing programme. At its heart will be presentations on topics such as materials and quality assurance, which, as with all speeches given at Rapid.Tech, will be interpreted simultaneously (German<>English). The upcoming event will also feature the first forum looking into the future of the industry, "Vision 3D". This will not only cover future concepts and comprehensive debates, but will also present promising applications and visionary approaches for additive manufacturing by way of practical examples.

Another new feature will be the "Tools" expert forum. This will focus on the application of additive manufacturing processes in manufacturing cutting dies and embossing tools, injection moulding tools and die casting moulds. The possibilities and limitations of the various processes used in manufacturing moulds and tool elements will also be discussed.

The established "Medical Technology" and "Aerospace" expert forums provide an opportunity for intensive, expert discussion of these leading AM fields. The "New Technologies" user conference will once again feature on the agenda. For the past eleven years, it has been an important forum for people to discuss where development for additive manufacturing is heading. The "Design Engineers Day" will also return - the event that gives design engineers the opportunity to learn about the basics of these technologies and the constructive freedoms associated with them, and gain detailed knowledge about the process-specific features and limitations.

In addition, Rapid.Tech 2015 will host the Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance forum. It will cover the practical, scientific aspect of the field and inform visitors of innovations that are still at the development stage.

In parallel to Rapid.Tech on 10 and 11 June, Messe Erfurt will also host the 3rd FabCon 3.D visitor trade fair for semi-professional users and prosumers.

Further information about the Rapid.Tech conference and trade fair and FabCon 3.D can be found at www.rapidtech.de and www.fabcon-germany.com.