SME Hosting Additive Manufacturing Applications Seminar in Pittsburgh

SME, the nonprofit organization responsible for many great manufacturing industry events, such as SOUTH-TEC, WESTEC, and the annual RAPID + TCT exhibit and conference, does its part to support 3D printing by hosting these events, which give the manufacturing community an opportunity to experience the latest in additive manufacturing (AM) technology, network with industry professionals, and gain knowledge. Next month, the organization is holding another AM event, this time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Additive Manufacturing Applications is part of SME’s ongoing Smart Manufacturing Series, which provides exclusive access to industry experts and leaders who implement 3D printing in their own business operations.

The event, held at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, is developed for design and manufacturing engineers and managers; software developers; business owners and corporate executives; R&D and product design professionals; investors and entrepreneurs; and anyone else who’s interesting in using 3D printing to lower the time to market, streamline design and production, and develop more efficient operations and products.

According to SME, “Additive Manufacturing continues to grow and provide unprecedented opportunities for manufacturers both large and small. It is predicted that the current worldwide sales pace of AM products and services will be close to $9 billion, with future growth almost doubling to around $16 billion by 2020.  Some industry experts are forecasting growth of $50 billion by 2030.

“This explosive growth will undoubtedly disrupt how you think about, plan, and execute your existing manufacturing process. Now is the time to prepare your business and your team for additive manufacturing and position your company for the future.”

If you’re interested in transitioning to 3D printing but unsure how to go about it, and want to learn about the challenges and parts being made from suppliers and manufacturers who have been successful in implementing the technology, this seminar is for you.

SME’s Additive Manufacturing Applications, from 8 am – 5 pm on Thursday, June 7th, will focus on how major companies have transformed their operations by embracing 3D printing. At the event, industry experts will present case studies and novel practices that were assisted by 3D printing, and learn how the technology has optimized part design and enhanced tooling.

Some of the topics to be covered at the event include moving from prototype to production, how metal powders can help produce reliable, repeatable parts that meet testing standards, and how to build functional parts and final products by adding advanced polymers and composites and metals. The seminar will also cover safe handling of powders, including reconditioning in order to return them to specification for additional production runs, and how high-performance specialty alloys have been added to critical applications in aerospace, energy, medical, and transportation markets.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet some of the event sponsors, network with manufacturing peers and industry leaders, and learn about some of the latest techniques and academic research, along with the parts that have been made to support some of the next generation 3D printing techniques and products.

Speakers and presenters on the seminar agenda at SME’s Additive Manufacturing Applications event include:

• Brennon White, Product Application Engineer, Interiors and Electrical SMT Support Session Chair, GM Additive Design & Manufacturing Group
• Dr. Robert Bianco, Senior Materials Scientist, Innovation & Technology, Swagelok
• Nate Kistler, Applications Engineer, LPW Technology
• John Meyer, Technical Manager, Carpenter Powder Products
• Dr. Wei Xiong, Assistant Professor, Ph.D. & D.Eng., Physical Metallurgy & Materials Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh
• Jon Walker, Automotive Specialist and Area Sales Manager, EOS North America
• Ryan Carpenter, Materials Engineer, Materials and Producibility Division, U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC)

They will be presenting on topics including changing a company’s culture to focus on additive manufacturing, how to manufacture consistent metal powder feedstock for 3D printing, metal powders and materials design, and 3D printing in the Army and the automotive field.

In addition, attendees will also have the chance to attend one of two exclusive facility lab tours. Visitors can choose LPW Technology‘s Materials Lab, with a tour of the company’s Commercial Reconditioning Facility for metal 3D printing powder, or visit GE’s Customer Experience Center to see the latest technology from GE Additive.

Registration for SME’s Additive Manufacturing Applications event is still open; full-time students qualify for a reduced rate, as do academics, government employees, and the military. You won’t want to miss it!

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