DEARBORN — SME and the England-based owner of the TCT Group, Rapid News Publications Ltd, announced they would team up to produce the annual RAPID 3D manufacturing event starting in 2017.
The two organizations are combining their nearly 30 years of insights and experience in 3D manufacturing technologies. They say the new event, to be renamed RAPID + TCT, will result in an increased impact on the U.S. manufacturing industry.
RAPID has been produced by SME since its inception 26 years ago as an additive manufacturing and 3D technology conference and exposition. It has seen significant growth in attendance, exhibits and activities in recent years. Through its TCT portfolio, Rapid News has been at the forefront of the 3D printing, additive manufacturing and product development movement for more than 20 years.
Emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing) and other 3D technologies are enabling manufacturers to reduce time to market, produce stronger and lighter parts, improve efficiency, reduce waste, cost and emissions and create products and geometries they couldn’t create before.
“RAPID has developed significantly in the last five years and still we recognize that even more 3D manufacturing knowledge and expertise is needed now,” said Debbie Holton, director of events and industry strategy at SME. “By combining the resources of SME with TCT’s trusted and respected global brand and media reach, we will create an even stronger event that has a greater national impact on manufacturing, helping companies compete with these high tech tools in a quickly changing market.”
Added Duncan Wood, COO of Rapid News Publications: “This partnership with SME fits with our mission of accelerating 3D technology adoption worldwide. RAPID is the leading 3D manufacturing show in the U.S. and we are delighted to be able to add our experience, ideas and media power to the fantastic team at SME, We look forward to building an amazing RAPID + TCT event with them in the coming years.”
Learn more at the RAPID 2016 event taking place May 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.. Register to attend at www.rapid3devent.com.
More at www.sme.org or www.thetctgroup.com.