21st rapid.tech 3D brings together suppliers and users of industrial 3D printing in an even more targeted way for direct exchange
“Innovative and profitable” – The future of additive manufacturing” – this is the motto of the 21st rapid.tech 3D from May 13 to 15, 2025, which will focus on practical applications and future-oriented AM trends.
Once again, the dedicated rapid.tech 3D advisory board has managed to bring together leading AM experts from various industries to the congress. Highlights include keynote speeches from MTU Aero Engines, BWT Alpine Formula One, Roland Berger and Turkish Aerospace. They will shed light on the thrust of AM from civil and military aviation to Formula 1 and everyday manufacturing in production.
Starting points for profitable 3D printing
In his keynote speech, Dr. Karl-Heinz Dusel from MTU Aero Engines addresses a major obstacle to the large-scale use of AM in industry: the cost issue. He will present approaches on how 3D printing of components can become more profitable for the aviation industry. Pat Warner from the BWT Alpine Formula 1 team will give the audience an exclusive look behind the scenes of this sport and show how additive manufacturing technology has changed racing. Max Schaukellis from Roland Berger demonstrates technical solutions and success factors for innovative production in the automated AM factory. Dr. Remzi Ecmel Ece from Turkish Aerospace will provide insights into the company’s additive manufacturing activities in the defense sector.
Demand for more AM applications for the military, energy and electrical engineering
The keynote topics will be explored in greater depth and extended to other sectors in the congress’s specialist forums and in various formats directly in the exhibition hall. “We are seeing increased interest in AM applications for the military sector. That’s why this topic is explicitly on the agenda, with experts from Rheinmetall, Diehl and Airbus. There is also demand for 3D printing solutions in the energy and electrical engineering sectors. The new Energy & Hydrogen and Electronics & Components forums will provide impetus in this area,” reports Michael Eichmann on the new program items. The Stratasys manager has supported rapid.tech 3D from the very beginning and is involved in the event as Chairman of the Advisory Board. “Together with the advisory board and the trade fair team, we have built up an AM event that has held its own for longer than any other in Germany, that offers great content and that always receives top marks from
visitors for its quality.” This motivates him to get involved in the advisory board every year, he emphasizes.
VDMA Additive Manufacturing and DECHEMA continue their partnership
The other Chairman of the Advisory Board, Prof. Dr. Christian Seidel from Munich University of Applied Sciences, also emphasizes that the Erfurt event is on the right track. “This is demonstrated not least by the fact that VDMA Additive Manufacturing and DECHEMA are continuing the partnership with rapid.tech 3D that began in 2024 and that we have been able to gain a new partner in 3D MID e. V. The program will thus highlight the potential of industrial 3D printing for chemistry, process engineering, automation and robotics in an even more focused way. By presenting further economically worthwhile fields of application for the use of proven additive technologies alongside established industry solutions from the aerospace, medical and mobility sectors, we can also get out of the AM bubble and attract new visitors,” the AM expert is convinced.
Formats for even better integration of suppliers and users
In addition to strong practical solutions, the rapid.tech 3D organizers are placing even more emphasis this year on bringing suppliers together with users and interested parties. “For example, we are expanding the very successful ‘Technical Deep Dives Tours’ at the exhibition stands, where suppliers and visitors can interact directly. We are reactivating the ‘Expert Tables’ format. These discussions in small groups will also take place directly in the exhibition area. And we are inviting guests to the ‘AM Science Poster Slam’ at the end of the first day so that they can have a relaxed discussion with the scientists at the after-work party in the hall,” explains Prof. Seidel.
Another exciting item on the rapid.tech 3D program is the anniversary edition of the 3D Pioneers Challenge. To mark its 10th anniversary, the “Pioneer of the Decade” will be awarded an exclusive special trophy. All finalists from the past nine years of the competition are automatically nominated to apply with their latest projects.
In addition, exhibitors and visitors can find out more about quantum technologies and discover intersections and links with AM at Quantum Photonics (13/14 May 2025), which is being held for the first time.
