Copyright: Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH / Mathias Kutt

If you have been in this industry for a while, you may already know that Formnext is one of the famous international trade shows, which has grown substantially during the past years. 

Evolved from merely a platform for 3D print design to today, it has become all-dominating about industrial applications of AM in many sectors including dental labs, construction arenas, heavy machinery production, airplanes, oil rigs and even floating in space on the International Space Station (ISS).

In its early years, Formnext saw companies experimenting with Additive Manufacturing technology. Constant growth in the AM sector has resulted in the emergence of 3D printing at a massive scale of vertical trade shows aimed at one particular end-user domain. Today, the emphasis is on real-life business cases and return on investment. 

Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President for Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, explains: Year on year across the entire industry, increased focus is placed on return-on-investment alongside overall technological solutions. There was a time when companies tried out Additive Manufacturing and only acquired AM systems & they had the technology within their company, but that phase is over.” Today, Additive Manufacturing is increasingly competing with other manufacturing technologies, and real-life business cases are often important or even decisive factors when choosing a solution. That impacts the requirements exhibitors place on Formnext.

Wenzler adds: “Companies usually need to provide a lot of consulting with this kind of technology so they want to be as targeted as possible and avoid wastage in their communication.” 

Tailored services for various industries

Formnext addresses a broad range of industries with its tailored formats and services. The Formnext event brings together innovations and demands from end-user industries, ensuring continuous evolution. 

Even though it caters to a broad portfolio of industries, Formnext focuses on the whole AM process chain. As a reminder, it ranges from 3D printers, post-processing, software/material vendors & quality assurance solutions. 

The distinctive presentation sessions from Formnext enrich users with various industrial 3D printing techniques and curated programs on Discover3Dprinting specialized for beginners in 3D printing.

According to Dr.-Ing. Markus Heering, MD of the VDMA Working Group Additive Manufacturing – This holistic approach makes Formnext relevant for industrial applications.

Global expansion of Formnext

Formnext’s successful concept has been adapted to global markets like the USA, Japan, and China. Mesago Messe Frankfurt aims to introduce AM benefits to companies in these regions, leveraging Formnext’s proven formats.

Formnext continues to set the benchmark in the AM industry, providing a comprehensive platform for showcasing and advancing the technology. With its year-round engagement and global reach, Formnext ensures that the AM community stays connected and informed, driving innovation and growth across diverse sectors.

Author: Nagarjun M.

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