Rapid.Tech 3D, a leading trade fair for additive manufacturing technologies, will place a special focus on defense technology in 2024. Due to the strong interest and significant progress made in the previous year, the Innovations in AM forum will dedicate a separate block to this sector. On May 15, 2024, experts from Force Technology, Rheinmetall and Metrom will present their latest developments and applications.
“The advantages of the flexibility and speed of additive manufacturing processes are particularly reflected in difficult environments – especially in stationary, but also mobile challenges. Consequently, AM processes are used in the defense industry and in the field under particularly challenging operating conditions. The forum will present solutions based on specific examples,” says Dr. Eric Klemp, Head of Hydrogen and Additive Manufacturing at Whitecell Eisenhuth GmbH & Co. KG and member of the Rapid.Tech 3D advisory board.
Force Technology provides an outstanding example of the efficiency of 3D printing with a case study on the production of aircraft parts for the F-35 fighter jet. Michel Honoré, Senior Team Leader, reports that by switching from traditional CNC machining to additive manufacturing, material consumption was reduced by over 95% and production time was cut significantly.
With the Mobile Smart Factory, Rheinmetall presents an innovative solution for the rapid provision of spare parts directly in the field. Thomas R. Kerk, Team Leader System Support at Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, emphasizes that this modular logistics solution makes it possible to manufacture spare parts efficiently, regardless of location, while ensuring the highest safety standards in data handling.
Another highlight is the presentation of the world’s first mobile repair factory for hybrid machining from Metrom. Marcus Witt, CTO of Metrom, will explain how their technology makes it possible to combine additive and subtractive manufacturing processes in order to carry out on-site maintenance and repair work on large-scale systems.
In addition to defense technology, the Innovations in AM specialist forum will also focus on developments in green energy and hydrogen technologies as well as 3D-printed electronics. With a comprehensive program that includes various industry and science forums, the Rapid.Tech 3D Congress will provide important impetus for the further development of additive manufacturing.
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