While Germany’s own economic situation remains middling and plenty of global challenges persist, Formnext is poised to write the next chapter in its ongoing success story in 2024. As of late September, 820 companies (61 percent of them from outside of Germany) had already registered for the world’s leading expo and convention for Additive Manufacturing and the next generation of industrial manufacturing, which means Frankfurt will once again be the center of the entire AM universe on 19–22 November. Those interested can still secure tickets through the event’s online shop and take advantage of attractive early-bird rates until 22 October.
Of the exhibitors that have registered so far, 61 percent hail from outside of Germany, with the leading nations including the USA, China, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. The world of AM has made something of a tradition of saving its most important innovations for Formnext, which enables visitors to experience the latest technologies up
close and interact directly with experts and exhibitors. In addition to showcasing their new applications, many of this year’s exhibitors are planning to focus on how manufacturing companies can integrate AM into their production chains more profitably and efficiently.
Formnext Awards, supporting program setting a perfect stage for progress
The supporting program at Formnext 2024 will include both established events and some exciting new additions. Having continually fine-tuned its award show concept over the years, the expo and convention is set to unveil the Formnext Awards as its latest way to put even more of the spotlight on extraordinary talents and their inventive ideas. These awards will be presented across six different categories, including young innovative companies, sustainable business ideas, and pioneering technologies. This year, the entire AM community, in Frankfurt or not, can even get involved in the selection process by casting votes for their preferred winners. Besides checking out all the products and technologies in person at Formnext, they will be able to get an advanced look on the Formnext website starting in mid-October. The voting will be open in all the categories until noon on Thursday, 21 November 2024, and the overall audience vote will be
considered as an additional juror vote.
Meanwhile, Formnext will be continuing its extensive presentation lineup (which is open to all attendees) to foster high-level discussions of the latest subjects. That means current and future applications, technologies, and overarching trends in the AM and production industry will be on the agenda once again in 2024. The key topics of focus on the Application, Industry, and Technology Stages will include artificial intelligence in Additive Manufacturing, medical and dental technology, robotics, automation and many more.
Following its debut last year, the Service Provider Marketplace will also be back to show companies how they can reap the benefits of ground-breaking AM technology even without their own in-house production operations. The corresponding showcase will present innovations from sectors like medical technology, dentistry, and packaging.
In the Start-up Area and during the Pitchnext event, young, innovative companies in the manufacturing industry will be able to present themselves to potential investors and cooperation partners. Those interested in working in the AM industry will also have the chance to check out current job opportunities on Career Day. As in years past, companies looking to enter the industry will find excellent insights and advice at the Discover3Dprinting seminars, which are being held in cooperation with ACAM on each day of the exhibition. ACAM is also partnering with Formnext on four deep-dive seminars on the industrialization of AM, designing for AM, surface finishing, and materials.
Also at Formnext 2024, VDMA’s workgroup on AM will be presenting useful AM applications from the world of mechanical engineering at the Additive4industry showcase in combination with a pavilion of its members. The BE-AM symposium and corresponding showcase will demonstrate advanced developments in 3D Printing in the construction industry, which continues to gain importance. The day before this year’s expo and convention, the AM Innovations and Standards Summit at Formnext will be taking place in cooperation with ASTM International. And finally, the finalists hoping to win the Hessian State Award for Universal Design will be recognized at another special showcase, and the eventual winners will be announced at an award ceremony.