Materialise Deliver the Latest from the RP&M World

So where do you go if you want to get the low down on all the latest RP&M technologies, and TCT Live isn't until October? Well you could have attended the Materialise organised event that took place today at the splendidly shiny and new International Digital Lab on the Warwick University Campus.

All of the major RP&M platform manufacturers had an opportunity to showcase their latest developments and by the look of the audience which included F1 Teams, FMCG giants and several service bureau the thirst for this knowledge needed quenching.

First up was 3D Systems with newly installed UK Manager Simon van der Crommert, as he rightly pointed out 25 minutes to cover the breadth of 3D's range is not really doing it justice but amongst the incremental developments across the ranges I did spot a the new ProJet 5000 with it's extended build platform which will be online this year along with the full launch (not announcement!) of the V-Flash, Simon did point out that the V-Flash is already online in hearing aid manufacture which should put the "vaporware" jibes to bed once and for all. A replacement technology for the Thermojet is also just around the corner.

Stuart Jackson of EOS updated us all on the ever improving EOS range, all EOS systems are continually being upgraded in terms of speed and the materials they can use and the clever bit is that if you own a P385, then it can be upgraded to a P390, so no issues with being gazumped by the next new piece of kit, assuming you have the need and the finance you can always have the latest version. Aside from a couple of new polymers, one akin to rubber, another with high ductility EOS have the new P800 machine designed to use PEEK high performance polymer which although launched at Euromold is still big news.

What else was on show? Well I got to have a look at the Dimension UPrint from Laser Lines, it looks as good up close as it does in the pictures, and apparently they are selling well already, no real surprise there, it's a good price and trusted technology...where's the downside?

MTT also presented the imminent arrival of the SLM125, full launch is a cautious 3 monthsaway with a SLM500 also in development, no date on a launch for this yet but with a build envelope of 500 x 500 x 500 there are sure to plenty of interested parties. HK Technologies had the very cool Alaris from Objet onsite, it's vying with the UPrint for belle of the office...I'm not sure that should matter but you don't want ugly in the your new, modern, metropolitan design studio do you?

Other honorable mentions go to the rather clever online quality control system on the Concept Laser machines which allows you to monitor everything from build speed to beam width from the comfort of your armchair at home and Envisiontec were excited but coy about something new, you might have to go to Basel next week to get that first hand, I have been assured that TCT will be able to break the news so make sure you add this feed to your RSS reader and you'll know before anyone else!

Huge thanks to the Materialise crew, Luke and Carl in particular, top effort chaps!