Event Review - Time Compression Expo, McCormick Place, Chicago, USA

After RAPID 2009 had taken place in May I headed back across the pond in June to take a look at the inaugural Time Compression (TC) Expo which was organized by our friends at Gardner Publications.

Gardner have a strong portfolio of publications and events including Moldmaking Expo, Moldmaking Technology Magazine and of course Time Compression Magazine, the US counterpart to the The TCT Magazine. The acquisition of Time Compression by Gardner in late 2008 was the catalyst for the launch of TC Expo and Gardner chose to co-locate the new show within NPE 2009, one of the worlds largest plastics exhibitions and their own Moldmaking Expo which ensured a decent level of traffic from the get go.

Rather sensibly in the current climate the floorplan was conservative in size for the launch year but was quickly snapped up by all of the usual suspects you might expect to see including 3D Systems, Objet, Stratasys and its legion of brands, EOS, DSM Somos and Ex One. They were joined by some of the major inspection/metrology technology providers and topped off with a healthy spread of US service operations.

Traffic through the TC Expo area was generally agreed to be pretty good, many exhibitors reported that they were meeting new people which with NPE alongside you would expect and this certainly vindicated the decision to co-locate. It is perhaps fair to say that a five day show for these technologies, even in a market as large as the US, is perhaps a bit long but you’ll see by the end of this article than that has already been taken care of for 2010.

Running parallel to the exhibition was a comprehensive conference programme. The keynote opening address was delivered by Todd Grimm of TA Grimm & Associates Inc., I’ve heard Todd speak on a number of occasions and he never fails to deliver. He assumed quite rightly that not all attendees would be clued up on additive techniques and delivered a presentation with a healthy dose of realism for those who had only heard the marcomms briefings of the vendors. It was refreshing to get a balanced view, too often we are told that ALM is the panacea…and too often it clearly is not!

On the show floor there were are few highlights and launches that merit a mention. 3D Systems used the event to announce the introduction of DuraForm® FR 100 Plastic, a new flame-retardant sintering material that meets the requirements of a broad range of aircraft and consumer-product applications.



Kevin McAlea, vice president and general manager commented, "We are very pleased to be the first Additive Manufacturing company to commercially offer V-0 certified, flame-retardant sintering material. This is a true invention in materials’ development for Rapid Manufacturing, meeting required certification for very demanding aerospace and consumer goods applications.” 


Dan Gustafson of NextEngine was demonstrating a new dual axis scanner that is due for release later this year and Delcam were present within the Moldmaking Expo demonstrating previews of new versions of its PowerSHAPE CAD software and its PowerMILL CAM systems, both of which are scheduled for release later this year, they will offer faster mould design and faster machine tool programming respectively.

The faster mould design has been made possible by the incorporation within PowerSHAPE of the Parasolid kernel for solid modelling alongside Delcam’s own system for surface modelling. These two technologies provide an unbeatable combination for toolmakers, according to Delcam’s Marketing Manager, Peter Dickin.

Perhaps the most high profile launch within TC Expo came from Objet Geometries who proudly launched the Connex 350 machine. This is the second in the Connex family that allows users to simultaneously print multiple materials with different mechanical and physical properties. You can read more about the machine here but it is fair to say this machine, which is smaller than it’s big brother, brings this technology within the reach of many more potential users than previously and that can only be a good thing.

Perhaps the most interesting news came as the event drew to a close. This was the announcement of an agreement in principal between Gardner and DEMAT, the organizers of EuroMold, to stage a new event for 2010. Product Development-Experience (PD-x) with amerimold, will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio from May 11 to 13, This event is set to provide product development professionals with the know-how and expertise necessary to accelerate time-to-market with innovative products in the North American market. Watch this space, we’ll keep you updated on this one!