Industry News RAPID + TCT 2021: North America’s Largest Additive Manufacturing Event Celebrates Successful Return to In-Person Events In Chicago On September 13-15 at McCormick Place, SME and the Rapid News Group welcomed the additive manufacturing community back for another successful installment of the industry’s most innovative and influential event, RAPID + TCT 2021. The 30th edition of the three-day event featured the latest in 3D-printing technology from the industry’s leading product and service providers, a full schedule of speakers including three keynote presentations and 11 thoughtleadership panels and much more. SME Executive Director and CEO Robert Willig made the announcement. “RAPID + TCT 2021 was a success on so many levels,” said Willig. “Having met incredible logistical challenges over the last 18 months, our team put in tremendous work to ensure this event would exceed the expectations of exhibitors, sponsors, delegates and attendees. The speakers, educational sessions and products that were on display at RAPID + TCT were of the highest quality you’ll find anywhere in the AM industry. We are thrilled to have welcomed more than 1,000 first-time attendees to the event as we reconvened the community, in-person to kickstart the collaboration and connection on which our industry thrives. We look forward to experiencing the next level of innovation in Detroit in 2022.” RAPID + TCT 2021 drew over 6,000 participants — in-person and virtually through the RAPID + TCT Live Digital Experience—from 49 states and 37 countries. This year’s event signaled a new wave of users with 35% of the audience being new to adopting additive manufacturing technologies.
Caldwell Expands Bystronic Laser Fleet The BySmart cutting system was installed in August alongside a smaller BySpeed unit, as the manufacturer of lifting and rigging equipment continues to invest in state-of-the-art, Swiss-made sheet lasers, tube lasers, and press breaks. Both machines can cut up to 60-in. by 120-in. plate. The existing BySpeed machine can cut up to 3/4-in. and can only work with mild steel, while the newer BySmart can cut up to 1-in. and can also work with stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. The technology starts the manufacturing process for pretty much all of Caldwell’s iconic range. The main operator has five years of relevant experience on the existing cutter, but comprehensive training on the BySmart took place over two weeks. Thaddeus Grzeskowiak, plant manager at Caldwell, said: “This is a major part of our business. When we only had one cutter, when
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it went down or was being maintained, it became a real Achilles heel. Previously, we would cut what we could on the older laser and anything over 3/4-in. would be flame-cut and machined internally.” The pair of Bystronic laser machines play a role in every product the company offers—from its tea-cup concrete pipe carriers to its spreader and lifting beams. They are operated by a single full-time operator and two others that step in from elsewhere on the production line, as demand rises. Programming, meanwhile, is split between manufacturing and engineering divisions—and the operator of the machine in use.
Weiler Abrasives Appoints Pete Hutchinson as Technical Applications Manager “We are pleased to welcome Pete back to Weiler Abrasives,” says Scott White, director of product management. “In addition to his previous tenure as a product application engineer and manager, he is bringing several years of external project and product management to the company. Both will be an asset to Weiler Abrasives and our customers.” In his new role, Hutchinson will focus on technical product support and training, with responsibility for leading both tactical and strategic efforts. His role will involve managing and executing both internal and external training initiatives, along with visiting customers onsite to provide application support. In addition, he will be responsible for developing, curating and continuously improving Weiler Abrasives training content.
Turkish Tool Maker Turcar Wins Both Categories at ANCA’s Fourth Tool of the Year Competition With 37 entries, over 202,480 social impressions and almost 8,500 votes, ANCA’s Tool of the Year was back at EMO Milano 2021 to celebrate the achievements of the global cutting tool industry which is estimated to be worth $34.42 billion. This year’s competition was particularly hot with impressive entrants pushing what was possible by applying exceptional skills to create complex tools that provide meaningful grinding benefits. Turcar, a winner of the virtual tool category in 2020, takes home the #MadeonANCA and Most Innovative Tool categories this year, demonstrating their strength in both expert practical design and manufacturing of a cutting tool, and the imagination and skills to push the ANCA software to design a fighter jet.
