Month: June 2024

The MGA network brings together companies from all over the world (and mostly Europe), and one of our goals is to promote collaborations while pursuing valuable projects for our members and the industry.

Let’s recap some of the highlights of our most recent trips across Europe:

EUROPEAN LIGHTWEIGHTING NETWORK – Liege, Belgium

At the end of May, we joined the yearly European Lightweighting Network (ELN) meeting, organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and six European ministries of economics. This event gathers representatives from ministries, the EU Commission, and committed associations and companies to focus on European initiatives, political guidelines, and funding programs. MGA had the  honour of speaking on stage to present our network. We also learned about the launch of a Europe-wide EUREKA funding program. One key takeaway has been the reminder of potential of Additive Manufacturing in providing a sustainable, resource-efficient, and lighter production. For example, AM in construction can save up to 94% of weight and material, as demonstrated by our member of the Advisory Board,/Sonja Rasch, from Materialise, resulting in reduced emissions and resource use, contributing significantly to sustainability.

METAL 3D – Budapest, Hungary

Our Managing Director, Stefanie Brickwede, attended the second TechTra (our newest MGA member) meeting on Metal 3D printing in Budapest, Hungary in mid-June. The future of metal additive manufacturing looks promising, thanks to collaborations with companies like RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, AMEXCI, EOS, Saab, and Knorr-Bremse AG. The focus was on exploring the potential of DED processes in metal, including a presentation by Oskar Viklund from Saab about their battle damage repair experience during the AM Village organized by the European Defense Agency. MGA is also supporting the creation of a 3D printing hub with the Hungarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. It’s exciting to see the German railway supplier Knorr-Bremse AG establish successful metal AM production in Budapest.

MEDTECLIVE – Stuttgart, Germany

Additionally, our medical team attended MedtecLIVE 2024 in Stuttgart, where we had the privilege of presenting the work of our network on stage. Shiden Yohannes from our member Formlabs showcased the possibilities of medical 3D printing with creative examples from across Europe. In the discussions that followed, we were impressed by the dedication of those driving AM forward. It was also a pleasure to connect with both new faces and long-time members over a drink. Staying connected and up to date with the latest developments in the fast-moving AM industry is one of our core missions, and MedtecLIVE 2024 was a valuable platform for this. Thanks for having us! We look forward to diving deeper into Medical AM at our EHFAM event in Basel on September 6 – 7, 2024.

RAILIABILITY Working Group Meeting – Paris, France

In addition to our monthly virtual exchanges, we held our biannual face-to-face RAILiability working group meeting this June in Paris at the SNCF. Our 7 European railway providers discussed the use of metal binder jetting in the rail sector, standardized calculation bases and ecological sustainability factors for Deutsche Bahn’s printed parts, and a color standard for printed tooling applications. We also explored new applications like an emergency stop button in the driver’s cab and innovative uses such as Wabtec Corporation’s printed train door. The diverse range of technologies, materials, and applications in the railway sector were highlighted, with more countries like the Netherlands integrating additive manufacturing into new train tenders. We are already looking forward to the next physical meeting, during Formnext – Where ideas take shape in Frankfurt and of course during the Annual Meeting of our network on October 8 – 9 in Berlin!

We are pleased to announce the successor to the AM Medical Days in Berlin: the European Healthcare Forum for Additive Manufacturing (EHFAM) together with the Symposium on 3D Printing for Life Sciences (3dp Basel). The event is organised by MGA in cooperation with the University Hospital Basel and the FHNW Muttenz and will continue to promote and strengthen the dialogue in the field of medical additive manufacturing.

 

Event Details:

• Dates: September 6th and 7th, 2024
• Location: FHNW-Campus Muttenz, Basel, Switzerland

 

Registration and Additional Information:

For the registration please visit ehfam.eu!

 

Sponsoring & Partnerships:

We offer exciting sponsoring and partnership opportunities designed to boost visibility and engagement within the industry. We’re also happy to discuss customized solutions tailored to specific needs.

For any questions or requests, contact us at info@ehfam.eu or reach out to our colleagues Naomi Nathan and Sophie Poser.

 

About the event:

Additive Manufacturing has transformed various sectors, notably healthcare, by enabling the production of customised products and rapid innovation in medical devices, prosthetics, and bio-printed tissues. However, integrating AM into European healthcare faces challenges due to evolving regulations and the need for standardised policies to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality.

Europe leads in adopting regulatory measures for emerging technologies, but AM’s rapid advancement requires ongoing dialogue and regulatory adaptation. The 3dp Basel and EHFAM aim to facilitate crucial discussions on integrating AM technologies into European healthcare. The event will serve as a critical platform for key stakeholders to collaborate and navigate the complexities of integrating AM into mainstream healthcare practices and will:

• Address regulatory challenges and drive innovation
• Showcase practical applications and real-world impacts of AM
• Establish standards for safety and efficacy
• Strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies

 

The Symposium on 3D Printing for Life Sciences (3dp Basel) will focus on bioprinting, the medical device industry, 3D printing at the point of care in hospitals, and a pitching contest for 3D printing in life sciences. The European Healthcare Forum for AM (EHFAM) will examine the potential for synergistic approaches, practice, and policy. It will also address pricing, reimbursement, and quality assurance strategies, as well as practical applications and the impacts on public healthcare systems. In addition, it will promote innovation and collaboration in line with EU health policies and enhance patient involvement through education and awareness.

We look forward to welcoming you to Switzerland this September!

 

MGA participated in the AM village in Tournai, Belgium, organised by the European Defence Agency. This provided an ideal opportunity to gain insights into 3D printing applications within the armed forces, understand individual needs, and explore recent trends in additive manufacturing. It has been an extremely positive and inspiring experience, especially for the new approach focused on the spread of knowledge and ideas between people and nations.

The workshops and demonstrations demonstrated the impact of AM technology on military logistics and repairs, offering deployable solutions tailored to specific missions. It was enlightening to observe the latest advancements and practical applications of AM in real-world military scenarios. Every technique and approach was valuable, particularly the diverse methods from different nations, including a live-printed concrete shelter dedicated to the Forces’ protection, by Constructions-3D.

Sven had the opportunity to present at the AM Village Workshop alongside our member, WiWeb from the Bundeswehr, and the EWF (European Welding Foundation), Idonial and DTI. The session focused on qualifying the AM workforce, with a particular emphasis on fostering a strong foundation in AM knowledge and skills development. Discussions included our educational catalog, the Bundeswehr’s training approach, and how industrial training programs can be adapted to military requirements. Furthermore, we had a productive conversation about integrating these aspects into the Bundeswehr’s workforce development strategy.

As Mobility Goes Additive, we were encouraged to see so many of our members actively participating and contributing to the discussions. The visit by the Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder underlined the high importance of this event, and we were pleased with Belgium as the host nation for such precise organisation, as well as with Martin Huber for organising this one-of-a-kind event. The AM Village demonstrated the value of connections and collaborative opportunities, emphasising the importance of industry and military cooperation.

We look forward to future collaborations and advancements in this exciting field! Please do not hesitate to contact Sven to learn more about the topic.

We had an incredible time at the 20th anniversary of Rapid.Tech + FabCon 3D in Erfurt, the future-oriented pioneering event of the AM scene! It was the perfect place to discover new innovative solutions and celebrate industry advancements.

First of all, on May 14th we celebrated the 9th edition of the 3D Pioneers Challenge award ceremony, a competition that brings together the sharpest minds and most creative solutions in additive manufacturing, across various categories. Every year, it becomes more global and diverse, and this year was no exception! Moreover, it was an honor for MGA to be part of the jury. Stefanie Brickwede and Naomi Nathan not only contributed to the selection of the winners, but also to the presentation of the awards in the Medical Technology and Machinery categories. We would like to give a big shoutout to all participants for their amazing ideas, huge congratulations to this year’s winners, as well as a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s edition!

The excitement didn’t stop there. On May 15th, we joined the European AM Platform Meeting, where our managing director, Stefanie Brickwede, had the opportunity to present our network on stage. The AM-platform serves as a free virtual hub for all topics related to Additive Manufacturing in Central Europe. The objective is to foster a cohesive strategy, understanding, and utilization of AM technologies. By aligning with the Lisbon and Gothenburg objectives set by the European Commission, the aim is to drive the AM industry towards becoming the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy by 2030 while also promoting sustainability.

Overall, it was a great opportunity to attend exciting presentations and exhibitions, and to connect with industry experts, exchange knowledge, and contribute to the future of 3D printing. We are already looking forward to next year’s edition that will take place from 13 to 15 May 2025!

We are happy to announce that we are now renting out our IAM HUB Berlin – a comfortable coworking space dedicated to Additive Manufacturing (AM) located in the historic Marienpark!

Berlin boasts many office spaces, but if you want to immerse yourself in the heart of AM activities, our IAM HUB is the perfect spot. Designed to inspire and foster innovation, it offers a unique setting where you can develop products and projects alongside like-minded professionals.
What sets our IAM HUB apart is the diverse and extensive exhibition within the office. Featuring 3D printed parts from various industries and produced using cutting-edge technologies and materials, our office showcases the latest advancements in AM. At MGA, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovation, and we are confident that the IAM HUB will provide the necessary atmosphere for creativity and inspiration.

What You Can Expect at the IAM HUB:

💻 10 coworking desks equipped with state-of-the-art monitors and power outlets
🗣️ Meeting rooms accommodating up to 8 people
☕ Cozy lounge and lunch areas
🚰 Amenities including water, coffee, and tea
🍳 A fully equipped kitchen
🌐 Proximity to and close cooperation with the extensive MGA network
🖨️ Access to various printers
🖼️ Exhibition of 3D printed use cases

The IAM HUB Berlin is more than just a coworking space; it’s a community. By joining us, you’ll be at the centre of a network dedicated to advancing AM technologies. The collaborative environment and access to a wealth of resources will empower you to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the AM field.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a vibrant community at the forefront of additive manufacturing. Contact us today to learn more and to secure your spot at the IAM HUB Berlin. Let’s boost Additive Manufacturing together!