Day: June 12, 2024

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!