Experience Additive Manufacturing at Moulding Expo

For many years now generative technologies have been used in industry in many areas, from the initial design to the finished product. But there are many more possible applications. Moulding Expo 2017 wants to demonstrate the synergies between the new and established processing methods. Representatives from the classic industry and the new, up-and-coming scene of additive manufacturing and 3D printing come together there – extensive experience meets incredible innovation.

In addition to the general topics relating to 3D technology and additive manufacturing, Moulding Expo offers enough space to provide information about very specific solutions in this area. Florian Schmitz, Project Manager of Moulding Expo: "The exhibiting companies showcase all conceivable applications, from classic prototyping to the development of close-contour cooling mould inserts through to the production of stamping and cutting tools or rapid tooling." The 3D topic - also including training - is portrayed extensively at Moulding Expo.

The proximity to national and international toolmaking is the decisive factor for companies of 3D printing at Moulding Expo. Jürgen Groß, Sales Manager at alphacam GmbH, was also here two years ago at the début event. "We print plastic mould inserts with which patterns and small series can then be injected. This is of course the innovative topic per se for tool, pattern and mould making, and for us Moulding Expo is therefore the right place to present these new high-tech applications", adds Groß. In addition, alphacam wants to use the trade fair to showcase the range of services for its latest systems.

At Moulding Expo Visiotech GmbH presents innovations in the area of prototyping and rapid manufacturing. With a secret highlight Visiotech wants to ensure an element of surprise at the trade fair. The company with 15 employees wants to present cross-industry complete concepts. President Mike Fischer-Arens: "The core of Moulding Expo is tool construction and mould making. Nevertheless we are assuming that, similar to the première event in 2015, the automotive industry will be strongly represented among the visitors. And this is also of course interesting for us, especially when it comes to pattern making and rapid manufacturing. We are already looking forward to the trade fair."

Berthold Hermle AG is also on-board for the second time at Moulding Expo.

"For us this trade fair with its high number of professional visitors is a must-attend event in the trade fair calendar", states Udo Hipp. "We immediately registered for the next event following the première in 2015. Moulding Expo has become a premium exhibition for tool, pattern and mould making and surrounding fields", explains the Hermle Marketing Manager. And generative processes are also becoming increasingly popular at Moulding Expo. Hermle made a name for itself with high-quality and differentiated machining centres, which will also take centre stage at this year's trade fair. Parallel to this the company also developed a metal powder application process for industry purposes. "Versatile technology for the additive manufacturing of large-scale metal components", is how Hipp explains the topic of additive manufacturing, "it is about what we can manufacture according to order with our machines." Hermle presents copper-steel combinations for components made by additive manufacturing as a trade fair innovation. "We will also show how heating elements or other semi-finished products can be integrated in components, by simply overmoulding with metal particles in the application process", states Hipp.

VMR GmbH & Co. KG will also be at Moulding Expo for the second time: "The contacts in 2015 were excellent, because the trade fair concept is clearly concentrated on tool, pattern and mould making and their peripheral industries and is focussed on addressing these topics", states VMR President Thomas Viebrans. "Moulding Expo is ideal for us as a platform with its proximity to tool making and its high-end applications. Here we can show what we can do. The MEX première brought us some new customers and orders." For Viebrans it is very important to overcome the fear held among trade fair visitors with regard to the topic of 3D and additive manufacturing, which, in his view, is still sometimes intense. VMR wants to provide users with in-depth knowledge about its products and make them aware of this area. According to Viebrans, one machine on its own is not enough. The before and after must also be operated efficiently in order to be able to offer real added value to the toolmaker profession. The best example here is the topics lightweight construction and bionics in conjunction with laser melting in tool construction. "When one can achieve this as a tool maker, there's nothing standing in the way of part production, for example for the mechanical engineering sector. 3D is mirrored in all areas of industry" states Viebrans.

Moulding Expo – International Trade Fair for Tool, Pattern and Mould Making

The focal points of Moulding Expo are tool, pattern and mould making with injection moulding, die-cast moulding, casting, stamping and forming tools, as well as various pattern-making and prototyping methods. Components and accessories, machine tools, processing tools, measuring technology and special machines, software, and systems and services for tool, pattern and mould making round off the scope of the trade fair. Specialist forums and special exhibitions complement the varied programme. 620 exhibitors and around 14,000 trade visitors came to Stuttgart for the première in 2015. Messe Stuttgart is the organiser of Moulding Expo and is supported by the German Association of Pattern and Mould Making (MF), the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), the German Association of Tool and Mould Manufacturers (VDWF), the German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW) and the International Special Tooling & Machining Association (ISTMA).

The next Moulding Expo will take place from 30 May to 2 June 2017.

www.moulding-expo.de