RAPID 2025, insert some type of its the next generation catch phrase.
I have been going to these shows, every single one, since 2017. So, I've seen a lot - I've seen biggest most luxurious booths fade to nonexistence. I was brought to the show as a consultant for a company who I ended up joining.
I didn't get to walk around the show; I was super busy at one of the highest traffic booths. But lets talk about what I saw of interest:
A) Silicone printing in gel was interesting - I like how they're using this for end use products, the future of additive is not working with the "fAMily" and it's good the sewing circle is being broken up.
B) More pellet players than ever - as some know I was one of the easiest parts of a pellet printing team (CI BAAM). Lonnie Love who was with ORNL said there were three applications: Tooling, Tooling, and Tooling. With all of the booths, I saw the same tools we worked on in 2019 and a lot of furniture. I am not a believer in a $150,000 printer with expensive material printing competitive to a couch rigid furniture. The growth in companies does not mean the growth in the market, that has been established.
C) Smaller players finding runway - Lukes lab was at the show, I also see him at Printopia. A company making products for Voron, an open-source printing project. It's interesting to see people who are completely under the "fAMily" radar and finding their runway ideally.
D) Lots of metal, that's not going to change for quite a while.
E) Speaking of Metal, WAAM is coming into specific focus for a low-cost method. If they can control porosity and microstructure, it will be special. ORNL is working on some interesting projects to democratize the technology.
The foot traffic seemed superior to Los Angeles last year. By Far. Maybe an economic sign maybe a stay in the center of the country sign.
