The Formnext 2018 exhibition set new records at several levels and contributed to the dynamics of the entire industry with numerous world premieres. The leading international exhibition for additive manufacturing and cutting-edge industrial production set an impressive new record in terms of visitor numbers. 26,919 specialists and managers attended Formnext on 13 – 16 November 2018 in Frankfurt am Main, surpassing the already strong figures for the previous year – this time by 25 percent.
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For four days, Formnext 2018 served as a guiding light for modern production technology and additive manufacturing around the world. The Formnext 2018 exhibition set another record in terms of exhibitor numbers, with a total of 632 exhibitors from 32 countries. Visitors were able to discover solutions and inspirational ideas along the entire process chain that they could use to make their own production more efficient. Besides a wide range of forward-looking innovations, Formnext 2018 also showed how additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are increasingly merging to generate intelligent, automated production processes.
Companies such as 3D Systems, Arburg, BigRep, EOS, HP, Multec, OR Laser, Stratasys, Trumpf, and Voxeljet presented numerous world premieres along the complete process chain.
Formnext shows cutting-edge manufacturing industries
“Formnext has undergone exceptional development,” states Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President for Formnext at event organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt. “With its unparalleled level of innovation, the event provided a vibrant trade fair experience for everyone involved. In the context of an extremely dynamic sector, Formnext provides a roadmap for the evolution of cutting-edge manufacturing industries.”
Visitors were also impressed by the high quality of the innovations and exhibits.
“The show continues to be the benchmark for AM events. With regards to networks and technology it is globally leading”, commented Simon Marriott, Company Director at imcrc in Australia.
Innovation and business relevance
As well as being packed with innovations, Formnext is also an important business platform. The countless business deals and machine sales concluded at the exhibition drive the evolution of the entire industry. The event also provides up-and-coming companies with an opportunity to meet important investment and business partners. And with its extensive program of supporting events, Formnext is also the place to be for newcomers.
Individual companies from all sectors of the manufacturing industry learn how to harness the potential offered by additive manufacturing. At the transatlantic “AM Standards Forum” organized for the first time in conjunction with the U.S. Commercial Service, experts from Europe and the United States discussed international developments in production standards.
During the international “TCT conference @ Formnext”, around 850 experts from the world of AM exchanged their current experiences and knowledge.
An impressive international presence
Drawing 49 percent of its audience from outside Germany, Formnext 2018 solidified its status as the leading international trade fair for additive manufacturing and modern industrial production. The variety on offer at Formnext attracted specialists and managers from numerous world-renowned companies. These included representatives from leading OEMs and suppliers in the sectors of aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, medicine technology, dental industry, mechanical engineering and the building and architectural sector.
Exhibitors praised the high level of visitor traffic and the remarkable quality of the discussions:
As Ilaria Guiccardini, Marketing Director Roboze (IT) noted: “Formnext and the industry have developed. This year, we had both more and better qualified visitors. People know already our products and ask for concrete solutions. At Formnext, we touch the future of industrial manufacturing.”
“Every year, Formnext is getting better than the year before. It is the place to be,” enthused Rick Fulop, CEO and Co-Founder of Desktop Metal (USA).
Looking ahead to 2019: New halls and USA as partner country
Next year’s Formnext on 19 – 22 November 2019 will be held in Halls 11 and 12 at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds for the first time. In another first, a guest country – the United States – will be showcased at Formnext 2019. The USA has a long tradition in the area of additive manufacturing and is one of the most important exhibitor nations. The extremely active start-up scene there has produced a series of worldwide young companies that have enjoyed international success in recent years. “The USA is one of the world’s leading suppliers and users of additive manufacturing technology – a fact that we took into consideration when choosing our guest country,” states Sascha F. Wenzler. An extensive promotional program and various country specials, among other things, are in the pipeline.
Formnext 2018 in figures:
| Exhibition space | 37,231 square meters |
| Exhibitors | 632 |
| Visitors | 26,919 |
| Conference participants | 849 (booked day passes) |
