7 Technologies to Watch Out for at the TCT Show 2019

The TCT Show 2019, taking place from 24 to 26 of September, is just around the corner.  By far the largest gathering of 3D printing companies and professionals in the UK, TCT Show continues to grow in both size and reputation, and it remains one of the must-attend events on the additive manufacturing calendar. 
 
This year’s TCT Show will host over 10,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors. To help you better navigate the trade show, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 technologies worth seeing at this year’s event:
 

1. Photocentric’s 3D-printed motorbike and award-winning desktop 3D printer

 
Photocentric is a UK-based company with more than a decade of experience in manufacturing resin materials. In 2016, Photocentric stepped into the 3D printing world with a resin-based Liquid Crystal 10″ 3D printer, which uses Photocentric’s proprietary Daylight Polymer Printing technology. Since then, the company has launched seven 3D printers, with plans for more in the pipeline. 
 
What’s new: This summer, Photocentric released one of the largest 3D printers in its portfolio — the Liquid Crystal Magna 3D printer. To showcase its capabilities, the company launched its Motorbike Project, where an entire motorbike has been 3D printed using Photocentric’s LC Magna and LC Maximus 3D printers. 
 
The finished bike will be revealed at TCT, and will demonstrate the ability of Photocentric’s 3D printers to create a range of functional and intricate parts. 
 
In addition to a 3D-printed bike, Photocentric’s stand will also spotlight the LC Precision 1.5 3D printer, which won this year’s 3D Printing Industry Award as the best desktop non-FFF printer. 
 

2. Zortrax’s 3D printer launch 

 
Founded in 2013, Zortrax is a Polish manufacturer of desktop 3D printers. At this year’s TCT Show, Zortrax will showcase its full range of 3D printers, materials and post-processing devices, in addition to launching a brand new 3D printer. 
 
What’s new: Zortraxt will unveil a new FDM 3D printer for the first time at TCT. This follows the launch of its first dual-extrusion M300 Dual desktop 3D printing system a few months ago. 
 
For now, only a few details are available about the machine: it will be a dual-extrusion 3D printer with a heated printing chamber, multiple filament sensors, advanced thermal management and compatibility with high-performance polymers like PEEK. Such features indicate that the 3D printer is targeting industrial applications. 
 
The new system could well be an upgraded version of the M300 Dual system. However, Zortrax promises that it will be “something entirely new”. In either case, Zortrax’s new offering will be something to keep an eye on.
 

3. Ntopology’s new nTop generative design software 

 
New York-based nTopology provides advanced software solutions to enable the production of lightweight and optimised 3D-printed parts.
 
nTopology’s software, nTop Platform, comprises a range of tools, including print preparation, simulation and topology optimisation. This combination is said to allow engineers to leverage complex geometries, quickly iterate on designs and automate common modelling operations.
 
What’s new: Earlier this year, nTopology introduced its latest generative design solution, the nTop Platform. This software targets the entire engineering workflow, enabling users to create lighter, higher-performing parts with functional requirements built right in. 
 
One of the most exciting features of the nTop Platform is the ability to prepare a design for printing without using STL files. This can significantly simplify the design to manufacturing workflow by simplifying the transfer between the software and other CAD programmes.
 
At the TCT show, nTopology will debut the nTop Platform, alongside 3D-printed products created using the software.
 

4. OxMet Technologies’ new 3D printing alloys 

 
With the demand for new metal powders optimised for metal 3D printing is increasing, one company helping to meet the demand is OxMet Technologies.  
 
OxMet uses its proprietary “Alloys by Design” software platform to develop new alloys and alloy powders for a wide range of industrial, medical and consumer 3D printing applications. OxMet’s Alloys by Design approach uses large-scale computational calculations to search compositional ranges and find optimal solutions for each alloy. 
 
What’s new: Shortlisted for this year’s TCT Materials Award, OxMet will introduce a range of high-performance nickel, titanium and aluminium alloys for additive manufacturing. 
 
OxMet’s AM program manager, Andre Nemeth, will be presenting at the TCT Introducing Stage, revealing the development rationale and process behind OxMet’s alloys production.
 

5. New materials from 3D Systems

 
At TCT Show 2019, 3D Systems plans to showcase its latest suite of additive manufacturing solutions for plastics and metals. 
 
What’s new: 3D Systems plans to introduce five new materials for its Figure 4 3D printing platform at TCT. New resins, available from October 1, will almost double the current Figure 4 material portfolio, which already comprises seven resins.  
 
Furthermore, 3D Systems will be exhibiting the Figure 4 platform, first introduced in 2017, highlighting several applications produced with resins that are currently available. In addition to plastic solutions, visitors will have a chance to see a range of metal parts 3D printed for the aerospace and healthcare industries. 
 

6. Renishaw’s metal 3D printing applications  

 
UK-based Renishaw is an engineering company that specialises in metrology and metal 3D printing. This year, Renishaw will be demonstrating new applications made possible thanks to its 3D printers. 
 
What’s new: Renishaw will showcase how its laser-based AM technology helped fluid power systems manufacturer, Domin, create smaller, cheaper and more efficient direct drive valves. Renishaw’s stand will also feature the BR-XX race car produced for Formula Student, which includes a custom 3D-printed manifold.
 
Interestingly, Ben Farmer, Co-Founder of Atherton Bikes, will discuss the use of Renishaw’s metal AM technology to build its bike frame components at the TCT Summit. The talk will explain how AM is expanding customer choice and accelerating innovation in the bicycle industry thanks to a rapid pace of development afforded by AM. 
 

7. Laser Lines to showcase Xact Metal’s compact XM200C metal 3D printer

 
Laser Lines is a UK-based provider of Polyjet, FDM, SLA and metal 3D printers. At this year’s TCT Show, Laser Lines will debut Xact Metal’s 3D printing technology. 
 
What’s new: US-based Xact Metal was founded with the goal of making expensive metal laser-based AM technology more accessible. 
 
The company has been able to develop compact metal 3D printers with a price point ranging between $90,000 and $175,000. For reference, the cost of a typical metal 3D printer can range between $500,000 and several million dollars. 
 
At Laser Lines’ stand, visitors will be able to get a first look at the Xact Metal XM200C metal 3D printer. Priced at $80,000, the machine is aimed at universities and small to medium businesses for small part prototyping, casting and tooling applications. 
 
For visitors looking for more metal 3D printers, Laser Lines will also be exhibiting Desktop Metal’s office-friendly Studio System and discussing the latest updates from Additive Industries’ MetalFAB1 system.
 

Meet AMFG at TCT 2019

 
This year, the AMFG team will return to the TCT Show, where we’ll be showcasing our workflow automation solutions for AM. If you’re visiting this year, we’d love to meet you — join us at Stand A68 or book a meeting with our team to find out how our workflow solutions can help your business. 
 
In addition to exhibiting, AMFG’s VP of Sales, Nico Bruel, will be presenting Scaling Additive Manufacturing with AI, Big Data and Workflow Software on the TCT Introducing Stage. Be sure to stop by to learn how digital technologies are transforming manufacturing and how companies can scale their AM operations effectively. (TCT Introducing Stage, Wednesday 25 September 2019, 12.40 pm – 1 pm). 
 
We look forward to meeting you there!