The AM Forum, held annually in Berlin, transcends national boundaries, embracing diverse international themes. This year, around 1,000 attendees, including industry leaders and Fraunhofer researchers, gathered at the conveniently organised Estrel hotel, with booths showcasing firms like Quantica and Trumpf. While predominantly German, the event attracted participants from various countries, fostering a rich exchange of ideas.
Kicking off with a charming 1920s-themed gathering at the historic Adlon Hotel, attendees embraced the nostalgia with period attire. This classy networking event set a delightful tone, encouraging connections in a relaxed environment before the conference kicked off.
The day’s agenda opened with an amusing introduction to the conference app, followed by an engaging icebreaker activity that had everyone mingling and moving about, fostering lively interaction among participants, encouraging them to “stay active.”
A standout feature of the AM Forum is its dedicated focus on collaboration through use case presentations. Often presented as dynamic duos, these talks effectively showcased joint efforts and innovations, bringing an engaging twist to typical conference dialogues.
François Minec from HP was joined by Romain Adamowicz of Something Added, discussing the commercialisation of insoles and small-scale additive manufacturing. They shared insights on meeting the soaring market demand in a rapidly developing sector, highlighting the convergence of creativity and technology.
Next, Ronen Hadar from LEGO discussed integrating additive manufacturing into their production processes. While LEGO predominantly relies on injection moulding, they are exploring direct 3D printing of limited elements to boost efficiency for smaller production runs, revealing their commitment to innovation.
A panel discussion featuring key figures from the European Commission and ASTM International explored the vital role of funding in additive manufacturing. Mans Lindberg highlighted the EU’s growing commitment to support research in this field, signalling a shift towards a more proactive stance in shaping the industry’s future.
Transitioning to transportation, another panel featured experts from public transport systems in Paris and Vienna discussing practical applications of additive technology. Their insights bridged consumer products with extensive transportation needs, underscoring the versatility of additive manufacturing.
Jens Holtmannspoetter from the Bundeswehr shared fascinating insights into military applications, detailing how his team utilised Stratasys printers for producing spare parts in challenging environments, reflecting on the balance between necessity and safety in military operations.
In summary, the AM Forum not only showcased high-calibre speakers and engaging discussions but also presented a comprehensive view of the current and future landscape of additive manufacturing, leaving attendees with invaluable insights and connections for the journey ahead.
The AM Forum 2025 in Berlin attracted around 1,000 participants, including industry leaders and researchers, highlighting international themes in additive manufacturing. Notable presentations included HP’s innovative collaboration on insoles and LEGO’s integration of 3D printing into their production. Discussions emphasized the EU’s role in funding and the practical application of additive technology in various sectors, including military and transportation, making for a well-rounded and insightful event.
The AM Forum 2025 has proven to be a remarkable event that highlights the growing importance of additive manufacturing across various sectors. With insightful discussions and innovative presentations, it showcased both the challenges and the vast potential within this evolving field. The combination of networking opportunities and expert insights made this year’s forum an inspiring experience, cementing its status as a pivotal platform for industry leaders.
Original Source: 3dprint.com
