It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the February issue of Smart Manufacturing and reintroduce our Voices AMplified initiative for 2023.
In fact, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to everyone in the greater additive manufacturing (AM) community as we embark on what promises to be an exciting year. It will certainly be an eventful one—literally. SME has a busy schedule planned for 2023 with 11 industry-leading events across North America, starting with this month’s HOUSTEX show (Feb. 21-23) in Houston, as part of our successful MT Series.
While AM will be well represented at all the shows, the technology is front and center at RAPID + TCT (May 2-4 in Chicago), which is North America’s largest and most influential additive manufacturing event. Attendees can see the latest technologies, hear insightful presentations, experience hands-on demonstrations, and discover solutions at more than 400 exhibits.
But the real purpose and benefit of RAPID + TCT—and all SME events—is much more important and aspirational: We’re focused on building communities. As the manufacturing industry’s leading voice for advancement and opportunity, SME’s mission is to provide its members and manufacturers with valuable tools to foster growth, introduce and share ideas, create enriching experiences, and connect all of us in a collaborative ecosystem. This means that events must go well beyond calendar dates and physical gatherings. In addition to providing new information, these events bring audiences together and create lasting community experiences that participants can share.
While in-person gatherings are a critical resource—and will continue to be for the foreseeable future—attendees increasingly want and expect digital experiences too, either integrated into a hybrid conference or as stand-alone events. Such tools help keep the community engaged throughout the year and allow for even more partnering opportunities.
The community benefits of events (for in-person and remote participants) are clear. Among last year’s RAPID + TCT attendees, for example, 85 percent came to the event to network with other professional and 72 percent planned to share learned information with colleagues afterwards.
SME’s Voices AMplified initiative, which was launched in early 2022, is also designed to be a shared experience, supporting and highlighting the AM community. In this issue, we profile Melanie Lang and Brad Keselowski. Melanie caught the AM bug in 2010, experimenting at first with her own printer just for fun, and now champions the technology (including innovative DED systems) as CEO of FormAlloy, as well as industry-leading organizations such as America Makes and Women in 3D Printing.
While Brad needs no introduction—his NASCAR racing success speaks for itself—Brad’s manufacturing business also is creating a buzz in the AM community. Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing is speeding ahead with innovative applications in aerospace and defense, marine, and telecommunications, as well as on the racetrack.
I hope you enjoy this issue, and I look forward to meeting you at an upcoming event.
