Formnext 2021 marks successful return as in-person event
November 23, 2021
Formnext has welcomed back the international Additive Manufacturing community to an in-person event, building on the successes of the previous six years, including last year’s exclusively virtual event. Held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from November 16-19, 2021, the exhibition showcased solutions to urgent future issues, such as decentralised production, secure process chains, efficiency, and sustainability.
Attendees were said to have relished the opportunity to finally meet in person once again. The event followed safety guidance, meaning that only those fully vaccinated against, or recovered from COVID-19, were allowed to attend. Even with this stipulation, the event reported high numbers, with more than 600 exhibitors from thirty-six countries and 17,859 visitors from seventy-six countries throughout the 30,000 m2 exhibition grounds.
“Formnext has once again shown itself to be the highlight of the year for the AM industry,” commented Sascha F Wenzler, Formnext VP and Organiser, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “After the significant challenges we faced last year, this year both the number of exhibitors and visitors in attendance surpassed our expectations. It has shown once again just how important Formnext and face-to-face meetings are for this innovative industry, which develops technologies at a rapid pace and is keen to share these with investors, partners, and customers. It was clear that Formnext had been eagerly awaited by the entire industry.”
Companies such as 3D Systems, Additive Industries, AddUp, Arburg, BigRep, DMG Mori, EOS, Desktop Metal, ExOne, Farsoon, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, GE Additive, HP, Incus, Keyence, Markforged, Materialise, Renishaw, Ricoh, Siemens, Sigma Labs, Sisma, Stratasys, Trumpf, Voxeljet, XJet and others more demonstrated metal AM technologies, showcasing advanced solutions. Established companies such as BASF, Hexagon, Höganäs, Sandvik, and startups alike presented a series of world premieres throughout the entire process chain, from manufacturing technologies through to materials, software, and post-processing solutions.
On the day before Formnext, over 120 participants attended the first ASTM Standards Forum, supported by the USCS, ISO and Formnext. This successful launch underlines the importance of transatlantic efforts to create joint standards. The Standards Forum is expected to be held again in 2022.
“We prepared our solution for two years. Formnext was the place to launch it,” added Pete Hansford, Business Development Director, Wayland Additive. “We continuously had visitors at our booth who came with a real purpose and application in mind. Formnext is the right to place to show and discuss technology and commercialise it.”
For those unable to attend Formnext due to travel restrictions, Formnext Digital Days will take place November 30-December 1, 2021. In addition to networking opportunities, attendees can expect a full programme including live keynotes, panel discussions, and interviews.
“After four successful days at Formnext 2021 in Frankfurt, we are really looking forward to extend the trade fair and getting in touch with our customers also digitally within the Formnext Digital Days this year,” stated Damien Buchbinder, Head of Product Management Additive Manufacturing at Trumpf.
Markus Glasser, SVP EMEA at EOS, commented, “Formnext 2021 was a great success for EOS, and we very much welcome the opportunity to extend this important opportunity for industry exchange further through Formnext Digital Days. Formnext Digital Days give both us, the exhibitors, and visitors the opportunity to explore the content presented in greater depth and focus on additional areas.”
Next year’s Formnext is scheduled to take place in Frankfurt am Main from November 15-18, 2022.
