Interview with Martin Neff
Martin Neff is head of global sales for ARBUGadditive and has been a member of the rapid.tech 3D advisory board for two years. This year, he is involved in four different roles: as co-organizer of the "Innovations in AM" forum and the "Expert Tables" format, as a speaker and as an exhibitor.
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Mr. Neff, what motivates you to be involved?
My motivation is to shine a light on the diverse possibilities of additive manufacturing. rapid.tech 3D offers an excellent platform for this. This is where the additive world meets to learn from and with each other. High-profile speakers share their expertise and shed light on challenges and solutions from the perspectives of various industries and different areas of the additive process chain. This exchange within a strong network contributes to advancing additive manufacturing.
After the topic of medicine and 3D printing has been somewhat pushed into the background in recent years, it is once again more prominent on the program this year. What are the reasons for this, and what exactly is it about?
Additive manufacturing is predestined for medical applications because it can effectively exploit its advantages for individual implants or small series production and offers solutions to many medical problems. In the "Innovations in AM" forum, we will present various current use cases. AM experts from Siemens Healthineers, Evonik, 3D Systems, and KLS Martin will present examples of the successful use of patient-specific 3D-printed cranial and spinal implants made of PEEK plastics, among others.
AM topics in medical technology are also on the agenda at the expert tables in the exhibition hall. Here, visitors can discuss topics such as AM in the dental and orthopedic fields, as well as regulatory issues related to 3D printing in medicine, in a small group with experts.
You will be presenting a completely different topic at the VDMA Am4industry forum. What will you be discussing there?
As a member of the ARBURG family, a leading global machine manufacturer for plastics processing, I will use a practical example to demonstrate how 3D printing and automated injection molding processes complement each other perfectly. We have developed an innovative additive multi-material gripper solution for a customer. By printing different materials in one process, the grippers become lighter. Functions can also be integrated so that the removal process for injection-molded parts can be handled more efficiently and gently.
In addition to the conference activities, ARBURGadditive will once again be exhibiting at rapid.tech 3D. What will you be showing in Erfurt?
We will be presenting our broad portfolio for industrial 3D printing based on plastic granules, filaments, and liquid silicone. With our diverse range of processes, materials, and applications, we have a suitable solution for a wide variety of additive manufacturing requirements and can produce sophisticated functional components for industries such as medical technology, electronics, mobility, and aerospace. Erfurt is a good place for us. We always generate good leads here.
