Interview with Michael Eichmann

Mr. Eichmann, what can visitors look forward to in 2025?

We have once again been able to attract leading AM experts from many industries to the congress. The keynote speeches are sure to be highlights, including those by Pat Warner from BWT Alpine F1 Team, Dr. Karl-Heinz Dusel from MTU Aero Engines and Max Schaukellis from Roland Berger. There were also eight strong user forums and the quality-tested AM Science Forum. The Technical Deep Dives, which were held for the first time last year and at which exhibitors presented user solutions briefly and compactly, were very successful. We are continuing this format as well as the Expert Tables and other activities directly in the exhibition hall. In this way, we are creating an even stronger link between the congress and the exhibition.

What trends are reflected in the program?

We are seeing increased interest in AM applications for the military sector. That's why this topic is explicitly on the agenda, with experts from Rheinmetall, Diehl and Airbus, among others. There is also demand for 3D printing solutions in the energy and electrical engineering sectors. The new Energy & Hydrogen and Electronics & Components forums will provide impetus in this area. The latest AM applications and developments will also be presented from the aerospace, mobility, medical, software, AI and design sectors. VDMA Additive Manufacturing and DECHEMA are also continuing their partnership with rapid.tech 3D and will provide input on the topics of AM and robotics as well as chemistry and process engineering.

What motivates you to get involved with rapid.tech 3D year after year?

Together with the advisory board and the trade fair team, we have built up an AM event that has held its own for longer than any other in Germany, that offers great content and that always receives top ratings from visitors for its quality. That motivates me anew every year.

What do you wish for rapid.tech 3D?

That even more new participants discover the event for themselves. We have a good regular audience. They wouldn't come to Erfurt year after year if it wasn't worthwhile. The specialist congress, the exhibition and the numerous networking formats offer a lot of information and inspiration for your own business. Especially in the current tense economic situation, it is worth looking around for application-ready AM solutions and presenting them at rapid.tech 3D.