RAPID 2012 exhibitors expected to ‘WOW’ attendees and judges with innovation and impressive displays of 3D imaging, 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies.

DEARBORN, Mich., April 4, 2012 — The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) will honor RAPID 2012 exhibitors with ‘Exhibitor Innovation’ and ‘Best in Show’ awards, this May in Atlanta. The exposition, opened to industry professionals and to the public, is expected to draw visitors from around the world.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of this manufacturing event, an ‘Exhibitor Innovation’ award will be presented to the RAPID 2012 exhibitor who introduces a product or service with significant technology innovation for the industry that improves business operations and manufacturing. Entries will be judged by members of the SME Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing (RTAM) community. Judges will visit with finalists on the show floor prior to awarding the winning entry. Exhibitors must submit entries online before April 30 for consideration.

“The RAPID exposition is known for unveiling ground-breaking 3D imaging and additive manufacturing technologies to the industry,” said SME’s 2012 RTAM president David Leigh. “Many businesses choose to debut their products and services at RAPID, and we’re excited to introduce a new award to recognize and honor the exhibitor who demonstrates the most innovative use of technology.”

In addition to the ‘Exhibitor Innovation’ award, a “Best in Show’ award will be determined by the popular vote of RAPID attendees and is intended to recognize the most interactive, visually appealing and engaging exhibit. Business professionals and students are encouraged to attend the exposition and vote.

Both awards were designed by renowned sculptor Bathsheba Grossman whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the London Times, Wired, Discover and Make magazines.  Awards will be presented to winning entries during a networking reception on May 24. Some 75+ organizations will exhibit at RAPID 2012 including:

The RAPID 2012 exposition will inspire attendees with special events such as the 3D printing fashion show, the contemporary art gallery, the Bright Minds mentor program and the announcement of several competition winners including The Edge Factor Show’s Reality Redesigned – a student-focused design contest and online reality show awarding more than $20,000 in cash prizes at RAPID 2012.

“RAPID is the longest running industry forum for advancing 3D imaging and 3D printing technologies,” said SME business development manager Gary Mikola. “The event provides a unique opportunity for businesses to gain exposure in the growing additive manufacturing industry while helping to accelerate adoption by the global manufacturing community.”

To reserve RAPID 2012 exhibit space, contact SME Events at 800.733.3976, Ext. 3159 or exposales@sme.org. Exposition admission is free to conference attendees and traditionally draws hundreds of design and manufacturing engineers who tour the exposition to evaluate and source new equipment.

SME RAPID News:
To receive the latest up-to-the-minute SME news, subscribe to the SME News Feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/sme. Follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter, Circle Rapid Conference & Exposition on Google+ and Like on Facebook to receive conference updates.

Note to Media: Journalists can register for media conference credentials online.

About RAPID:
RAPID is North America’s definitive additive manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, visit: www.sme.org/rapid.

About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) today announced details about Prodrive’s development of the MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car (WRC) and a keynote presentation to be given by Paul Doe at the RAPID 2012 Conference and Exposition, May 22-25 in Atlanta. Prodrive’s highly specialized use of 3D printing will reveal the future of manufacturing and appeal to any organization looking to capitalize on additive manufacturing technologies that speed new products to market.

“Additive manufacturing is instrumental for many product development companies, and we’re excited to showcase Prodrive’s 3D printing success story with Paul Doe’s keynote presentation at RAPID 2012,” said SME business development manager Gary Mikola.

Prodrive is one of the world’s leading motorsport businesses and is responsible for the design and engineering of the MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car. The company uses additive manufacturing to accelerate the development of the race car and reduce production costs. Prodrive’s 3D printers created functional prototyping, rapid tooling and end-use parts with polycarbonate and ABS materials direct from CAD (computer-aided design) files.

“3D printing is an important part of our design and development process that has massively reduced our reaction time,” said Prodrive chief design engineer Paul Doe. “The technology allows us to produce new parts for the test car within hours of a problem or need being discovered.”

During his presentation, Doe will share how the MINI John Cooper Works WRC team relied heavily on 3D printing throughout the car’s two-year development cycle. To design the test car, engineers used additive technologies to create large parts of the engine bay, multiple display housings, gearbox, steering assembly, vehicle interior and even engine components. In addition to prototyping parts for the test track, the team 3D printed end-use parts for the finished car. The ergonomically styled gearshift display and control panel, which is mounted on the steering column, are the WRC’s most visible 3D printing examples.
“3D printing has created opportunities to innovate that were previously considered a dead-end without a significant investment in tooling and has freed our team from the constraints that are applied when manufacturing by more traditional production methods,” says Doe.

Attendees will discover how Prodrive’s WRC program was one-fifth the cost of similar projects that specified traditional manufacturing methods. As a result of these cost savings, the number of parts produced by additive manufacturing technologies for Prodrive’s development programs continues to increase.

“3D printing improved our overall prototyping and manufacturing process by giving our team the ability to make high-performance, end-use components that would have been very expensive to produce by any other method. The simplicity of 3D printing combined with the relatively low cost of materials make it the obvious choice for manufacturing parts and offers significant advantages to our program,” Doe added.

Paul Doe has 15 years of experience in race vehicle design, working at the forefront of the World Rally Championship with Mitsubishi, Subaru and MINI. He also worked with Aston Martin Racing in the development of the 2009 Le Mans Series winning DBR1-2 LMP1 car.

SME RAPID News:
To receive the latest up-to-the-minute SME news, subscribe to the SME News Feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/sme. Follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter, Circle Rapid Conference & Exposition on Google+ and Like on Facebook to receive conference updates.

Note to Media: Journalists can register for media conference credentials online.

About RAPID:
RAPID is North America’s definitive additive manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, visit: http://www.sme.org/rapid.

About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.

About Prodrive:
Prodrive is one of the world’s largest and most successful motorsport and automotive technology businesses, with more than 700 staff operating in Europe, Australia and Asia. Today the company runs motorsport programs for Aston Martin Racing in world sports car racing, Ford Performance Racing in the Australian V8 Supercar Series and MINI in the World Rally Championship. The company also works with vehicle manufacturers to help develop new technologies and performance vehicles for the road, and is increasingly involved in the aerospace, marine and defense industries, manufacturing specialist components for applications as diverse as commercial passenger aircraft, satellites, racing yachts and high-end audio. For more information, visit: http://www.prodrive.com.

MINI WRC Team Details:
In 2011, the MINI WRC Team debuted two Prodrive-built John Cooper Works WRCs, complete with their BMW Motorsport 1.6-litre turbo engines, at the FIA World Rally Championship in Rally, Italy. The team was founded by team principal David Richards, who was himself a very successful rally co-driver. Under the guidance of new team principal Dave Wilcock, the MINI WRC Team will tackle a partial program of events in 2012 and prepare for a full title bid in 2013. Driving number 37 is Spain’s Dani Sordo who is set to be an ever-present in the team’s driver line-up alongside co-driver Carlos Del Barrio. Driving number 52 is Sweden’s Patrik Sandell along with co-driver Staffan Parmander. For more information, visit: http://www.minimotorsport.com/en/wrc/car.

www.sme.org/rapid

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2012 — The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) RAPID 2012 Conference & Exposition will feature a potent lineup of presentations aimed at revealing how businesses can improve their competitive edge in a challenging, global economy. Industry consultant Terry Wohlers will provide the State of the Industry keynote presentation on Thursday, May 24. Wohlers will discuss how additive manufacturing technologies are helping to develop new markets and exciting business opportunities.

“Additive manufacturing technologies create a world of possibilities that can take an organization in an entirely new direction and help launch new businesses and business models,” said Terry Wohlers of Wohlers Associates. “3D printing and 3D imaging are causing design and manufacturing professional to rethink their approach to new product development.”

Despite a decade of financial hardships for many American-based manufacturers, the additive manufacturing industry has achieved impressive growth. Over the past seven years, compound annual growth has been about 21%, according to Wohlers Associates. The company expects the industry to continue its strong double-digit growth over the next several years, conservatively forecasting industry-wide growth to reach $3.1 billion by 2016 and $5.2 billion by 2020.

Terry Wohlers was voted the number one most influential person in rapid product development and additive manufacturing as part of TCT Magazine’s Top 25 Influential People survey. His presentations attract large audiences of professionals ranging in experience from high-school students exploring careers in science and technology to top manufacturing professionals with billion dollar business operations.

“This is the 20th consecutive year of RAPID, and Terry Wohlers has presented at all of them,” said SME business development manager,” Gary Mikola. “In addition to being informative, his presentations are energetic, electrifying and inspiring.”

RAPID 2012 will be in Atlanta, an area that is seeing a strong reshoring effort to return the manufacturing sector to the South and Southeast regions of the United States. Manufacturers looking to shorten supply chains, eliminate shipping costs and reduce lead times can benefit from additive technologies, in addition to promoting innovation among R&D teams, industrial designers and manufacturing engineers.

“SME has shown that it’s important to take an event such as RAPID to locations that can benefit from it the most,” Wohlers added. “I’m certain Atlanta’s manufacturing community will gain from the wealth of information this conference and exposition is expected to provide.”

In the past, Wohlers’ presentation has focused mostly on additive manufacturing developments, trends, and the future. This year, he will include both qualitative and quantitative data that will present the current state of the industry and where it might be in five or ten years. This insight is a result of his organization’s research and the information it has been collecting, analyzing and publishing for nearly two decades. His keynote presentation will reveal industry growth estimates and forecasts, emerging applications and new developments and business opportunities.

Several emerging trends, according to Wohlers, suggest where additive manufacturing is headed. Low-cost 3D printers have helped create visibility for the industry, making the technology more accessible to students, researchers, do-it-yourself enthusiasts, hobbyists, inventors and entrepreneurs. Designers and manufacturing engineers are extending their capabilities as additive manufacturing offers highly complex, geometric shapes and features. The development of high-performance polymers and metal-based systems offer unlimited possibilities for the production of end-use parts.

“Low-cost 3D printers are affecting both the professional and consumer markets. The increased sale of these machines over the past few years has taken additive manufacturing mainstream more than any other single development,” said Terry Wohlers. “As new additive manufacturing systems and materials become more widely adopted, I expect to see new designs that previously would have been very difficult or too expensive to manufacture.”

Also speaking at RAPID 2012 on behalf of Wohlers Associates is Tim Caffrey who will present, “Trends Driving Additive Manufacturing for Final Part Production.” Caffrey has a strong technical background with experience at Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and Plynetics Express. His digital manufacturing experience has proven valuable to his work on the annual Wohlers Report, now in its 17th year, and other high-profile projects.

In addition to giving almost 100 keynote presentations on five continents, Terry Wohlers has authored nearly 400 books, articles and technical papers. The Wohlers Report 2012 Executive Summary will be made available at RAPID 2012. The 250-page version includes new content, process categories and terminology standards established by ASTM International Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies.

“The additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry has never been so exciting, so Tim Caffrey and I are eager to share the substantial amount of information and data that we have collected,” Wohlers added.

For more information, please visit: www.sme.org/rapid.

SME RAPID News:

To receive the latest up-to-the-minute SME news, subscribe to the SME News Feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/sme. Follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter, Circle Rapid Conference & Exposition on Google+ and Like on Facebook to receive conference updates.

Note to Media:

Journalists can register for a media conference credentials online.

About RAPID:
RAPID is North America’s definitive additive manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, visit: www.sme.org/rapid.

About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.

About Wohlers Associates:
Wohlers Associates is an independent consulting firm that provides technical, marketing, and strategic advice on the new developments and trends in rapid product development and additive manufacturing. For more information, visit:wohlersassociates.com.

CHESTERFIELD, MICHIGAN / March 20, 2012 — Xcentric Mold & Engineering, Inc., a leader in custom plastic injection molding, today revealed the company’s scientific manufacturing approach. Xcentric’s proprietary Process Engine delivers quality, reliability and repeatability for companies looking to cost-effectively manufacture products in the United States.

For years, the injection molding process has served as the industry’s preferred method for manufacturing plastic parts. A wide selection of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, combined with minimal part finishing requirements, have been among the many reasons injection molding is often specified and sourced.

“Consistency is extremely important to our organization and to the quality of the final injection molded part,” said Xcentric co-founder Brendan Weaver. “We want our customers to have a ‘stress-free’ manufacturing experience, with assurance in knowing their injection molding projects will be done right, on time and on budget.”

In some manufacturing operations, specifically during the custom production of highly complex parts, adverse outcomes can occur. Stress build-up in a part, for example, can lead to warping, size variation, color mixing issues, cracking under extreme weather conditions and a variety of cosmetic issues. Xcentric’s Process Engine eliminates problems before they occur. It analyses the internal cavity pressure and identifies optimal pressure requirements necessary to fill parts free of stress during production runs.

“Our process engine is the driving force behind our molding department’s ability to make sure the part is free of stress every single time,” said Xcentric co-founder Damon Weaver. “It alerts technicians of any sudden changes that have the potential to negatively impact part production. As a result, we can guarantee our clients’ projects success every single time.”

Xcentric’s team of design and manufacturing professionals use electric presses to produce high-quality, custom plastic mold parts for defense, medical, aerospace, automotive and consumer products industries. The company’s Process Engine is the result of a growing demand for reliable manufacturing sources that can guarantee quality and avoid unnecessary expenses associated with tooling and rework; an unfortunate and common problem experienced by companies who sometimes manufacture overseas.

“Unfortunately, many U.S. companies have been forced to accept the unnecessary burden of unforeseen manufacturing costs due to the lack of process controls and quality standards at overseas manufacturing operations. Our Process Engine eliminates that,” Weaver added.

About Xcentric Mold & Engineering, Inc. (www.xcentricmold.com)
Founded in 1996, Xcentric is a leader in the plastic injection molding industry, serving the medical, consumer, automotive, aerospace and defense industries. The company’s facility houses high-performance contract manufacturing equipment, including electric molding machines that guarantee quality and 100% repeatability. Xcentric delivers a complete array of expertise ranging from part design to prototype molds to plastic injection molded parts and is ISO 9001:2008 and ITAR compliant. Connect with Xcentric on Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, Twitter, Vimeo and YouTube.

Mcor Technologies Photo / 3D Printed Shamrock

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Annual Event Welcomes New Irish Exhibitor

The expo will feature equipment manufacturers, software companies and material producers in a forum where attendees can review additive manufacturing technologies and conduct business.

DEARBORN, Mich., March 16, 2012 — In response to businesses and manufacturers looking to accelerate product development and speed new products to market, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) RAPID 2012 Exposition will feature the latest innovations in 3D imaging, 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies. The annual event takes place May 22-25 in Atlanta and will attract exhibitors and attendees from around the world, including Ireland-based Mcor Technologies who recently 3D printed a Shamrock to create awareness and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

New to the RAPID 2012 Exposition is Ireland-based Mcor Technologies Ltd. The company will debut its Matrix 300, the world’s only 3D printer that uses reams of recycled 8 ½ x 11” paper and water-based adhesive to make 3D objects. 3D printing, often referred to as additive manufacturing, is a process used to create rapid prototypes and functional end-use parts. Analysts believe 3D printer manufacturers, such as Mcor, play an important role in creating awareness of an industry that’s expected to reach $3.1 billion by 2016 and $5.2 billion by 2020.

“Every year SME works diligently to unveil something ground-breaking and new to conference attendees, and this year we’ve assembled a diverse, international representation of the world’s most innovative technologies,” said SME business development manager, Gary Mikola. “We’re thrilled that Mcor Technologies has chosen RAPID 2012 as the first venue to introduce their 3D printer to the United States.”

For nearly two decades, additive manufacturing has been used by several industries including aerospace and defense, medical devices, motor vehicles and consumer products. The annual RAPID Exposition has been instrumental in promoting the applications and uses of additive technologies in early stage product design and in production. The launch of more affordable 3D printers is helping to create widespread adoption.

“We are very excited to present the Matrix 300, at RAPID 2012,” said Mcor Technologies co-founder and CEO Dr. Conor MacCormack. “The Matrix makes low-cost, green, good quality 3D printing accessible to everyone, and we believe that we have the prototyping technology that will soon be as ubiquitous as printing in 2D.” The company intends to reach a broader market by making the equipment as easy-to-use as a 2D printer and affordable for cost-conscious companies and universities. Editors: See photo of 3D printed shamrock on page two of this release.

The RAPID show floor will offer access to wide-ranging applications of additive manufacturing and 3D imaging technologies in several traditional industries while highlighting new applications in architecture, arts and entertainment. A reoccurring theme throughout the event will demonstrate how companies can use rapid technologies to reduce design and development time, cut production timeframes and lower costs. In 2011, the RAPID event attracted 200 international attendees from 27 different countries. Access to the expo is included with the cost of the conference; however, it’s open to walk-ins for $49 each day.

For more information, please visit: www.sme.org/rapid

SME RAPID News:
To receive the latest up-to-the-minute SME news, subscribe to the SME News Feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/sme. Follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter, Circle Rapid Conference & Exposition on Google+ and Like on Facebook to receive conference updates.

Note to Media: Journalists can register for a media conference pass online.

About RAPID:

RAPID is North America’s definitive additive manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, visit: www.sme.org/rapid.

About SME:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.

About Mcor Technologies Ltd

Mcor Technologies Ltd is an innovative Irish company set up in 2004 with a talented team of specialists in the area of 3D printing, software and CAD/CAM. Mcor’s vision is to bring 3D printing to a broader audience and eventually to the masses. Mcor HQ is located in County Louth, Ireland with an office in San Jose California. For more information, visit: mcortechnologies.com.

www.angerman.com

Seattle, WA / March 2, 2012 – Angerman Communications Group (ACG), a full-service marketing agency specialized in 3D printing, rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, today announced its purchase of a MakiBox A6. ACG is the first public relations firm to own a 3D printer.

“My interest in fused deposition modeling, polyjet printing, selective laser sintering and stereolithography has grown since first learning about rapid technologies nearly ten years ago when I worked for a service bureau,” said ACG founding principal Nadra Angerman. “Even though the MakiBox is made in China, I fully intend to maximize its capabilities in order to manufacture things in the USA.” Angerman will start by making 3D printed key chains and business card holders.

ACG is not a product development firm nor in the manufacturing business, rather in the business of promoting companies that use rapid technologies to manufacture new products and speed them to market. According to Angerman, the purchase is more of a publicity stunt as opposed to a new revenue stream for her company, and she bought it in order to identify more with her highly specialized clientele. ACG is the PR agent for RAPID 2012, North America’s definitive additive manufacturing event produced by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

www.MakiBox.com

The fused deposition modeling system has a 5.9″ x 4.3″ x 4.3″ build envelope and prints objects with 1mm ABS filament. The MakiBox uses ReplicatorG, an open source program that handles standard STL files and is available for both Mac and PC. The MakiBox attaches to a computer through a USB cable. The MakiBox Kit requires assembly. Angerman, who’s always had a passion for entrepreneurism and making things will document the assembly and publish on YouTube.

“As a child, I always tried to do what the boys could do – building tree houses, taking woodworking, making a firing kiln from a 55 gallon oil drum and enrolling in a metal shop class. As an adult, I’ve installed a keyless garage door opener, replaced the element on a water heater, changed the oil in my car and assembled a BBQ, and I’m excited to learn how challenging owning and operating a 3D printer really might be,” Angerman added.

About Angerman Communications Group (ACG):
Angerman Communications Group is the leading marketing agency dedicated exclusively to promoting business in the 3D printing, rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing industries. ACG marketing services include advertising, blogging, branding, corporate communications, infographic development, media buying, mobile app development, news writing, public relations, social media engagement, trade show management, video email marketing, video production, and website development. ACG is an ICANN-accredited domain name reseller and website hosting solutions provider. ACG is a member of the AMUG and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking — connecting manufacturing practitioners, academia, government partners and industry leaders to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes that support the current and future skilled workforce. Connect with ACG on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Linkedin, Linkedin Groups and YouTube or visit www.angerman.com.

www.paramountind.com

LANGHORNE, PA (PRWEB) February 23, 2012 – Paramount Industries, Inc., a world-class rapid product development, rapid manufacturing and rapid deployment company, today announced the successful completion of an AS9100 REV C audit resulting in its Langhorne facility’s achieving AS9100C certification. Paramount had been AS9100B certified since February, 2009.

AS9100 is the international quality management system standard for the Aircraft, Space and Defense (AS&D) industry and AS9100C is the most current standard. The standard provides manufacturing suppliers with a comprehensive quality system for providing safe and reliable products. AS9100 is managed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and based upon ISO 9001.

AS9100C is a designation offered only to organizations that design, develop and produce aviation, space and defense products while demonstrating strict adherence to quality, reliability and safety standards. It is endorsed by all major Aerospace regulators including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Aerospace and Space Administration (NASA).

“AS9100C certification validates our organization’s effective quality management system and best practices for safety and reliability of mission-critical products and services as specified by elite manufacturing organizations,” said Paramount CEO Jim Williams. “Maintaining compliance is reflective of our dedication to global standards, customer satisfaction and commitment to manufacturing excellence.”

Paramount’s AS9100C certification includes an increased focus on program and supply chain management for the delivery of high-temp laser sintering direct part manufacturing, as well as other additive manufacturing materials and processes. The AS9100C audit was conducted by DEKRA Certification, Inc, an ANAB certified third-party registrar. Paramount Industries is qualified to meet the rigorous standards set forth by ITAR (USA), ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C (also known as AS9100 Rev C).

About Paramount
Founded in 1966, Paramount Industries, Inc. is among the world’s most experienced providers of product development services, including design engineering, additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, rapid manufacturing, rapid tooling, urethane casting, injection molding and contract manufacturing. Paramount is AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008 certified and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registered. The company holds active memberships with the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG), Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Founding Member of the Keystone Chapter AUVSI, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and ASTM International. For more news and information, visit the Paramount website, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

EOSINT P 800 Laser Sintering System

“High temperature laser sintering is a 3D printing process that is growing in popularity for making strong plastic production parts,” said Paramount CEO Jim Williams. “As early adopters, our goal is to integrate this technology across all industries so manufacturers can benefit from the unique advantages additive manufacturing technologies can offer. While it is true that aerospace, defense, energy, medical and transportation are natural consumers, there are many more industries that will benefit from this processing and material technology.”

An increasing number of government agencies and manufacturers are sourcing laser sintering for direct part production. In contrast to traditional manufacturing methods, laser sintering can deliver plastic parts with highly complex geometries with impressive strength-to-weight ratios. In many cases, hundreds of parts can be directly manufactured from 3D CAD digital models long before tooling is available and in certain applications eliminating tooling costs altogether. As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) continue to make system enhancements and service providers develop new processing techniques for biocompatible and high temp laser sintering materials, Paramount anticipates that demand will continue to rise.

The EOSINT P 800 can process temperatures up to 385°C (725°F) which enables the laser sintering process of engineered polymers like PAEK. “The P 800’s elevated processing temperatures and range of high performance engineered polymers are critical components necessary for the growth of this industry and complementary to our ongoing laser sintering R&D effort and direct part manufacturing operations,” said Williams.

Laser sintering offers the highest levels of manufacturing flexibility for end-use parts. PAEKs offer the highest levels of performance among polymers. Since 2008 Paramount Industries has led the development of the high temperature laser sintering process. The company qualified the process through an extensive U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) R&D effort integrating laser sintering technology and materials science into a robust manufacturing solution package to deliver complex parts for military weapon systems. Paramount is successfully moving into SBIR Phase III, transitioning this high temperature laser sintering process to production with these new PAEKs and carbon-fiber-reinforced PAEKs.

The laser sintering PAEKs offer temperature resistance, processing stability, mechanical performance, resistance to hydrolysis, and flame retardant characteristics that make them ideal candidates for aerospace applications. The carbon-fiber-reinforced PAEKs offer additional electrostatic dissipative characteristics and higher tensile modulus. These new materials combined with Paramount’s advanced coatings and surface finishes broaden the material selection and design options and increases the range of applications.

For over 45 years Paramount has demonstrated a strong commitment to the early adoption of new manufacturing technologies and since the late ‘80s was a thought leader in the democratization of rapid technologies. In the mid ’90s, Paramount was an early adopter of laser sintering metals for the manufacture of injection molds and metal sintered parts. These early efforts were foundational in helping to elevate awareness and integration of advanced additive manufacturing technologies.

“Much of the excitement in what we do every day as a product development and manufacturing company is to create innovative ways to integrate advanced technologies that enable our customers’ rapid product deployment regardless of the industry. Paramount continues to advance the development of laser sintering materials and processing. My team is absolutely thrilled to add the EOSINT P 800 to Paramount’s additive manufacturing tool box,” Williams added.

About Paramount Inudstries:
Founded in 1966, Paramount Industries, Inc. is among the world’s most experienced providers of product development services, including design engineering, additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, rapid manufacturing, rapid tooling, urethane casting, injection molding and contract manufacturing. Paramount is AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008 certified and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registered. The company holds active memberships with the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG), Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Keystone Chapter AUVSI (founding member), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and ASTM International.

For more information, visit: www.paramountind.com

www.polymertek.com

Polymer Technologies, Inc. (PTI) today announced its acquisition of Polmold, a Wallington, NJ-based manufacturer and repair shop for injection molds, tools, dies and fixtures. The acquisition is expected to close February of 2012.

PTI is a custom plastic and metal injection molding company that provides contract manufacturing to the aerospace, defense, medical/surgical, automotive, commercial, consumer electronics and dental industries. The company offers design, engineering and manufacturing services supported by Mold Flow™ analysis. Its Clifton-based facility is home to 24 injection molding machines ranging from 38-Ton to 650-Ton machines and employs 71 professionals across its 24 hours a day, five days a week operations.

Polmold manufactures precision injection molding tooling for both plastic and metal injection molding (MIM) programs. Additionally, the company has extensive experience in construction and repair of molds for compression and investment castings applications, as well as providing complementary services for associated tools, dies and fixtures. The purchase will strengthen PTI’s position as a ‘one-stop shop’ contract manufacturing solutions provider. The company has five CAD/CAM work stations, four late-model computer numerical control (CNC) machining centers, seven CNC milling machines, two lathe machines, two wire and three “sinker” electric discharge machines (EDM), six grinders and QC inspection equipment to guarantee the quality of the value-added services they supply.

“The acquisition of Polmold complements our existing product offering and continues our strategic plan to offer streamlined contract manufacturing services to our customers in the USA and internationally,” said PTI president Neal Goldenberg. “Our vertical integration of this critical technology into our operation will truly make us a complete solutions provider for any engineered injection molding application.”

Melvyn Goldenberg, PTI founder and Neal’s father added, “We have been pleased to see a strong resurgence of tooling work being done here in the United States. Much of this is due to the realization that the cost-savings from work done overseas in places such as China didn’t pan out the way people had hoped it would when variables such as lost time and additional costs of rework were not a part of the original equation. Further, given the size of some of the tooling, transportation and import fees, outsourcing has become very cost prohibitive.”

Wallington-based, Polmold was founded by Henry Marzec in the 1980s. Polmold employs six highly-skilled workers whose combined 80+ years of experience in injection molding tool design and construction and use of their state-of-the art equipment will ensure the tools built will meet or exceed the stringent requirements of PTI’s customer base. With this acquisition, PTI will employ a total of 77 manufacturing professionals at its two facilities. Mr. Marzec will assume the role of Polmold Tool Inc general manager.

“We are very pleased to join our forces with PTI and the Goldenberg’s. We still intend to support our existing clients with the same level of superior quality, workmanship and service for which they have come to rely on us however, now can also offer a new value-proposition,” says Marzec. “Through utilization of PTI’s injection molding expertise, we can prototype and troubleshoot these tools prior to being shipped to the client. This will significantly reduce the debugging time associated with new tool manufacturing and increase our client’s speed-to-market.”

About Polymer Technologies, Inc.
Polymer Technologies, Inc. (PTI) is a custom plastic and metal injection molding company providing contract manufacturing to global leaders in the aerospace, healthcare, commercial and military industries. PTI, a family owned-and-operated company was founded in 1987 and is ISO9001:2008 and AS9001B registered. For more information about PTI, visit the company’s website or follow on Facebook, Google+, Linkedin and Twitter.

###

www.sme.org/rapid

DEARBORN, Mich., January 30, 2012 — The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) today announced the speaker line-up for the RAPID 2012 Conference and Exposition to be held in Atlanta, May 22-25. Keynote presentations, conference sessions, technical briefings, workshops, tours, 3D printing art gallery and 3D printing fashion show are among the highlights of the additive manufacturing industry’s premier event.

Keynote speakers for the event include Paul Doe, chief designer at Prodrive Rally Programs and Terry Wohlers, president of Wohlers Associates. Doe’s presentation will provide an overview of Prodrive’s development of the MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car and Wohlers will address additive manufacturing during his State of the Industry report.

“RAPID has become the most important meeting place in North America for those involved with additive manufacturing,” said industry analyst Terry Wohlers. “SME has created another world-class program, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Having it in Atlanta for the first time will attract new customer prospects from this region of the U.S. and this is important to the growth of the industry.”

RAPID is regarded as North America’s most comprehensive display of rapid manufacturing equipment, software and service providers. The conference and event provides numerous opportunities to network with members of the SME Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing (RTAM) community and study advanced uses of emerging technologies. This year marks the inaugural 3D Print Fashion Show and the third annual Contemporary Art Gallery and will present new and innovative uses of additive manufacturing.

The event also features additive manufacturing and 3D imaging technology briefings, and workshops led by industry experts who will educate and inform attendees on advanced manufacturing topics, including:

• Fundamentals of Rapid Technologies and Additive Manufacturing
• Fundamentals of Reverse Engineering and 3D Data Capture
• Metal Parts Using Additive Technologies

Attendees are also invited to tour an Atlanta-area foundry and manufacturing facility, as well as a technical college and product development firm. The 2012 “All-American” tour schedule includes visits to the following sites:

• Newell/Rubbermaid
  Visit the rapid prototyping lab, prototype assembly room and shop area of a global marketer of consumer and commercial products where Objet, Z Corporation, Stratasys and EOS 3D printers are in action.
• Slingshot Product Development Group
  Learn how rapid prototyping, 3D scanning and artisan sculpting are applied to the product development cycle to reduce costs and time to market while improving repeatability.
• Georgia Institute of Technology
  See how polyjetting, stereolithography and laser sintering technologies are used in the Manufacturing Research Center and the School of Mechanical Engineering.
• Inferno Art Foundry
  See collaboration, cutting edge technologies and techniques at work in the casting process.

“RAPID has earned a reputation as the “go-to” event for manufacturing knowledge, education and business development opportunities,” said Gary Mikola, SME business development manager. “The RAPID 2012 event schedule is designed to connect attendees and exhibitors with technologies and resources needed for businesses looking to remain competitive in a global marketplace and challenging economy.”

Quick Links

• Register
• Exhibit
• 2012 Speaker Lineup

Important Deadlines

• February 28, 2011: Deadline to submit entries for the 3D Print Fashion Show
• February 28, 2011: Deadline to submit art renderings for the Contemporary Art Gallery

For more information, please visit: sme.org/rapid.

SME RAPID News:
To receive the latest up-to-the-minute SME news, subscribe to RSS at http://feeds.feedburner.com/sme. Follow RAPID on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook to receive conference updates.

About RAPID:
RAPID is North America’s definitive additive manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, please visit sme.org/rapid.

About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, activities and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c) 3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.

###

Media Contact:
Nadra Angerman
Angerman Communications Group
rapid.pr@angerman.com
Tel 206.334.2644