A lot of companies had downsized their booths compared to last year, but there were also firms that have really become more prominent.The value propositions of the new startups were much more powerful as well.They too had better explanations, were better able to showcase their wares, and seemed more professional. The businesses in the startup area were much more mature than before.I heard over and over again that attendees were having good conversations with good people and that the knowledge and level of engagement with AM was higher than usual.In the items OEMs demonstrate, the startups that are there, and the topics people are talking about, we’ve become very application- and use case-focused which, of course, is wonderful. Overall, we can see a strong application focus.Click here to register: #formnext /R6rslC0MIs Today, the international trade fair for additive manufacturing technologies #Formnext starts under 2G regulation at the Frankfurt exhibition center. I can’t fathom why people would invest so much money in a stand to just check their emails all day. No one was even trying to engage attendees for conversation. But, there were a lot of stands still where people were not doing anything to engage new contacts or customers. People on the whole were more engaging and open to talk. There is still a lot of candy, much of it is Haribo, but clearly the Celebrations mix candy by Mars is winning. We seem to have gotten rid of a lot of the casual AM people. But, a lot more professionals and industry people. There are, of course, significantly fewer attendees. Marketing is more slick, stands are more informative and everything is very creative.
Generally, everyone is much more professional once again. DMG Mori has seven different 3D printers and I can’t fathom which one I would recommend to whom. GE, meanwhile, is taking a deep breath before hopefully charging forward again.
BASF wants to get comfortable and is here to stay, but in a friendlier way than before. So, clearly there is a bit of a readjustment going on. Now, if I told you a year ago that the Freemelt stand would be bigger than that of GE Additive, would you have believed me? Everyone on the BASF stand is wearing polos, as well. I learned throughout the day and already have some seedlings of completely new ideas and concepts to brood over for weeks. It was good to see everyone come out in force and gather. It was exciting to hear of people with divergent opinions and other points of view. It really felt wonderful to discuss things, trends, news, and developments again. I really loved feeling the support of my industry, the varied opinions, the gossip, the excitement. Come see our braces in Frankfurt at the Formnext Conference. Feel’s great to be back.Īt, we are very excited to announce that our next generation Scoliosis Brace is the winner of the – StartUp Challenge. We continue to chip away at our problems, and, once again, nothing really changes-just the logos. To walk around, see everything and get inspired. It was great to be at a show again, as well. I met lots of interesting new people, as well. I met so many people that I hadn’t seen for a year or two that it was a completely lovely day. It was wonderful to be here and see everyone.
Yes, it was the first day of Formnext 2021. I must press on, however, to tell you about one of the happiest days of my life. After a long day, my aching feet melt into that hotel carpet, my pillow, just feet away, beckons. Munich, Berlin, have you been? Frankfurt is the color of parking garages and feels like a scalpel’s tip. Yes, you’re wearing a cashmere sweater or a Super 150’s suit, but wool won’t warm your soul. I stare at them for far too long, amazed at why they would live here. I’ve been coming here for a long time and, if you couldn’t tell, I feel as though there is something soul-destroying about this place. Some of the world’s hardiest sex workers brave the cold by the roadside, as you, homeless, dodge your way to your restaurant amidst architecturally unambitious office towers filled with ambitious people. It’s like Blade Runner without the production values-with all of the neon stripped out.
Formnext is back and we’ve headed once more to Frankfurt, the lovely city where you can see people smoking crack on the street at 19:00 while the financiers zoom by on their electric scooters.