3-D printed shoe soles, helicopter wings, avatars on show at LA convention
At a 9,000-person convention in downtown Los Angeles, objects ranging from helicopter wings to intricate chess sets to life-size “Star Wars” statues all have something in common: they were created using 3-D printing.
The three-day convention, called RAPID + TCT 2024, began on Tuesday, June 25, and is the largest 3-D printing event in the country. It has brought together manufacturing companies, engineers, technology students and exhibitors who are showing off their imaginative creations at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Angie Szerlong, who oversees the event and specializes in 3-D printing at the non-profit SME, said, “This event is about bringing the (3-D printing) community together to look at all the latest and greatest technology. Attendees come and learn about it, exhibitors launch products here, and it’s really the place to be.”
Visitors look over a large metal 3-D printed casting at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A working 3-D printed drum kit from Stratasys direct at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
3-D printed figurines of all colors demonstrate the color palates available from Panchroma at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A skull replacement 3-D printed at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Life-like hands on display at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
This Brooks running shoe has a sole which has been 3-D printed at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Avatars Jake and Neytiri created with 3-D printing at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Martin Forth, of Triditive, sports 3-D printed rings from his company at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A giant octopus attacks a corgo ship, all created with 3-D printers at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A storm trooper made with 3-D printing at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Life-sized Anna and Elsa from Frozen grace the floor at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A large 3-D printer creates a part as visitors look on at the the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Some of the parts which went into the formula 1 car, in background, on display at the Additive Industries display at the industrial 3D printing convention at the LA Convention Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The convention, which runs through Thursday, features 3D-printed movie props, lawnmowers, sneakers, hockey gear, heart valves, and more. Almost anything can now be created with 3-D printers. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The event featured more than 400 exhibitors, including large aerospace engineering companies with equally large products, medical manufacturers, 3-D printing start-ups and entertainment industry specialists.
Jason Lopes, the chief technology officer at the Burbank-based Gentle Giant Studios, attended the event—and brought several Hollywood replicas with him, including characters from “Avatar” and “Monsters Inc.” Gentle Giant Studios creates statues, visual effects and collectibles for the entertainment industry.
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“It’s really cool to be here, and we want to show that any industry can borrow inspiration from art in one way or another,” Lopes said.
Strolling around the convention while wearing 3-D printed shoe soles, Sean Momsen, the vice president for business development and marketing at Evology Manufacturing, has used this time to meet many other exhibitors and potential customers.
“We get to see our suppliers and our customers all at the same place, and that’s really a highlight,” Momsen said. “We really get to work with people.”
Szerlong said the convention, which has been around for 34 years, has evolved along with the technologies it showcases.
“(3-D printing) has really grown and changed, and each industry is finding its way to use it and innovate with it,” Szerlong said.
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