Additive Manufacturing User Group (AMUG) Conference Wrap-Up

It’s hard to believe just over a month ago I was in attendance at the Additive Manufacturing User Group (AMUG) in Jacksonville,Florida.  Once again the executive board put a great conference together.  For those of you that do not know, the AMUG started out as the North American
Stereolithography Users Group.  After twenty five years the group has morphed into AMUG, comprised of users of additive manufacturing technology.  The conference kicks off on Sunday evening with a welcoming session combined with a vendor fair.   Over 50 OEM manufacturers and suppliers to the
industry display their products.  Along with multiple keynote presentations in the morning, every morning, there were over 30 afternoon breakout sessions.  A couple of the most impressive presentations I sat in on was a soluble core molding application and a presentation where spray on electrical conductive was dispersed onto the wings of a drone to spin propellers.  As for hands on sessions I had the opportunity to try hydro printing and nickel plating.  This kind of information is what makes this user group so valuable to anyone involved with additive manufacturing.  People share ideas, pass on tips or tricks, or discuss specific projects the attendees did throughout the year.

During the upcoming Rapid show June 10-13, 2013 held in Pittsburgh the executive board members will sit down and begin the task of putting together the 2014 AMUG conference. I have been fortunate enough to be elected to the board in a VP role.  All work is on a volunteer basis but when the conference starts it gives you a gratifying feeling to see all the attendees enjoying themselves throughout the week.  If you would like to see learn more about AMUG feel free to visit the AMUG website. Here is the address  http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/.  Hopefully you will get a chance to attend next year’s conference.  All  veteran attendees like to see first time
attendees and watch the organization grow.

 

Derek Ellis
Digital Prototyping Group
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.