6th June 2023, NEC, Birmingham
TCT UK User Group Meeting 
How to optimise additive manufacturing in your business.
In an effort to address the challenges that are stifling additive manufacturing adoption in the UK, and in response to ongoing feedback and demand for an active additive manufacturing and 3D printing user discussion forum in the UK, the TCT Group are delighted to announce details of the inaugural TCT UK User Group meeting.
This exclusive and FREE (for the first year and for invited guests only) event promises a deep dive into the roadblocks hampering AM adoption by providing a range of opportunities for debate and knowledge exchange.
When - June 6th 2023 - 9am-5pm (+ Evening Social on the eve of TCT 3Sixty)
Where - Toute Suite, NEC, Birmingham
Our Facilitator - Todd Grimm
Anyone who has seen Todd chair panels and host sessions at previous TCT events across the globe will know his pace, enthusiasm for the subject and energy will give the day cadence and ensure the session discussions are challenging, engaging and informative.
Programme
There are two key elements to the TCT UK User Group, the bulk of the day will focus around four key topics, these sessions will be led by a range of perspectives on the topics, followed by an engaging and wide ranging discussion and Q&A with the panel and the audience..interspersed throughout the day will be ample time to network and connect with like-minded individuals who have the same challenges and issues that you do!
| 08:30-09.15 | Registration, Badge Pickup & Breakfast |
| 09:15 | TCT UK User Group Kick Off Session |
| Duncan Wood, CEO, TCT Group & Todd Grimm, Founder and President, T.A Grimm & Associates Inc. | |
| 09:30 | Repeatability - So, you have your designs, you’ve done your research on your machine and material selection and the first print is perfect. How’s that second, third and even hundredth print? There so many factors to AM that can inhibit repeatability and to get into the realms of consistent, reliable output we’re currently reliant on the intel of a select few. In this session we’ll unpack the strategies and techniques that the best-of-the-best in AM in the UK have been practising. This is about your processes and environments, relying on the machines now is unlikely to warrant the holy grail of repeatability. |
| Session Contributors: Rob Higham, CEO, Additive Manufacturing Solutions Ltd, Mike Curtis-Rouse, Head of Beyond Earth, Satellite Applications Catapult, Tom Wasley, Technology Manager, The Manufacturing Technology Centre |
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| 10:45 | Networking Break |
| 11:15 | Economics and Enhancing Value - This session will delve into the nitty-gritty of economics in additive manufacturing. We're not just talking about the upfront costs of your equipment; we're venturing deeper to explore cost-efficiency, life-cycle economics, and identifying untapped value in your AM processes. We'll shine a light on how to leverage your AM technologies to maximise return on investment and deliver enhanced value across your operations. |
| Session Contributors: Steve Cox, 3D Technologies Consultant, AMFORi Consulting Nigel Robinson, Chief Operating Officer, Digital Manufacturing Centre |
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| 12:30 | Networking Lunch |
| 13:30 | Enterprise Wide Adoption - So, you bought a 3D printer? Now what? This session will focus on the implementation and optimisation of additive manufacturing technologies, taking the technology out of the rapid prototyping department and discovering application opportunities across an organisation. Discussion will explore going beyond that first AM application and department and getting maximum value from your machine. |
| Session Contributors: Pat Warner, ADM Manager, Alpine Racing F1, Jeremy Pullin, Head of Additive Manufacturing, Sartorius |
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| 14:45 | Networking Break |
| 15:15 | Where are we? Really? What does Success look like? This closing session will take a frank look at the real current state of additive manufacturing adoption in the UK. Taking learnings from the day’s sessions and conversations, the session aims to identify which barriers are getting in the way of accelerating AM adoption, and deliver an actionable ‘wish list’ of what needs to happen for us to overcome such challenges. |
| 16:45-17:00 | Wrap Up Session |
| Todd Grimm, Founder and President, T.A Grimm & Associates Inc & Duncan Wood, CEO, TCT Group | |
| 18:00-21:00 | Evening Social - Location within walking distance of the NEC |
OK, so bring your ideas, be open, be ready to share and ready to contribute to the conversation.
The day will revolve around three key discussion topics pinpointed by the group’s Advisory Board offering expert perspectives from each side of the coin. Then we'll follow those scene setting perspectives with engaging question and answer sessions that involve the panel and the audience, Then at the end of the day we'll take a honest look at where we are in the UK and propose some actions to help the industry move forward.
Throughout the day and into the evening there will be ample networking time to connect with peers facing similar challenges.
The day is only open to delegates who are actively using existing machines in their organisation on a daily basis, sales and marketing functions will not be invited to the day.
If you have already registered for the event then please drop us a line at tctusergroup@rapidnews.com and we will assess your suitability for an invitation to the event.
Jonathan Rowley, Advanced SLS
Steve Cox, AMFORi Consulting
Pat Warner, Alpine F1
Andy Allshorn, AT 3D-Squared Ltd
Jez Pullin, Sartorius
Richard Cooper, Innovate UK KTN
Andrew Graves, Stratasys
Rob Higham, AMS Ltd.
Maria Shipman, Diamond Centre Wales Ltd