"Innovation Symposium": focus on additive manufacturing

The Swiss MedTech Expo will take place for the first time at Messe Luzern from 15 to 16 September 2015. The trade fair is the most important convention for Europe's third-largest medtech market. The two trade fair days are dedicated to innovation and additive manufacturing in the medtech segment. One of the highlights of the programme is the "Innovation Symposium" that will take a close look at current topics and trends.

On the second trade fair day, 16 September 2015, the "Innovation Symposium" will focus on the topic of "Additive manufacturing in medical technology". Additive manufacturing is already an important component of medical and dental technology. Clinical users, service providers and researchers will report on current and future-oriented projects during the "Innovation Symposium".

A beneficial series of lectures

Antonius Köster will get the symposium off to a good start. In his overview speech, he will demonstrate how medicine can benefit from 3D printing. Antonius Köster and his company, Antonius Köster GmbH & Co. KG, are pioneers in the field of 3D modelling and 3D printing of customised implants. The lecture from Dr Johannes Homa also promises to be very exciting. As the responsible manager for biomedicine at Lithoz GmbH, he will report on the 3D printing of biodegradable photopolymers and ceramics. Lithoz GmbH is world market leader in the generative manufacturing of high-performance ceramics. The talk by Thomas Gradl on regulatory requirements for implants made using additive manufacturing and their inclusion in the process chain will be another highlight. Thomas Gradl works in project sales at FIT AG, a service provider and innovator in the field of 3D printing and medical technology. The interesting series of lectures taking place on Wednesday 16 September is organised by Ralf Schumacher, Head of Medical AM at the School of Life Sciences FNHW, and by Dr Stefan Köstler and Ulrich Trog from Joanneum Research. 

Competence centre for additive manufacturing

The Rapid.Area will also be on show at the Swiss Medtech Expo. Eight leading companies and institutes with long-standing experience and competence in additive manufacturing for medical technology will present their expert knowledge to trade fair visitors. The Rapid.Area is a mobile platform for additive manufacturing and 3D printing that is organised by Messe Erfurt. Other companies, networks and service providers will also present topics on additive manufacturing outside of the Rapid.Area.