TCT Show + Personalize is proud to be hosting its first dedicated conference session on wearables presented by international sports kit giant Reebok and vanguard of specialist athletic clothing Under Armour.
Wearable technology is one of the most talked-about developments in 3D printing this year, as more innovators turn to the leading technology to both improve consumer goods and make their manufacture more efficient, which is why TCT is targeting this key growth area in a specialist conference session.
TCT Show + Personalize Conference Director James Woodcock stated: "Wearables and 3D printing are two of the hottest topics in the tech world at the moment and demonstrate significant convergence. Wearables are best when they're customised, and the manufacturing freedoms allowed by 3D printing and additive manufacturing are a perfect fit."
Reebok RP Lab Manager and AMUG Advisor Gary Rabinovitz will unearth how the sports brand has been using 3D printing for years. Reebok is a 3D printing early adopter, utilising additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping for the best part of two decades. The globally-recognised brand has a long and successful history with the technology, using 3D Systems machines to create models for sports shoes, a prototyping process that saves the company both time and money, preventing the need for later modifications.
Under Armour's Senior Innovation Manager Alan Guyan is the company's 3D printing expert. The Baltimore-headquartered business is using leading-edge additive manufacturing to create the most advanced sportswear on the market, using 3D printing to optimise footwear, clothing and accessories for various sports and activities both at prototype stage and with the final product.
"While the true manufacture of wearables through 3D printing may be some years away, both Reebok and Under Armour have extensive experience of additive technologies in the design, development and prototyping phases in the wider sports apparel markets," Woodcock continued. "Both companies will deliver a unique insight into the part 3D printing is playing - an increasingly important role in diverse product development niches."
TCT Show's 2014 outing is set to be the biggest ever, extending across three days from September 30th to October 2nd and with almost 200 of the biggest names in 3D printing exhibiting on the packed show floor. Organisers anticipate 10,000 attendees from over 50 countries will visit the event to take in the stands, seminars and keynote sessions.
TCT Show + Personalize 2014 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on September 30th-October 2nd 2014.