3-D Printing in Metal
Those who recall the 1967 movie “The Graduate” will remember that the word was “plastics.” Plastics were the future, and that future reached a zenith in recent years with additive manufacturing machines that could “print” 3-D objects in shapely polymers. That future is changing, however, because the new industrial buzzword is “metals”—as in the ability to 3-D print them. But has that latest technology truly come of age? And, more importantly, should SEMA members rush to embrace it?
Here's a sample of the products that will be featured in the 2018 SEMA Show New Product Showcase.
Now in its fifth year, the SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition has grown again. The competition presents a rare opportunity for builders to judge and be judged by the greatest names in the industry, and it has attracted passionate builders from nearly every continent. The vehicles present will be among the highest quality in the world. They come from seasoned teams of professionals as well as one-man shops with small budgets. All feature immense creative power and passion.
Year after year, surveys indicate that one of buyers’ top objectives for the SEMA Show is to discover new products. The easiest way to meet that goal is to visit the New Products Showcase—buyers’ number-one destination at the Show. Located in the Skybridge between Central and South Halls, the Showcase is adjacent to the Media Center, making it convenient for members of the press as well.
Each year, the SEMA Show brings together upward of 170,000 specialty-equipment professionals in Las Vegas to network, sharpen their skills and discover new products. The 2018 event is guaranteed to offer new opportunities for attendees to accomplish those same goals. SEMA Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso offered a preview of what attendees can expect this year, along with his pro tips for a successful week of business.
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