Must‑Attend 3D Printing Trade Shows of 2018

Updated: September‑December 2018 events now included.

Although 2018 has barely begun, the additive manufacturing calendar is already in full swing. From the buzz of CES in Las Vegas to the inaugural 3D Printing Medical Conference in the Netherlands, the sector is poised for rapid growth. With dozens of events across the globe, you’ll want a curated guide to the most impactful trade shows.

FEBRUARY

Europe

Inside 3D Printing (Conference & Expo)

• When: 20‑24 February 2018
• Where: Düsseldorf, Germany
• What you’ll gain: A four‑day deep dive into how additive manufacturing reshapes business models and drives digital transformation. The conference (21‑22 Feb) will tackle Industry 4.0’s impact on value chains, while the expo (20‑24 Feb) showcases cutting‑edge technologies, research, and industrial applications.
• Explore more: Inside 3D Printing – Düsseldorf

Asia

Inside 3D Printing Singapore

• When: 6‑7 February 2018
• Where: Suntec City, Singapore
• Highlights: Seminars and exhibitions featuring leaders such as HP and SLM Solutions, covering the latest regional innovations and global trends.
• Explore more: Inside 3D Printing – Singapore

MARCH

Europe

Additive Manufacturing Expo (AMX)

• When: 6‑7 March 2018
• Where: Luzern, Switzerland
• Why attend: With 100+ exhibitors and 2,000 visitors, AMX spotlights design innovation, rapid prototyping, and new materials—PEEK, ceramics, and beyond.
• Explore more: AMX – Luzern

RapidPro 2018

• When: 7‑8 March 2018
• Where: Veldhoven, Netherlands
• Focus: From prototyping to production, RapidPro integrates AM, CNC milling, software, virtual prototyping, and metrology, with a conference to help embed these tools into your workflow.
• Explore more: RapidPro – Veldhoven

Asia

Asiamold

• When: 6‑8 March 2018
• Where: Guangzhou, China
• Key attractions: The dedicated 3D Printing Asia zone features EOS and other leaders, covering automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and electronics with 24,000+ visitors last year.
• Explore more: Asiamold – Guangzhou

APRIL

Europe

3D Printing Europe

• When: 11‑12 April 2018
• Where: Berlin, Germany
• Scope: Over 220 companies from 57 countries present hardware, software, and materials. The B2B conference focuses on metal printing, biomedical advances, and printed electronics.
• Explore more: 3D Printing Europe – Berlin

Hannover Messe

• When: 23‑27 April 2018
• Where: Hannover, Germany
• Highlight: The Digital Factory zone showcases IT solutions and integrated processes, offering insights into Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing’s role in the digital factory.
• Explore more: Hannover Messe – Hannover

United States

RAPID + TCT

• When: 23‑26 April 2018
• Where: Fort Worth, Texas
• What’s on offer: Workshops on metal AM, medical 3D printing, and the business case for additive manufacturing—plus sessions on reducing time‑to‑market and improving part quality.
• Explore more: RAPID + TCT – Fort Worth

May

Europe

3D Printing Live

• When: 31 May 2018
• Where: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Format: One‑day conference featuring 25+ speakers and 200 participants, offering case studies from design to serial production and answering all AM‑related questions.
• Explore more: 3D Printing Live – Copenhagen

North America

Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS)

• When: 14‑16 May 2018
• Where: Montreal, Canada
• What to expect: Panels, keynotes, and networking focused on tooling, metal working, automation, software, and AM—perfect for manufacturers looking to modernise.
• Explore more: MMTS – Montreal

June

Europe

Rapid.Tech + Fabcon 3.D

• When: 5‑7 June 2018
• Where: Erfurt, Germany
• Highlights: With 4,800 visitors, the 14th edition features leaders like Wacker Chemie and EOS, showcasing rapid prototyping, end‑part production, and the latest AM breakthroughs.
• Explore more: Rapid.Tech + Fabcon 3.D – Erfurt

3D Print

• When: 5‑7 June 2018
• Where: Lyon, France
• Why attend: Almost 5,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors cover hardware, software, materials, and post‑processing, plus a rich conference program.
• Explore more: 3D Print – Lyon

Addit3D

• When: 28 May – 1 June 2018
• Where: Bilbao, Spain
• Focus: The event runs alongside BIEMH, spotlighting Industry 4.0 innovations and showcasing 3D printing equipment, scanners, software, and metrology.
• Explore more: Addit3D – Bilbao

Asia

Inside 3D Printing Seoul

• When: 27‑29 June 2018
• Where: Seoul, South Korea
• What’s offered: Cutting‑edge technology displays and expert‑led conferences for manufacturers, investors, and developers.
• Explore more: Inside 3D Printing – Seoul

USA

AMPM 2018 (Additive Manufacturing with Powder Metallurgy)

• When: 17‑20 June 2018
• Where: San Antonio, Texas
• Focus: Dedicated to metal powder AM, offering deep dives into process advances and product innovation.
• Explore more: AMPM – San Antonio

September

North America

Additive Manufacturing Conference at IMTS

• When: 11‑12 September 2018
• Where: Chicago, USA
• Highlights: A day‑and‑a‑half event at IMTS featuring hybrid manufacturing, large‑scale 3D printing, and sessions from HP, Desktop Metal, and Hybrid Manufacturing.
• Explore more: IMTS AM Conference – Chicago

Europe

TCT Show

• When: 25‑27 September 2018
• Where: Birmingham, UK
• What’s on offer: 10,000 professionals from 60 countries, 60+ speaker sessions, 300 exhibitors—including AMFG—covering the latest in materials, software, and design.
• Explore more: TCT Show – Birmingham

RM Forum

• When: 19‑20 September 2018
• Where: Arese, Italy
• Scope: Seminar and exhibition focused on high‑performance industries such as aerospace, oil & gas, automotive, and racing.
• Explore more: RM Forum – Arese

Add+it

• When: 27‑28 September 2018
• Where: Steyr, Austria
• Focus: A symposium uniting 130 experts to discuss AM trends, research, and polymer technologies.
• Explore more: Add+it – Steyr

October

Europe

Oerlikon MTC Event

• When: 10‑11 October 2018
• Where: Munich, Germany
• Key themes: Industrialisation of additive technologies, success stories, challenges, and strategic drivers.
• Explore more: Oerlikon MTC – Munich

IN(3D)USTRY

• When: 16‑18 October 2018
• Where: Barcelona, Spain
• What’s covered: Real‑world applications of AM, adoption strategies, and industry impact.
• Explore more: IN(3D)USTRY – Barcelona

November

Europe

formnext

• When: 13‑16 November 2018
• Where: Frankfurt, Germany
• Why it matters: The largest European AM trade show, featuring groundbreaking solutions from AMFG and peers, covering product development, industrial manufacturing, design, education, and legal issues.
• Explore more: formnext – Frankfurt

Metal Additive Manufacturing Conference

• When: 21‑23 November 2018
• Where: Vienna, Austria
• Focus: Industrial perspectives on metal AM, including materials, design, post‑processing, and real‑world use cases.
• Explore more: Metal AM Conference – Vienna

While this list is not exhaustive, each event attracts a highly relevant audience and showcases the most recent technological breakthroughs. Whether you’re seeking to expand your AM knowledge, network with peers, or position your company as a leader in additive manufacturing, these trade shows are essential milestones in 2018.