Between start-ups and innovative projects, an entire exhibition area dedicated to one of the technologies of the future

September, 5, 2023 - PLAST 2023, which is taking place from 5 to 8 September in the halls of Fiera Milano in Rho, is an opportunity to get an up-close look at the most innovative technological proposals addressed to the plastics and rubber market. Of particular note among the large variety of satellite-shows is 3D PLAST, an exhibition space dedicated to additive manufacturing and 3D printing, rapid prototyping, modelling software, and related technologies.

The large exhibition area of the satellite fair is divided into two sections: an island for conferences on 3D printing and rapid prototyping; and a demonstration area where visitors can get a hands-on experience of the new technology on display. One of the very interesting displays is a sui generis 3D printing application using a humanoid robot equipped with an extruder to build a bicycle. It is an experimental project that gives a nod to contemporary lifestyles, soft mobility, sustainability, and other current themes such as electric mobility. In the upcoming years, the bicycle industry is expected to grow constantly in response to consumer demand guided by the need to protect the environment, reduce urban traffic, and adopt greener lifestyles. As a demonstration of the potentials of extrusion technology integrated with 3D printing, three different bicycles are produced during the fair, each with a different material: thermoplastic, reinforced thermosetting resin, and plastic sheet.

The protagonists of the innovative project are businesses and start-ups: Indexlab, MOI, ISINNOVA, eXgineering, Gimac, demonstrating how 3D additive technology makes it possible to envision artisanal products and adapt them to industrial production, applicable also to the most classic designs, such as a bicycle.

“We believe this is a very interesting example of how technology combined with innovation can also move towards environmental sustainability and the transformation of an artisanal product into an industrial process,” stated Mario Maggiani, Managing Director of Promaplast, the PLAST organizing company.

He is echoed by Fabrizio Vanzan, Exhibition Office Director for Promaplast, who adds, “3D printing is a highly relevant current technology. We read articles every day in specialized magazines and newspapers regarding products made using this technique and its potentials. So we can only be pleased to host a section in PLAST dedicated to this topic, and there will also be a conference on additive manufacturing titled “Thinking Additive – How additive thinking, communication, and approach condition industrial production”. It has been organized to familiarize people with the technology and illustrate the potentials of the sector to all, and most importantly, how it can influence processing technologies of currently existing plastics.”

Source: Plast 2023