The next industrial revolution is arriving and is already impacting all the sectors of our life: from aerospace to automotive, from medical to consumer goods, from fashion to constructions, 3D Printing is the real revolution which will influence directly how we produce and how we live.
The possibilities are almost unlimited. However, these possibilities also raise several issues and potential threats. From a business perspective, the intellectual property rights issues are one of the most important. From a political perspective, how should we meet the new challenges in the 3D printing revolution?
3D printing is the common definition of Additive Manufacturing (AM), a manufacturing process that deposits materials layer-by-layer to build physical products. According to the Economist, AM has triggered a third industrial revolution because the technology presents new and expanding technical, economic and social impacts. Particularly, the increased accessibility to 3D printing capabilities has allowed mass customization to become more widespread in industries such as healthcare, aerospace and consumer markets.
14.00 – 14.10 Moderator’s opening remarks
14.10 – 15.50 Panel 1 – 3D Printing Perspectives and opportunities
Discussion points:
- What impact will 3D printing have on economy and society?
- How will the responsibility for product safety develop when different stakeholders are responsible for blueprint, production and the usage of 3D printed products such as medtech devices, engine parts or medical implants?
- How can we ensure that new legislation does not prevent the development of the 3D revolution?
Speaker line-up
Gianni Pittella Vice President of the European Parliament (tbc)
Bonifacio Garca-Porras Head of Unit B3 – Innovation Policy for Growth, DG ENTR, European Commission
Carla Van Steenbergen Legal Counsel, Materialise
Alain Strowel Of Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP
Moderator: Benjamin Denayer Senior Business Development & Innovation, focus Additive Manufacturing, SIRRIS
10.55 – 11.15 Coffee break
11.15 – 13.00 Panel 2: 3D Printing Challenges and threats
Discussion points:
- Who should legislate? Will the European Union be able to meet the demand for new legislation or will we have 28 different legislations within the EU. How will this affect the internal market?
- What influence will 3D printing have on legislation (IPR, Standards, Security, Patent)?
- How do we find the balance between sufficient protection and personal integrity?
Speaker line-up
Bonifacio García Porras Head of Unit B3 – Innovation Policy for Growth, DG ENTR, European Commission
Frits Feenstra Senior Project Manager, TNO Member and Coordinator of the European Additive Manufacturing Platform
Prof Dr Denis Dufrane Head of Endocrine Cell Therapy Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain
Dr Peter Troxler Research Professor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, founder and member of the Board of the International Fab Lab Association
Moderator: Benjamin Denayer Senior Business Development & Innovation, focus Additive Manufacturing, SIRRIS
