Learning More About 3-D Printing at MD&M West

3-D printing is set to support many promising medical device applications, from custom prosthetics to "printing" of living tissues and organs in the lab.Come to Anaheim, CA. to learn more about 3-D printing--and perhaps win a 3-D printer--at MD&M West, from Monday, February 10, to Thursday, February 13. Here are some of the 3-D printing highlights at the event:Tuesday, February 11: The conference's Design, Prototype, and Usability track includes sessions throughout the day about effective prototyping and 3-D printing. Tuesday, February 11, 9 a.m.: Susan York, North American business manager of Stratasys, chairs a Learning Lab about "3-D Printing Capabilities."Tuesday, February 11, 2 p.m.: Dylan Oliver, general manager of Fathom, delivers a talk about, "Today's 3-D printing and additive manufacturing applications," on the Center Stage, Booth 700 in Hall E.Wednesday, February 12, 2 p.m.: Tim Lew of 3-D Systems delivers a Center Stage talk about 3-D printing in healthcare.Thursday, February 13, 2 p.m.: Students and instructors from California State University in Long Beach will demonstrate 3-D printing and a three-wheeled hybrid electric vehicle on the Center State at 2 p.m.

3-D Printer Giveaway

Show organizer UBM Canon will also be giving away 3-D printers to three winners, selected daily from that day's eligible entries. The odds of winning will be determined by the total number of entries received each day. The prizes include:Feb. 11: FlashForge 3D printer, dual extruder with 6 ABS spools (approximate retail value $1,323)Feb. 12: 3D Systems Cube 2 3D printer with 3 additional printing cartridges (approximate retail value $1,558)Feb. 13: MakerBot Replicator 2 3D Printer with 3 large PLA spools (approximate retail value $2,352) View the official sweepstakes rules here.Justin Cross, UBM Canon marketing manager, provided more details about the program to MPMN's sister publication Packaging Digest:How do people enter?Cross: They just need to come down to our Audience Appreciation Booth (booth 266 in Hall E) at the Anaheim event this Feb 11-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. We'll scan their event badge to enter them. If they cannot attend the event, there is an alternative entry method mentioned [in the rules].How many are you giving away? Where and when will the winners be announced?Cross: We will award one printer each day of the three-day show, so three in total. The entries for each day are for the printer of the day, so they can enter the next day for the next printer, with drawings at approximately 4:15 p.m. PST Tuesday and Wednesday, and 3:00 p.m. PST Thursday. Drawings will be held where they entered, in the Audience Appreciation Booth (booth number 266 in Hall E).Why give away 3-D printers?Cross: 3-D printers are currently a hot topic for our events. We wanted to provide our attendees something that was exciting while still relevant to their work or hobbies. 3-D printers seemed like a perfect fit.