It may seem like a long way off to our annual conference, but your executive board is already working hard to insure a successful event. This year is crucial with the inclusion of all additive manufacturing technologies. We now have participation commitments from Objet, Stratasysand Z Corporation. 

With the increased technologies many new action items were discussed and assigned, everything from making sure new attendees are welcomed and feel included to creating new benefits for our sponsors and exhibitors. 

Again, everyone is working hard to coordinate this exciting event for 2012 and we appreciate your support.

Regards, Mark & Scott

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/july2011.html

Objet, the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, revealed the Objet260 Connex last week, a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet’s family of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet260 Connex is based on the company’s patented inkjet 3D printing technology — the world’s only rapid prototyping system able to jet two materials at the same time. This technology allows users to select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models, such as Objet’s recently released ABS-like material. The system is a compact, attractively priced edition of Ojbet’s pioneering line of multi-material 3D printers.

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/july2011.html

As June has quickly turned into July, we are one month closer to the first AMUG conference. Before I continue I first need to recognize our newest AMUG sponsors. Please join me in welcoming diamond level sponsor Z Corporation and gold level sponsor Renishaw. As of today our 2012 sponsors also included diamond levels Stratasys and Objet. As you can see your AMUG board has had little time for R&R. Going forward we plan to highlight our major sponsors each month in this newsletter leading up to the 2012 AMUG conference.

The AMUG board has just returned from a 36-hour, three-day business meeting. Thirty-six hours is no exaggeration, I can assure you of that. I’d personally like to thank our board members for giving up their personal vacation and family time to help move the AMUG forward. You will begin seeing changes in everything we do from forms that are used to new policies that are put in place. The essence of our group will not change as we move forward and take on a new identity. 

The 2012 AMUG will truly be an historic event and if you are reading this July newsletter, you’ll want to register early to be a part of it. Please continue to support all of our sponsors and exhibitors for without them we cannot continue to provide our users with the highest quality users meeting that we strive for. In closing please do not hesitate to contact either myself or any member of the AMUG board with ideas, concerns, or just to say hi. 

Enjoy your summer, Gary

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/july2011.html

Huntsman RenShape® SL photopolymers are technologically advanced stereolithography materials formulated to produce durable, robust models and prototypes with outstanding accuracy, intricate reproduction of detail and a high-quality surface finish. The versatile Huntsman RenShape® SL materials product family includes photopolymers with a variety of physical characteristics including heat deflection temperatures up to 185ºF (85ºC), elongations as high as 30%, flexural strengths from 7,000 to 15,000 psi and good humidity resistance. Huntsman RenShape® SL materials are also known for their easy processing, high throughput and good green strength. Parts made with the photopolymers are easy to clean and require minimal finishing.

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/june2011.html

In its ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of stereolithography (SL) performance for additive manufacturing, DSM Somos introduced Somos® NeXt. An advanced SL resin, approaching true thermoplastic performance.

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/june2011.html

Stratasys machines use FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology to produce everything from rapid prototypes to end-use parts from 3D CAD data in a variety of production-grade thermoplastics. The Dimension line of 3D printers offers CAD users an affordable, networked option for printing models using ABS plastic, one of the most widely used thermoplastics in today’s injection-molded products. The Fortus line of 3D production systems is ideal for direct digital manufacturing and advanced prototyping. No matter what your CAD application, Stratasys has a machine that can make your job easier. 

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/june2011.html

Where do I begin this month’s article? So much has happened in the transformation of your AMUG in such a short time. First and very important news is that the 2011 Conference Proceedings are now available to attendees. Please be sure to use the passcode that is on the backside of your conference badge. We hope that you find the proceedings easy to navigate and enjoy the conference photos as well. I’d like to thank Tim Gornet, Past Chairman for his work on getting these proceedings together for all of us to reference. I would also like to thank Cadmium CD for their hard work in publishing these proceedings. 

I have attended Rapid for a number of years now, but I have to admit that this was one of the best Rapid events in a long time. Congratulations to the folks at SME, especially Gary Mikola, Jane Wellington and our own Kevin Ayers. These individuals deserve a great deal of credit for putting on a fine show. As far as the AMUG exhibit is concerned, we also had a great show. Countless numbers of attendees visited and inquired about the 2012 AMUG. The excitement of having just one Users Group for all Additive Manufacturing Technologies really appealed to everyone who stopped by to chat.

It is now official that we have two confirmed Diamond level Sponsors for the 2012 AMUG. We welcome both Stratasys and Objet at our highest level of Sponsorship and also have a firm commitment fromZ-Corporation. It is through these OEM’s financial commitments that we will be able to keep costs down and still be able to provide the highest quality Users Group ever assembled. Stay tuned as we highlight one or more of our Sponsors each month in this newsletter. Thanks to everyone who helped man the AMUG Booth during RAPID, and please don’t hesitate to contact myself or any of your AMUG officers with suggestions, concerns or ideas. Until July, I remain at your service! 

Sincerely, Gary

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/june2011.html

easons why you should lease assets that depreciate and buy assets that appreciate.

1. Product cycles are getting shorter. In RP, the range is generally from 27 to 40 months. Leasing transfers the risk of obsolescence to the Lessor.  
2. Leases can help you manage your taxes. Operating lease payments are tax deductible and are treated as ordinary business expenses. In simple English, that means you write off your costs as they occur.  
3. We can probably save you money, because we are willing to invest in the residual value of equipment. We also know how to address second user issues like refurbishment and maintenance qualification.

For more information, visit www.ncpleasing.com.

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/may2011.html

Can you believe that we are approaching 11 months from the start of the 2012 AMUG Conference and Exhibition? Next year’sConference, Vendor Fair and Award Banquet will be an historic event, and I am really excited about the possibilities. I am still in negotiations with the hotel on the 2012 contract; however, I can tell you that the event will take place in California April 22-25, and that the room rate will remain at the $115+tax per night. With all of the potential additional attendees, I would highly suggest that once I sign the contract and release the location, it would be in your best interest to book your room. When I negotiate the contract I guarantee the hotel a certain number of rooms and after the room block is filled, it is difficult to receive the $115 group rate, so again book early.

See you in 2012, Tom 

http://www.additivemanufacturingusersgroup.com/newsletters/may2011.html