Rapid Prototyping Professional Associations

Rapid Prototyping Professional Associations

Global Alliance of Rapid Prototyping Associations (GARPA)
This is an umbrella organization with member groups and associations in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom and the US. Many of the organizations don't have dedicated web sites, but you can reach them by visiting the main GARPA web-site.

National and Company-specific Organizations

Additive Manufacturing Users Group [Formerly 3D Systems Users Group.] Originally an independent forum for 3D Systems equipment users, the group's focus has been widened to users of any additive technology from any supplier. The AMUG holds a well-attended and highly-regarded meeting each year.

Association of Professional Model Makers (APMM)

Australian Rapid Prototyping Association

Bundesinnungsverband des Deutschen Modellbauer-Handwerks [Federal Association of German Model-crafters]

Canadian Association of Rapid Prototyping
Associated with the Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI).

Chinese Rapid Forming Technology Committee

European Selective Laser Sintering Users Group

Finnish Rapid Prototyping Association

French Rapid Prototyping Association (in French)

Hong Kong Society for Rapid Prototyping Tooling and Manufacturing

Rapid Prototyping Society of India (RPSI)

Italian Rapid Prototyping Association (in Italian)

RP Japan

RTAM/SME - Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing Community of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (USA) was formerly the SME's Rapid Prototyping Association. It offers instruction, professional meetings and industry liaison services. A special interest group of the organization also covers 3D data capture and reverse engineering topics. Related Tech Groups of the SME that are also of interest include:

The Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) Tech Group
The NanoManufacturing Tech Group

The SME also has several discussion groups that can be joined without charge.

Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Association of the United Kingdom

Solid Modeling Association Develops and oversees ACM Symposia on Solid Modeling and Applications and provides the solid modeling community with information about events, funding, and research opportunities in this field.

Solidscape User Group The SUG was established in November, 2009 and provides a forum for users of the company's technology, as well as special pricing on related products and services for members. The jewelry trade is an area of strong emphasis.

Swedish Industrial Network on Freeform Fabrication

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