From hype to reality
In an interview with Technische Rundschau, Trade fair director Sara Bussmann talks about the highlights and focus topics of AM Expo - and how she sees the AM sector developing.
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Visitors to AM Expo can expect a wide range of inspiration - especially with regard to additive series production. -
Exhibition manager Sara Bussmann is looking forward to the curious and open atmosphere at AM Expo. -
A special highlight of this year's trade fair will be the panel discussion on the topic of «Evolution - Revolution - Illusion».
Published in the Technical Review, issue of June 20, 2025
Author: Selina Mathis
Ms. Bussmann, the AM Expo is taking place in Lucerne from 9 to 10 September. What can visitors expect?
Visitors can expect a wide range of inspiration - particularly with regard to additive series production. The focus will be on realized applications that impressively demonstrate the potential of this technology. In addition, exhibitors along the entire value chain will be presenting innovations in materials and manufacturing processes. The trade fair experience will be complemented by exciting presentations and numerous opportunities to maintain existing contacts and make new ones.
How do you think the AM sector has developed, especially in Switzerland?
The first AM Expo took place in 2016 in the midst of the hype surrounding additive manufacturing at the time. Today, we see a much more mature industry: the initial euphoria has given way to a realistic and well-founded interest. Additive manufacturing has established itself as a serious manufacturing technology - far beyond prototyping. Thanks to improved material diversity and increased productivity, it is now an integral
part of industrial series production. Switzerland has a great deal of expertise in additive manufacturing and providers along the entire value chain.
Welche Themen greift die AM Expo 2025 speziell auf? Was steht besonders im Fokus?
2025 steht unter anderem im Zeichen von Advanced Manufacturing. Dabei geht es um die Frage, wie additive Fertigung dazu beiträgt, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen zu steigern – etwa durch hybride Fertigungsverfahren oder den Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz. Weitere Fokusthemen sind die Prozess- und Qualitätskontrolle von additiv gefertigten Bauteilen sowie das Thema Nachhaltigkeit, das auch in der additiven Fertigung zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnt.
Which topics will AM Expo 2025 specifically address? What is the particular focus?
Once again this year, we will be offering visitors a varied program covering the topics already mentioned. A special highlight will be the panel discussion on “Evolution - Revolution - Illusion”. We would like to draw an interim conclusion: Where does additive manufacturing stand almost ten years after the first AM Expo? Visitors can actively participate and submit questions in advance. The symposium will also highlight specific applications from the fields of mechanical engineering, robotics and, of course, medical technology - always with a focus on practical relevance and industrial feasibility.
What are you personally looking forward to?
I am particularly looking forward to the curious, open atmosphere at AM Expo. It is always fascinating to see how people from different industries come together here, exchange ideas and develop new ideas together. With AM Expo, we can achieve exactly that by bringing the right people together.
