Ed Fries to keynote the RAPID/3D IMAGING conference

DEARBORN, Mich — Ed Fries, a former Microsoft vice president who lead development of both Word and Excel before creating Microsoft’s Xbox video game group and then founded his own 3-D imaging company FigurePrints, and his partner Dan Iosch, an executive with years of printing and graphics experience, will keynote the RAPID/3D IMAGING conference, May 18 - 20 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

FigurePrints uses 3-D color printing technology to bring video game characters to life. Customers include Activision Blizzard for figurines of the characters in World of WarCraft, an online MMO played by millions of gamers worldwide.

Attendees at the RAPID/3D IMAGING conference, a Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) event, being held this year in California for the first time, will be able to evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts and make valuable contacts.

RAPID/3D IMAGING, is still accepting submissions for speakers who can illustrate the many new uses for additive manufacturing technology. The opportunity to speak has been extended for abstract review and consideration. Interested speakers can find more information at www.sme.org/rapid.

RAPID/3D IMAGING will offer informative technical sessions and workshops as well as exhibits for buyers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling, and direct manufacturing equipment. Additive manufacturing, a rapidly expanding area, has applications being found in new industries every year. Technical sessions this year will explore use in Aerospace & Defense, Entertainment (including games), HealthCare and Sports & Recreational Equipment.