CHATSWORTH, CA, Feb 8, 2012 – The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) today announced its lineup of keynote speakers for its annual conference, which will be located in Costa Mesa, California, from April 22 through 26. For more information, click here. The keynote speakers include Todd Grimm, president of T. A. Grimm & Associates, Jeff DeGrange, Stratasys’ vice president of direct digital manufacturing, and Dr. Ofer Shochet, Objet’s executive vice president of research and development.

Grimm will open the event with his presentation “Fountain of Truth: Connecting with Those that Know.” Grimm is a 22-year veteran of the additive manufacturing industry. He is a consultant, speaker and author, as well as editor for Engineering.com.

DeGrange will represent Diamond Sponsor Stratasys with an engaging presentation titled “Technology Transition to Production.” He will discuss how rapid prototyping technologies have evolved over time to meet the requirements of production parts. DeGrange joined Stratasys in 2008 after spending twenty years at The Boeing Company where he led innovative material and process techniques in the areas of additive manufacturing, reverse engineering and advanced manufacturing.

The TCT Magazine listed both DeGrange and Grimm in its 2005 “Top 25 most influential people in rapid product development and manufacturing.”

Dr. Shochet will represent Diamond Sponsor Objet with his presentation titled “Multi-Material 3D Printing and the Digital Material Revolution,” which will cover the past, present and future of this unique additive manufacturing capability. Dr. Shochet has lead Objet’s product development efforts for three years. With a PhD in physics, he has 20 years of experience in high-tech, both as a senior executive for large corporations and as a founder of startup ventures.

“Inspiring, informative and educational,” Gary Rabinovitz, AMUG president, said of the keynote speakers. “We are ecstatic to have these gentlemen kick off the conference.“ He continued, “These keynotes will be followed by a jam-packed conference agenda that won’t give attendees a moment to rest.”

The five-day conference will feature expert presentations, breakout sessions, workshops, hands-on training and technical competitions. Attendees will also be treated to a two-night Exhibitor Expo and an Awards Banquet gala.

ABOUT AMUG

AMUG, formerly 3DS Users Group (3DSUG), is an organization that educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. The transition to AMUG supports the expansion of the user group to include all commercial additive manufacturing technologies for companies such as 3D Systems, EOS, Objet Geometries, Stratasys and Z Corporation. AMUG meets annually to provide a forum for technical presentation on processes and new technologies. This information addresses operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the applications that use the parts they make. Online at www.am-ug.com.