|

Keynote Presentations and Discussion Forum to Highlight Inaugural SPIE 3D Printing for Lighting Conference

July 11, 2023

In August, the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in conjunction with SPIE, will kick off the first conference to explore the opportunities and challenges of 3D printing for the lighting industry. The conference will set the stage for discussions about the future of 3D printing for lighting components and systems through more than 30 research and state-of-the-technology presentations, as well as discussion and networking events. The 3D Printing for Lighting conference, to be held as part of SPIE Optics + Photonics 2023, the leading multidisciplinary optical sciences and technology meeting, will take place August 22-23, 2023, at the San Diego Convention Center.

Over the course of two days, experts from both lighting and 3D printing/additive manufacturing industries will present technology overviews, experiences, and detailed research regarding 3D printing methods, materials, and testing for lighting systems and optical, electronic, and thermomechanical components. Highlighting the conference will be two keynote presentations and an evening discussion forum that will cover the big picture as it relates to moving the lighting industry forward toward easily customizable lighting and a sustainable, cost-effective manufacturing model.

Keynote Presentations at SPIE

Opening the conference on August 22 will be Govi Rao, CEO of Phase Change Solutions, a smart materials company working to solve critical energy, environmental, and social challenges. Mr. Rao, who is serving as a conference chair, will present his talk, “Industry 5.0 – Radically Transforming the Lighting Value Chain,” discussing the potential impact of 3D printing on lighting industry stakeholders and exploring scenarios and strategies to survive and succeed amidst tectonic changes in the value chain.

On the evening of August 22, Mr. Rao, who has broad experience in LEDs and the lighting industry’s transformation, will moderate a special forum to discuss the evolution and forward momentum of 3D printing as one of the key drivers in transforming the lighting supply chain. Participants will discuss how the future of the lighting industry may be shaped by 3D printing and how to define a roadmap for this transformation.

Closing the conference on August 23 will be Dr. Samuel T. Mills of Eaton Research, the research arm of Eaton Corporation. Dr. Mills, who is serving as a conference co-chair, will present his talk, “Additive Manufacturing of Efficient, Custom, and Cost-Effective Luminaires.” His presentation will discuss luminaire design and manufacturing challenges when using traditional design, tooling, and fabrication methods, the advancement of digital tools that support the use of additive manufacturing, and the benefits of additive manufacturing in developing and deploying a custom solution to illumination.

Professor Nadarajah Narendran, Ph.D., director of research at Rensselaer’s LRC and a SPIE Fellow, initiated this conference to help bring awareness about the potential benefits of 3D printing of lighting and its ability to transform the lighting industry.

“By hosting this event with SPIE, we hope to engage a large audience of lighting and 3D printing industry professionals who have a shared interest in 3D printing of lighting components and systems, and who can work together to advance research in this field,”

Professor Nadarajah Narendran, Ph.D.
director of research at Rensselaer’s LRC and a SPIE Fellow

All those interested in 3D printing and the future of lighting are encouraged to attend. The 3D Printing for Lighting conference program is available online, and registration for the conference is now open.

More information available here

Related Article

SPIE: 3D Printing for Lighting Conference

The Lighting Research Center has initiated the first 3D Printing for Lighting Conference, SPIE Optics + Photonics, to explore additive manufacturing and 3D printing for the lighting industry.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    At the crest of False Creek, Tesoro stands as a contemporary interpretation of classic luxury, offering 92 exclusive waterfront homes in the heart of Vancouver. Developed by Concert Properties, this 17-story residential tower embraces a distinctly modern character, harmonizing sleek design with timeless sophistication. The vision for Tesoro extended beyond its architectural presence—it was about… Read More…

  • LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    For anyone seeking high-performance lighting that blends elegance with engineering, Estiluz offers an exceptional range of solutions. This Spanish brand, family-owned since 1969, creates lighting that balances form, function, and flexibility, making it ideal for both bold architectural statements and subtle design enhancements. At LightForm, they are proud to be the exclusive Canadian distributor of… Read More…


New Products

  • Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting is excited to announce the release of its new Taji luminaire. Taji’s captivating design features high-performance optics and enhances a variety of aesthetics. Taji’s distinctive, stylish silhouette and slender lines are a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous dome luminaire. The unique flared form maintains a slender, minimalist feel yet provides high-performance optics. The… Read More…

  • Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton has announced the launch of the Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer (D2710), expanding its comprehensive Wi-Fi lighting and load control solutions that work with the My Leviton app. As the first Matter-compatible 0-10V smart dimmer, the new 120V/277V device makes it easy to add 0-10V dimming to smart platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon… Read More…