On February 10, 2026, Matthias Hauer, German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), formally handed over the funding approval for the InnoWaerm project, coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT with technical support from Fraunhofer IMM. Backed with around €1.5 million through the BMFTR’s VIP+ validation […]
3D Printing Industry asked some of the most influential people in additive manufacturing to identity the near term trends in the 3D printing industry to watch for 2026. The annual 3DPI Executive Survey asks a cross-section of executives, technologists, service providers, and ecosystem builders to identify the near-term trends that will matter most over the […]
German ceramic 3D printing company Munich-based StoneFlower3D has launched a laboratory-scale 3D printer aimed at researchers working with concrete, mortars, clays and other mineral-based materials. The system handles both single-component and two-component formulations, with build volumes configured to order. Printable dimensions range from 50 cm to 300 cm across different axes, depending on the setup. […]
Quickparts, a global provider of advanced manufacturing solutions, has announced the introduction of two new high-performance plastics, DuraKor and ThermaKor, along with vapour smoothing as a standard surface-finishing capability. These additions aim to give customers seamless support across the entire product development lifecycle, from a single prototype to large-scale production. By offering these materials and […]
Starlab Space, a company developing a commercial space station to broaden research opportunities in low Earth orbit, has entered into a new collaboration with Auxilium Biotechnologies, a San Diego medtech startup. The collaboration will support regenerative medicine, implantable devices, and complex tissue engineering workflows while helping translate experimental biology into scalable orbital production. Orbital Bioprinting […]
Japan has approved its first two-story 3D printed reinforced concrete home, marking a milestone in earthquake-resistant construction. Built by Japanese construction technology company Kizuki, the new residence demonstrates that 3D printed structures can meet the country’s strict seismic standards, offering a viable alternative to traditional timber framing in one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions. […]
As US lawmakers consider bills that would require 3D printers to detect and block the production of firearm components, longtime 3D printing policy expert Michael Weinberg once weighed in again on a debate he has been part of for more than a decade. The OSHWA board member’s objection is not to gun control itself. Instead, […]
MIRNIX, a Czech startup, is using additive manufacturing to develop off-ice hockey equipment, focusing on solutions for gear storage, transport, and drying. The company recently received a CZK 5 million strategic investment from Josef Prusa, founder of Prusa Research, and former NHL player Radim Vrbata. The funding is intended to support production scaling, product development, […]
Thingiverse, one of the oldest and most visited libraries of downloadable 3D-print files, is being repositioned around creator monetisation, human-led curation and stricter handling of AI-generated uploads after its acquisition by MyMiniFactory (MMF). Romain Kidd, the newly appointed chief executive of Thingiverse and former MMF CEO, said the platform remains large by any consumer internet […]
MyMiniFactory, a curated 3D printing community where independent designers and brands sell digital models, has completed the full acquisition of Thingiverse from Netherlands-based 3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker. The move brings over eight million users into MyMiniFactory’s ecosystem and incorporates Thingiverse into its SoulCrafted platform, which emphasizes human-created designs, curated collections, and sustainable monetization. This integration […]
Small but influential digital supply chain startup collapses amid tightening capital and slower enterprise adoption A Dutch software company that sought to transform industrial supply chains through additive manufacturing has been declared bankrupt, underscoring mounting pressure on smaller players in the sector as capital tightens and adoption timelines stretch. Dimanex B.V., a Utrecht-based developer of […]
The additive manufacturing industry has spent two decades arguing about what’s possible. In 2026, the conversation has finally shifted to what’s survivable. Reviewing responses to our annual Future of 3D Printing executive survey provides unique insight into the direction of travel for the year and beyond. As in previous years, 3DPI asked leaders from across […]
Researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the IMDEA Materials Institute, in collaboration with German medical technology company Meotec, have developed a degradation-triggered 4D printing method that allows gradual, time-controlled shape changes using standard fused filament fabrication (FFF). Published in Additive Manufacturing, the study shows that hydrolytic degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) can be […]
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have developed a multi-agent, Large Language Model (LLM)-orchestrated workflow designed to automate early-stage alloy evaluation for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Reported in Additive Manufacturing Letters, the system integrates Thermo-Calc property calculations with an analytical melt pool model to generate lack of fusion (LoF) process maps for screening known […]
Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso, working with Sandia National Laboratories and FAR Associates, have developed a method to approximate the absorptivity of Inconel 625 during powder bed fusion by analyzing in situ radiation thermometry data collected during electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB/M). Reported in Additive Manufacturing Letters, the study shows […]
Researchers at Shenzhen University and partner institutions showed a way to reduce functional anisotropy in a 4D-printed high-entropy shape memory alloy (HESMA) by adding TiN nanoparticles during laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Reported in Additive Manufacturing Letters, the study shows that nanoparticle-driven grain refinement lowers both mechanical and shape-memory anisotropy, and that a short heat […]
U.S. defense weapon system Velo3D has been designated as the first approved additive manufacturing provider supporting the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center’s (GVSC) effort to accelerate the integration of qualified AM capabilities within the Defense Industrial Base. The selection expands an existing Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) between Velo3D and U.S. Army DEVCOM […]
restor3d, a specialist in 3D printed personalized orthopedic solutions, has announced the full commercial release of the Ossera AFX Ankle Fusion Cage System. The platform, designed to address complex ankle fusion cases, is now available in both standard off-the-shelf and custom made-to-order configurations. “We understand that every surgeon has unique preferences and approaches when it […]
In this edition of SLICED, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, we compile the latest developments across the additive manufacturing (AM) sector, including global distribution expansions, defense manufacturing trials, asset acquisitions, and aerospace qualification programs. In today’s digest, updates span regional reseller agreements, deployable cold spray repair for naval operations, polymer material validation for aerospace, […]
Predictable motion in soft robotics has traditionally depended on complex molds and multi-step fabrication processes, slowing design iteration and limiting customization. Researchers at Harvard University have now introduced a multimaterial 3D printing approach that embeds actuation directly into flexible structures during fabrication, allowing soft robotic devices to be produced with built-in, programmable movement. Reported in […]
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