Following a new edition of Formnext in FrankfurtThe general feeling among exhibitors and visitors has been that Additive manufacturing has definitely entered a phase of maturityThe event, considered for years the major European meeting point for the sector, has served to gauge the pulse of a market that, despite the unstable international context, continues to advance steadily and with an increasingly industrial orientation.
For four days, thousands of professionals toured the halls of Messe Frankfurt to discover new machines, materials, software solutions, and real-world applications in fields as diverse as architecture, construction, healthcare, transportation, and fashion. All this in an environment where Europe maintains a leading role, while Asia gains ground in desktop equipment and high-volume solutions.
An edition marked by data and international presence
The event figures confirm that Formnext remains the world leader in additive manufacturingTens of thousands of visitors passed through the turnstiles of the venue, with a significant percentage coming from abroad, consolidating Frankfurt as the annual capital of 3D printing. The exhibition space once again occupied around 50.000m², with several pavilions dedicated to specific technologies, materials and applications.
Although there was a slight decrease in the number of exhibitors compared to the previous edition, the density of new products was high and it was noticeable a renewed interest in truly production-ready solutionsAmong the stands, there was no shortage of big European names in the sector, but also a growing presence of Asian manufacturers, especially in the polymer desktop printer segment.
In this edition, the space dedicated to architecture and constructionThe event, coordinated by BE-AM, showcased structures made with recycled concrete and plastics, including pieces crafted from fishing nets and organic waste. This type of initiative aligns with the general trend towards more sustainable and circular solutions, very present in the speeches of the European exhibitors.
The fair also reserved space to recognize projects and companies through the traditional Formnext Awards, with categories focused on design, innovation, sustainability, and startups. These awards reinforce the event's role as a showcase for startups and emerging developments that seek to position themselves in the additive manufacturing value chain.
Metal and robotic processes: the big industrial bet
One of the clearest lines that has been reinforced in this edition is that of metal for additive manufacturing. Numerous exhibitors presented new machines designed to produce metal parts with higher volume, greater repeatability, and a clearly industrial focus. The priority is no longer just demonstrating that the technology works, but scale up production with guarantees of quality and stability.
The booths showcased systems capable of manufacturing large components, with build volumes exceeding one cubic meter in some cases. This increase in size is accompanied by improvements in dust management, thermal control, and automation, all aimed at reduce preparation, post-processing and machine downtime, something fundamental for the aerospace, rail or heavy machinery sectors.
The other major focus was on the robotic processes with polymersSeveral European manufacturers, particularly Italian ones, showcased solutions based on robotic arms that extrude technical materials—including recycled or fiber-reinforced plastics—to create large-format structures. These robotic cells, often integrated into containers or mobile systems, are geared towards industry, construction, and the creative sector.
The combination of advanced extrusion, high-performance materials, and robot movements provides a flexible alternative for manufacturing large parts in demanding production environments. This trend connects with the demand for more versatile solutions, capable of adapting to unique projects without sacrificing productivity.
The Asian push in desktop 3D printing
While touring the pavilion dedicated to desktop solutions, it became clear that Asian manufacturers have consolidated their position In the affordable 3D printer segment, especially for polymers, stands like those of Bambu Lab, Creality, Anycubic, and PioCreat attracted a steady stream of visitors interested in increasingly powerful machines for office environments, small workshops, or prototyping labs.
This presence adds to that of other industrial manufacturers of Asian origin, which are also gaining ground in metal and advanced polymers. In contrast, European and North American brands are reinforcing their strategy in software solutions, process integration, and specialized applicationswhere the accumulated experience in regulated sectors remains a compelling argument.
In parallel, a certain trend toward concentration and readjustment is perceptible in the Western market, with the absence of some historically prominent firms. This reconfiguration creates space for new players and, at the same time, compels European companies to to differentiate themselves through quality, service and adaptability to complex industrial environments.
Anycubic: Desktop manufacturing with factory ambitions
Among the most talked-about new products in the desktop sector was the proposal from Anycubic, which was presented in Frankfurt. Three teams designed to bring the logic of production closer to the workbenchThe company showcased two advanced FDM systems — the Kobra S1 Max and Kobra X — along with its new flagship resin printer, the Photon P1.
La Kobra S1 Max It is positioned as a large-format CoreXY platform, with a print volume of 350 × 350 × 350 mm and a combination of heated chamber, hotend up to 350 °C and high-temperature bed, designed for engineering materials such as PC, PA, ABS and fiber compositesIn addition, there is an improved control system and advanced self-leveling functions, which aim to facilitate intensive and stable use.
For its part, the Kobra X It refines the concept of multi-color printing with a single nozzle, significantly reducing purge material and changeover time between colors. It supports up to 4 standard colors, expandable to more than a dozenWith compatibility for material combinations such as PLA with TPU or PVA, the machine is geared towards users who need visually complex parts without sacrificing functionality.
In resin, the Photon P1 It incorporates elements typical of industrial equipment in a desktop format. It accepts high-viscosity resins and uses a dual-platform, dual-reservoir system for bi-material printing, in addition to an optical assembly designed to offer high light uniformity and very precise repeatability on the Z axisThe intention is to go beyond aesthetic figures or prototypes and enter into the production of small batches of functional parts.
Overall, Anycubic's offering reinforces a clear trend in the market: Desktop printers are getting closer and closer to the performance of industrial equipment, both in stability and material compatibility, while maintaining more affordable prices.
Creality: AI, creative ecosystem and workshops in Europe
Another of the busiest stands was Creality's, which Formnext took advantage of to strengthen its ecosystem of AI-based hardware, software, and servicesThe Chinese firm unveiled a new generation of products and tools that aim to simplify the creation experience for users of all levels.
Among the equipment displayed, the following stood out: Ender-3 V4, an evolution of one of the brand's most popular ranges, with improvements in stability, intelligent operation and multi-multi capabilitiesThe laser system was added to it. Falcon T1, a 5-in-1 solution capable of engraving, marking, carving, coloring and cutting at high speed on a single platform.
Creality also showed the solution Sermoon P1 3D Scanner, which combines laser scanning with advanced connectivity to achieve high-level digitization, and the function CubeMe AI, integrated into Creality Cloud, which generates custom 3D models from photographs, automating part of the design process.
Beyond hardware, the company organized workshops with European designers and teachers Under the motto “AI + 3D Printing”, the focus is on how these tools can transform learning, modeling, and creation in 3D. These activities reinforce the idea that, in the European market, training support and the exchange of experiences are almost as important as the machines themselves.
The stand was completed with a futuristic-looking installation and interactive zones that allowed visitors to test the solutions and better understand the entire flow, from idea to finished object, within the Creality ecosystem.
PioCreat: dental, medical and industrial solutions
Among the exhibitors focused on professional applications, PioCreat took advantage of its presence in Frankfurt to showcase a 3D printing ecosystem that integrates hardware, software, materials, and automationThe company segmented its offering into four main lines: dental, medical, industrial, and consumer.
In the field dentalThe protagonist was the PioNext Mini, an ultra-compact resin printer designed for clinics that need portable and fast equipment. Its dual-tank system allows combining an accelerated printing mode for crowns—with times on the order of minutes—with another mode geared towards high transparency pieces with a superior surface finishreducing the subsequent polishing work.
For the sector orthotics and prosthetics doctorPioCreat showcased the MS01 SE and IPX2 printers. The former is designed to manufacture one-piece corsets, prosthetic sockets, and plantar orthotics, utilizing a high-temperature nozzle and high volume to produce large devices in just a few hours. The latter, the IPX2, focuses on the production of custom insoles using specialized TPU extrusion and dual station designs to print a couple of templates in a short amount of time.
In the ground industrialThe G5 Ultra represented a commitment to high-speed thermoplastic pellet extrusion, a method that allows for reduced material costs and the use of higher-performance polymers. This approach is particularly interesting for European companies seeking to combine productivity, sustainability and flexibility in their manufacturing lines.
Finally, regarding consumption, the HALOT-X1 Combo It was presented as a high-resolution resin printer that was ready to use right out of the box, without any complex initial setup processes. This type of solution brings quality 3D printing to non-expert users, something that fits well with the demand from creative labs, educational centers, and small design studios.
Goeroptics and the race for optical precision
Beyond printers and materials, one of the key aspects for improving quality in additive manufacturing is the optical technology behind light exposure and scanning systemsIn this field, Goeroptics debuted at Formnext, presenting a new light engine module for DLP 3D printing and several 3D vision solutions.
Its next-generation DLP UV light engine incorporates a state-of-the-art DMD chip, with 4K resolution, high output power, and a combination of high contrast and uniform lighting Designed to improve both printing accuracy and speed. Compatibility with different field sizes and UV wavelengths allows its use in printers for sectors as varied as footwear and consumer goods.
In addition, there are light engines for 3D scanning, also based on structured projection, capable of capturing complex geometries with great detailThe range is completed by industrial laser modules with very uniform line distribution, geared towards dimensional inspection tasks in environments such as electronics or battery manufacturing, areas with a strong presence in Europe.
These solutions show that, behind the most visible equipment, there is a chain of specialized technology providers that contribute to the continued growth of 3D printing. reliability and metrological control, two aspects that are increasingly demanded by European industry.
Software, automation, and connected workflows
If anything became clear at this edition, it's that additive manufacturing is no longer understood solely as an isolated machine. Companies like Materialise They presented significant advancements in software platforms for controlling the process from start to finish. Their CO-AM environment, now expanded with new Professional, NPI, and Enterprise configurations, relies on low-code automation layers so manufacturers can design and adjust specific workflows for your plants.
The presence of cloud-based solutions, such as the CO-AM Build platform, and modular build processors reinforces the trend toward open systems, capable of integrating equipment from different manufacturers and adapting to complex configurations. This approach fits particularly well with European multi-sectoral environmentswhere different technologies coexist on the same line.
Other players also used Formnext to showcase improvements in automation and ease of use. HP, for example, entered the high-performance filament extrusion segment, incorporating elements of its previous experience at MJF in terms of thermal control and automated flows. XJet, meanwhile, presented a new machine that expands its technology. NanoParticle Jetting to a wider audience, with management of up to four materials in a single job.
In metal, EOS took a step forward with multi-laser systems aimed at increase performance and improve powder handlingAlthough some of these innovations are incremental, a clear direction is evident: more sensors, more data integration, and less manual intervention, with the goal of ensuring repeatable and traceable processes.
Giant large-format printing presses and hybrid machines
Among the teams that attracted the most attention were, once again, the large format 3D printersThese machines, capable of manufacturing parts several meters in size, demonstrate the potential of combining large volumes, advanced materials, and precise controls.
In the field of construction, systems such as Crane WASP They exemplify the commitment to printing with concrete, plaster, or earth-based mixtures to build walls, structures, and even entire houses. Although the machine displayed at the fair was only part of the complete setup, the message is clear: additive manufacturing applied to construction is no longer an isolated experiment, but an expanding field of work.
Other large-format proposals, such as Moi's HFP or FANUM's latest system, rely on materials like reinforced resins or expanded polystyrene foams to create large-scale molds, sculptures, and prototypesThese solutions are especially interesting for European sectors such as automotive, ephemeral architecture, or the shipbuilding industry.
One striking case was the system MULTIAX HYBRIDXThis system combines extrusion-based 3D printing with precision milling on a single platform. These hybrid machines allow for the rapid printing of an approximate geometry followed by machining of critical areas, reducing handling times and improving accuracy without changing equipment.
The system also aroused interest Cerberus by Rapid FusionA large-format machine installed in a standard container, with three coordinated heads for pellet extrusion, filament extrusion, and milling. This approach aims for more flexible, transportable manufacturing capable of adapting to different projects on-site or in the plant.
Applications that set the course: from ship hulls to stealth drones
Beyond the technical specifications, Formnext has established itself as the place to see real-world applications that showcase the potential of additive manufacturingIn this edition, several of them particularly stood out due to their scale, complexity, or impact on key sectors in Europe.
In the mobility and maritime sector, a collaboration between CEAD and Faber Navalis presented a fully 3D printed boat hullIt was manufactured in a single weekend using an automated workflow and high-performance materials. The result was a functional vessel that opens up new possibilities for the rapid fabrication of marine structures.
In aerospace, the turboprop engine Catalyst GE demonstrated how metal additive manufacturing helps consolidate parts, reduce weight and simplify assemblyApproximately one third of its components are 3D printed, using advanced alloys and powder bed fusion processes that are already approaching mass production.
Fashion also had its place with designer footwear produced using additive manufacturing technologies, combining rigid printed heels with flexible grid structures that improve comfort. This type of project reinforces the idea that 3D printing is not only useful for technical parts, but also for high value-added consumer products.
In the field of new techniques, Rapid Liquid Print's gel printing process demonstrated how it is possible to manufacture full-size cushions, seats, or helmet liners in relatively short times, without the need for support structures. This approach opens the door to custom end-use parts which would be very difficult to achieve with traditional methods.
Finally, one of the most discussed examples was a bio-inspired drone manufactured with laser sinteringDesigned to fly like a real bird with remarkable stealth, the drone's use of reinforced polymer powders resulted in a lightweight, rigid, and highly optimized structure, demonstrating how generative design and additive manufacturing fit naturally into the development of unmanned vehicles.
Maturity, adoption and challenges for the next edition
The conversations held between exhibitors, integrators, and users all converged on one idea: The market is not in a phase of explosive growth, but rather in a process of consolidation.The priority is no longer so much to show spectacular prototypes, but to present reliable solutions for specific use cases, with clear business models and measurable returns.
Although some familiar names reduced their presence or opted for a low profile, the atmosphere in the aisles was generally optimistic. Many exhibitors, including several European ones, highlighted the quality of the conversations and interest in real-world implementation projectsbeyond mere technological curiosity.
Additive manufacturing still represents a relatively small part of the overall manufacturing landscape, but its integration with established processes—such as machining, molding, and casting—is gaining ground. We are seeing more and more of it. hybrid solutions and workflows that combine the best of both worlds to obtain more complex, lightweight, or customized pieces.
Between now and the next edition, the challenges include Increase automation, reduce costs, improve sustainability, and continue developing standards that facilitate adoption in regulated sectors. At the same time, competition between regions and manufacturers will remain intense, especially in the desktop and compact production solutions segment.
The impression remains that Formnext maintains its role as a major European showcase for 3D printing and that, despite the understandable caution of the moment, additive manufacturing continues to advance towards a deeper implementation in the industrysupported by increasingly mature technologies, compelling applications, and an ecosystem that strengthens year after year.
