The additive manufacturing sector is experiencing a shift: from growth based on volumes to a strategy focused on margins, vertical specialization, and operational optimization. Companies like Materialise demonstrate how consolidation and attention to profitability, rather than expansion, can guarantee positive cash flows and solid financial positions, even

New plug-and-play optical interface developed with 3D printing enables high-efficiency connections between optical fibers and integrated photonic circuits, with losses of only 0.78 dB. Thanks to polymer structures created via two-photon polymerization, the system offers passive alignment, compatibility with standard MTP cables, and stable performance over broad bandwidth, paving the way for photonic systems

The Breast Cancer Locator by Cairn Surgical is a customized 3D guide obtained from magnetic resonance imaging to precisely locate breast tumors during lumpectomies. Created using 3D printing with biocompatible materials, it improves surgical margins, reduces reoperations, and offers millimetric positioning of the guide wire and dye. The device, created based on the anatomy

PreFlight is a new open-source slicer for FFF/FDM developed by oozeBot, designed to overcome the architectural limitations of traditional software. With a native 64-bit architecture and modern stack (C++20, OpenCASCADE, CGAL), it aims to ensure greater reliability, precision, and scalability in professional slicing. It introduces advanced features such as Athena Perimeter Generator and Interlocking Per

New entry-level LPBF systems, such as Metal-Base, make metal 3D printing accessible to startups and labs with costs under €10,000, thanks to innovative technologies, compact design, and open-source software.

The PowTReX by Volkmann is an advanced system for the automated management of metal powders in additive production. It integrates pneumatic transport, ultrasonic sieving, and automatic recovery in a closed, explosion-proof environment, ensuring safety, material quality, and production continuity. Ideal for scalable industrial contexts and multi-supplier environments, it supports various metal allo

The filed patents improve dust control in metal 3D printing, monitoring its characteristics and flow in real-time to adapt process parameters. This reduces waste, improves layer quality and increases repeatability, with positive impacts on costs and production times.

The TCT Awards 2026 highlight the growing role of additive manufacturing in strategic sectors such as aerospace, defense, and automotive, with projects that integrate optimized structures, advanced materials, and cross-sector collaborations.

Hybrid metal-polymer FDM extrusion allows printing parts with metallic properties using composite filaments, without complex post-processing. It combines ease of use and safety, reducing costs and production times. Ideal for rapid prototyping and production of complex metal components in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and tooling.

3D printing is revolutionizing the development of hypersonic vehicles, reducing costs and production times. Programs like the Pentagon's HyCAT focus on rapid and reusable test platforms, such as Hypersonix's DART AE demonstrator, entirely 3D printed. Additive manufacturing allows for complex geometries and the use of advanced materials resistant to high temperatures, accelerating

HP MJF Technology revolutionizes industrial production, enabling flexibility, lead time reduction, and digital warehousing. Ideal for sectors such as aerospace, defense, medical, and data centers, it allows for on-demand production of custom components, improving supply chain resilience and reducing costs. Integration with traditional processes and the use of advanced materials make

Self-produced design for micro-companies: operational playbook to bring an idea from prototype to sale, with a focus on workflow, accessible tools, and integration between production and branding. A methodical approach to building a scalable and sustainable business.