The additive manufacturing industry is evolving towards greater maturity, with a focus on specific skills, production, and customer interaction. An increasing number of professionals is changing the job market, making hiring more selective and promoting internal skill development.

Implementing a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) model in the industrial sector requires a structured approach that goes beyond online sales, integrating design, production, and logistics into an end-to-end workflow. Success depends on the governance of distributed capacity, secure digital platforms, and transparency in processes. Cases like Polymaker and Juise Mobility show how DTC, if well pro

Titanium metamaterials, thanks to their nature-inspired geometric structure realized with SLM 3D printing, absorb energy more efficiently and predictably than traditional materials. Designed to distribute stresses homogeneously, they offer a stable stress plateau during deformation, ideal for structural safety applications in the aerospace field

Entry-level desktop 3D printing offers low costs but presents limitations in quality, materials, and reliability compared to industrial systems. Compromises on advanced materials, post-sales support, and longevity make a careful evaluation of actual production needs necessary before purchase.

Investors in additive manufacturing are increasingly focusing on operational efficiency and solid business models, leaving technological speculation behind. Businesses with stable contracts, sustainable margins, and the ability to generate real value in the production chain are being rewarded.

Mass customization is now possible thanks to additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and parametric design. These technologies allow for the production of thousands of customized variants while maintaining efficiency and margins, overcoming the limits of traditional production. The integration of software toolchains and automated processes enables the management of variability without au

Aibuild OS is an AI platform that unifies the engineering workflow, integrating CAD, CAE, and CAM into a single intelligent environment. It eliminates fragmentation between tools, automates complex processes with “Digital Engineers,” and generates 3D models from text or 2D inputs, reducing errors and production times.

The industry is implementing bio-based sustainable materials on a large scale, integrating responsible agricultural supply chains, technological innovation and circular economy. Projects such as Pragati, Bio.3DGREEN and Virtucycle demonstrate how sustainability and industrial performance can coexist, thanks to strategic partnerships and standardization.

A new innovative method enables the automatic identification of 3D printed parts directly using CAD models, without the need to retrain machine learning models. Developed by KU Leuven, Materialise, and Iristick, the system leverages geometric representations and few-shot learning techniques to classify new parts quickly and efficiently, reducing times and

Chemical vapor is revolutionizing the post-processing of 3D parts, offering smooth, waterproof, and repeatable finishes without material removal. Automated technologies like AMT PostPro eliminate production bottlenecks, reduce costs, and improve mechanical properties, making additive production scalable and certifiable for demanding industries.

The Additive Manufacturing Alliance, born from the union of Leading Minds and AM I Navigator, promotes the industrial integration of additive manufacturing through structured governance, standardization, and operational support.

Implementing the digital thread in additive manufacturing is now an operational necessity, no longer a futuristic vision. Multi-CAD integration requires reliable solutions to overcome interoperability barriers, ensure traceability, and maintain data consistency throughout the entire production cycle. Case studies and best practices show how middleware, clear governance, and hybrid toolchains can