3D printing has moved from gadgets to functional goods: advanced materials guarantee strength and durability. On-demand and local production reduces costs, times and environmental impact, offering customized and sustainable objects for everyday use.

Nourished produces 500,000 custom 3D gummies per day. Raised £14 million to expand in the USA, India, and the Middle East. Proprietary seven-layer technology and algorithms generate unique formulations from an online questionnaire. Scalable model between e-commerce and pharmacies.

Amnovis acquires Westconn and opens a production unit in Indiana mirroring its Belgian facility for 3D printing of orthopedic devices. By replicating the end-to-end process (design, additive manufacturing, certification) near Warsaw, the capital of US orthopedics, it ensures homogeneous quality and FDA compliance for the American market.

PowTReX automates the recovery of metal powder in additive manufacturing with closed cycles, ultrasonic screening, and safe transport. It guarantees quality, operator protection, and compatibility with major 3D printers.

Comparison between Craftcloud, Xometry and HP MJF Service for on-demand additive manufacturing. No absolute winner: the choice depends on volumes, delivery times, total costs and certifications. For small batches, outsourcing is more economical, while in-house production is only worthwhile above specific volume thresholds.

Automation in custom prosthetics is now a necessity. Integrating design, production, and support removal with end-to-end digital workflows guarantees scalability, repeatable quality, and regulatory traceability, from dental labs to complex hip prostheses.

Tsinghua University's DISH technology revolutionizes volumetric 3D printing by eliminating layering. It uses holographic light fields and wave optics to print millimeter objects in 0.6 seconds with a uniform resolution of 19 μm over 1 cm of depth. Ideal for biomedicine and microfluidics.

4D Printing: smart materials that autonomously transform over time through external stimuli and AI. In medicine, orthopedic scaffolds and devices self-assemble within the body. The healthcare market will reach $4.7 billion by 2034.

Breathable steel is a microporous material that allows gases to escape during injection molding, eliminating defects and voids without compromising mechanical strength. It is produced via metal 3D printing with foaming agents.

Colossal Biosciences has developed artificial eggs with 3D-printed shells and silicone membranes: 26 chicks have hatched. The technology aims to save endangered species and bring back the giant moa, whose eggs no living bird can incubate.

A new patent uses frequency control to optimize de-powdering in 3D printing: 30% reduced times, greater repeatability and transferability between machines. It requires sensors, but the ROI is 2-5 years for complex components.

In 2026, 3D shoes become industrial reality: Zellerfeld, PollyFab and others offer production platforms, AI design and dedicated materials. From custom footwear to orthopedic soles, the industry abandons experimentation for scalable models and digital customization.