When I stepped onto the Formnext floor this year, I secretly hoped it would be one of those years when something truly groundbreaking would happen.
But, it didn’t.
And honestly, that was the most interesting part.
When the industry sheds its adrenaline glow
In previous years, Formnext felt like a parade of big leaps, bold promises, new materials, and disruptive prototypes.
This year felt… different.
Not in a negative way – quite the opposite.
It was as if the industry finally put its feet back on solid ground.
This time, it wasn’t about revolutionary 3D-printed showpieces, but about technological maturity.
For the first time, the technologies felt truly established in areas where the boundary used to be stiff — tooling, large formats, and serious industrial processes.
- Surfaces are better
- Stair-stepping layers are less visible
- Parts look more industrial and less like exhibitions
All of this opens the door to a new way of thinking about tooling, especially when combined with additive technologies.
This isn’t a show anymore.
It feels like the industry is finally saying:
“Wake up — it’s for real now.”
Large-format platforms are no longer “owned” by FDM and Binder Jetting
One of the biggest shifts I noticed was the expansion of large platforms into other technologies.
FDM and binder jetting (sand printing) are no longer the only kings of large-format printing.
This year, HSS, SLA and SLM were running large platforms:
The surprise wasn’t the technologies themselves — it was how mature and production-ready they have become.
The industry clearly wants:
- bigger parts,
- bigger series,
and more professional use of 3D printing — not just for prototyping, but for real production.
Chinese manufacturers: a quiet but massive entry into Europe
The biggest change wasn’t technological — it was market-driven.
For the first time, I saw how aggressively Chinese manufacturers are entering Europe.
Huge stands. Attractive prices. Lots of attention.
But every single conversation eventually led to the same critical questions — the ones the industry too often forgets to ask in time:
- How reliable are these machines?
- What happens with spare parts in 3, 5 or 10 years?
- Who handles updates, calibration, and data security?
- Will this company still exist when service is needed?
- What will the resale value of these printers be?
Everyone knows the difference between “works today” and “it’s still working 10 years later”.
But oftentimes that difference is dangerously underestimated.
When cheap becomes expensive
I’ll admit — one thought followed me throughout the entire fair:
Industrial 3D printing is not “buy a machine”.
It’s an ecosystem.
An ecosystem made of:
- materials
- calibrations
- diagnostics
- software
- service cycles,
- data security
If the manufacturer disappears,
the entire system disappears with it.
And I have already seen too many companies lose tens of thousands of euros because of that.
That’s why I paid even closer attention to the manufacturers who truly stood out:
- long-term references
- standardized processes
- proven field use cases (not trade-show use cases)
- fast and reliable service
- real in-house R&D
Those are the manufacturers who will not only be here today, but also in a decade from now.
And they are the ones that make it far less risky when you eventually want to sell or upgrade your 3D printer.
Who will survive the upcoming market selection?
My personal prediction?
Many companies that shone this year
won’t exist a couple of years from now.
Why?
Because they lack R&D, long-term support, standardization, and a real vision.
Those who survive will be the ones who understand that industrial 3D printing is not a show —
it’s a marathon.
Conclusion: a year with less noise, but far more clarity
I didn’t see major breakthroughs this year.
But I saw something much more valuable:
An industry that is maturing.
And honestly, we needed that.
Less marketing.
More reality.
Fewer promises.
More proven reliability.
If you’re considering a new machine, my personal advice from this year’s Formnext is simple:
📌 Check the service network
📌 Check spare-parts availability
📌 Check the TCO — total cost of ownership, not just the price
📌 Don’t underestimate data security
📌 And ALWAYS check real industrial references — not just polished demo parts
And above all:
Choose a partner, not a printer.
