Formnext 2019: Unveiling the Future of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Innovation

Formnext stands as the undisputed global epicenter for additive manufacturing, a powerhouse event that consistently gathers thousands of international industry players and solidifies the crucial role of 3D printing technologies across diverse industrial sectors. For five consecutive years, this premier exhibition has served as a vital platform for showcasing groundbreaking innovations, fostering collaboration, and driving the adoption of additive solutions worldwide. The 2019 edition, held from November 19 to November 22 in Frankfurt, Germany, marked a significant milestone, not only by its continued growth but also by introducing a pioneering partnership. For the first time in its history, Formnext designated a partner country, placing the USA squarely in the spotlight for this momentous fifth iteration. This strategic alliance brought forth several dedicated spaces, specialized conferences, and a heightened focus on American innovation within the additive manufacturing landscape. Attendees were also keenly anticipating the robust presence of metal additive manufacturing, with numerous cutting-edge machines and processes slated for their grand debut. Formnext 2019 promised an immersive experience into the cutting edge of 3D printing, offering invaluable insights into its evolving trends and future trajectory.

The rapid expansion and increasing influence of Formnext are clearly demonstrated by its impressive statistics. In the previous year, Formnext 2018 hosted 632 exhibitors and welcomed over 27,000 participants across a vast 37,000 square meter exhibition space, firmly establishing its position as the leading trade fair in the additive manufacturing industry. Building on this success, the fifth edition in 2019 showcased even more remarkable growth. To accommodate the surging interest and the record number of participants, the event strategically expanded into two new exhibition halls, increasing the total exhibition area to an expansive 50,000 square meters. This substantial expansion was necessary to host an anticipated 800 exhibitors, a significant increase from the previous year, and tens of thousands of attendees. Among these exhibitors, a remarkable 285 companies were presenting their additive manufacturing solutions for the very first time, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative technologies from every corner of the globe. The international appeal of Formnext was further underscored by the fact that 50% of the exhibitors hailed from outside Germany. Following the host nation, the most prominently represented countries included China, the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands, highlighting the truly global reach and collaborative spirit of the additive manufacturing community converging in Frankfurt. This global representation, combined with the groundbreaking partner country initiative, underscored Formnext’s unparalleled status as a hub for international innovation and business in 3D printing.

The United States: Partner Country for the 5th Edition of Formnext

A significant highlight of Formnext 2019 was the groundbreaking decision to feature the United States as the official partner country – a first in the exhibition’s history. This partnership underscored the strong ties and collaborative potential between European and American additive manufacturing sectors. The U.S. presence was robust and highly visible, with over 50 prominent American exhibitors showcasing their cutting-edge solutions. Industry giants such as Carbon, renowned for its innovative DLS technology, HP, a major player in both polymer and metal 3D printing, and 3D Systems, one of the pioneering forces in the industry, led the charge. Their participation exemplified the diverse and advanced nature of American contributions to additive manufacturing. Beyond individual company exhibits, the United States was celebrated through a series of dedicated activities and insightful conferences held throughout the show. The pinnacle of this celebration was the special ‘Formnext Partner Country USA Day,’ organized on Wednesday, November 20. This dedicated day offered attendees a unique opportunity to delve deeper into American innovation. Approximately ten highly innovative U.S. companies were given the spotlight during dynamic pitch sessions, where they presented their latest additive manufacturing solutions and visions for the future. The day culminated in an exclusive evening event hosted by AMUG (The Additive Manufacturing Users Group), providing an invaluable networking platform for U.S. and international professionals to connect, share ideas, and forge new partnerships. This concentrated focus on the U.S. ecosystem facilitated a deeper exchange of knowledge and strengthened cross-continental collaborations within the additive manufacturing sphere, showcasing the American drive for innovation and market leadership.

The American presence extended beyond individual companies to include several influential industry associations, further enriching the collaborative environment. Key organizations such as The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), which champions the interests of U.S. manufacturing technology builders, and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a global leader in engineering standards and education, were actively involved. Their participation facilitated discussions on industry standards, workforce development, and future technological roadmaps. Naturally, AMUG (The Additive Manufacturing Users Group), a cornerstone community for additive manufacturing professionals, also played a crucial role in fostering engagement. Attendees had the unique opportunity to meet representatives from these associations and a wide array of other American players at the dedicated USA pavilion, located in Hall 12.0, stand E101. This centralized hub served as a focal point for networking, exchanging insights, and exploring potential partnerships with leading American innovators and thought leaders. The concentrated presence of U.S. companies and associations underscored the nation’s significant contribution to the global additive manufacturing landscape, making Formnext 2019 an unparalleled platform for transatlantic engagement and collaboration in 3D printing.

Metal Additive Manufacturing Innovations at Formnext 2019

Metal 3D printing technologies continued to dominate discussions and exhibition floors at Formnext 2019, showcasing remarkable advancements and a growing market maturity. This edition highlighted a significant expansion in the capabilities and accessibility of metal additive manufacturing, with numerous machines making their debut. The influx of new players and innovative processes demonstrated a clear trend towards making metal AM more viable for a broader range of industrial applications. Among the exciting introductions were companies like Meltio, which unveiled its unique 3E Metal Deposition process. This novel technology promised enhanced efficiency and flexibility in metal part production, drawing considerable attention for its potential to transform existing manufacturing workflows. Another notable entrant was the Israeli startup Tritone, which introduced its own innovative approach to metal additive manufacturing, aiming to address specific challenges in precision and material versatility. The German company One Click Metal, a spin-off from the established industrial laser specialist Trumpf, also made a strong impression. Their strategic objective was to democratize metal laser 3D printing, making it significantly more accessible to a wider market, particularly targeting the education, R&D, and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) sectors. Launched in April 2019, this ambitious startup generated considerable buzz with the announcement of a metal 3D printer priced below an impressive $100,000, a price point previously unheard of for such advanced technology. This focus on affordability and ease of use signals a major shift in the metal AM landscape, promising to unlock new opportunities for adoption.

The expansion in metal 3D printing continued with established manufacturers also pushing the boundaries of their offerings. The Italian manufacturer Sharebot, well-known for its polymer 3D printers, made a significant foray into the metal additive manufacturing market with the introduction of its first MetalOne machine. This innovative system is based on the highly precise Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology, a cornerstone of high-quality metal part production. The MetalOne was engineered to provide superior control over the printing chamber environment, a critical factor for consistent and high-quality metal prints, and was announced to be compatible with widely used industrial metals such as 316L stainless steel and cobalt-chrome alloys, essential for applications in medical and automotive sectors. Furthermore, the Chinese manufacturer Shining 3D leveraged Formnext 2019 as a strategic platform to significantly expand its range of metal additive manufacturing solutions. They unveiled their new EP-M250 Pro, a sophisticated dual-laser 3D printer. The inclusion of two lasers dramatically enhances printing speed and efficiency, while its substantial build volume of 262 x 262 x 350 mm caters to the production of larger and more complex metal parts. Adding to the diversity of innovations, the Dutch company Admatec showcased its latest machine, the ADMAFLEX 300. This highly flexible production solution stood out for its unique capability to process both metals and ceramics, offering unprecedented versatility for manufacturers seeking advanced material properties. The ADMAFLEX 300 further cemented the trend of multi-material compatibility and high-performance capabilities within the metal AM space, highlighting the industry’s continuous evolution towards more versatile and efficient manufacturing solutions.

New 3D Printing Materials: Polymers in the Spotlight

While metal additive manufacturing undeniably commanded a significant portion of the spotlight at Formnext 2019, the realm of polymers continued to demonstrate its robust market position and dynamic evolution. This year’s exhibition was a testament to the ongoing innovation in polymer materials, with numerous manufacturers showcasing advanced thermoplastics and photopolymers engineered for unparalleled mechanical properties and specialized applications. The demand for high-performance polymers that can withstand extreme conditions, offer specific functionalities, or provide superior durability is consistently growing, and Formnext 2019 delivered on these expectations. A prime example of this innovation was the collaboration between Cubicure and Evonik, who together presented their revolutionary Evolution FR resin. This groundbreaking material marked a significant achievement as the first flame-retardant photopolymer specifically developed for Stereolithography (SLA) technologies that achieved UL94 V0 certification. This certification is critical for applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics, where fire safety standards are paramount, opening up new frontiers for SLA 3D printing.

On the filament front, innovations were equally impressive, particularly for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and similar extrusion-based technologies. SABIC, a global leader in diversified chemicals, in partnership with Roboze, a specialist in high-performance 3D printing solutions, unveiled an amorphous thermoplastic polyimide. This advanced material boasted an exceptional ability to withstand temperatures up to 230°C, making it ideal for demanding industrial applications requiring high thermal stability and mechanical strength. French company Armor 3D, under its Kimya brand, introduced its PEBA-S Kimya filament, an innovative elastomer specifically engineered for applications where lightness combined with flexibility and excellent mechanical rebound is critical, such as in sports equipment, prosthetics, and soft robotics. Furthermore, Kimya’s high-performance PEKK-A material continued to gain traction. This semi-crystalline thermoplastic, known for its outstanding chemical resistance, high-temperature performance, and mechanical properties, was highlighted for its expanding compatibility across a wider range of industrial 3D printers. Notably, PEKK-A was officially approved for use on 3DGence’s new INDUSTRY F420, a robust industrial 3D printer that itself made its highly anticipated debut at Formnext 2019. These material innovations collectively underscore the continuous drive to expand the capabilities and application scope of polymer 3D printing, enabling engineers and designers to tackle increasingly complex challenges with tailor-made solutions.

Beyond the impressive array of exhibitors and hardware, Formnext 2019 also served as a critical intellectual hub through its extensive conference program. These conferences were meticulously organized with the primary objective of presenting the latest evolutions in additive manufacturing, exploring its diverse applications, and identifying emerging trends that will shape the industry’s future. The program featured a distinguished roster of speakers, including representatives from major global corporations such as BMW, Procter & Gamble, and Audi Sport. Their presence underscored the growing adoption of additive manufacturing in mainstream production and provided invaluable insights into real-world industrial implementation, challenges, and successes. Attendees had the unique opportunity to learn directly from these industry leaders about how 3D printing is being integrated into various manufacturing processes, from prototyping to end-use parts, and how it is driving innovation in product design and supply chain optimization. The conference tracks covered a wide spectrum of topics, including design for additive manufacturing, material science advancements, post-processing techniques, quality assurance, and the economic implications of industrial 3D printing. For those eager to delve into the finer details of the exhibition and to explore the full conference programme, all practical details were conveniently available on the official event website HERE. Formnext 2019 truly encapsulated the dynamism and transformative potential of additive manufacturing, providing a comprehensive overview of its present state and a compelling glimpse into its future trajectory.