Formnext 2021: Unveiling the Future of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Innovation

The wait is finally over! Next Tuesday marks the highly anticipated return of Formnext 2021 in Frankfurt, Germany. After an unprecedented 18-month absence from its physical halls, the premier global exhibition for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing is set to reopen its doors, welcoming the entire ecosystem of innovators, exhibitors, researchers, and visitors. This year’s event holds particular significance, serving as a crucial reunion point for an industry that thrives on in-person collaboration and tangible demonstrations of groundbreaking technologies. While the ongoing global health crisis may lead to a more pronounced presence of European players and a slight reduction in participation from American and Asian companies, the collective excitement remains palpable. The opportunity to reconnect, share insights, and witness the latest advancements firsthand is eagerly awaited by all. With approximately 600 exhibitors confirmed from November 16th to 19th, including a robust 55% from international origins, Formnext 2021 promises to be an encouraging testament to the resilience and growth of the additive manufacturing sector, despite the prevailing global challenges. But what exactly can attendees expect to discover at this pivotal edition? What new trends and solutions will take center stage?

Looking back at Formnext 2019, the event was a resounding success, unequivocally affirming the critical role and expanding influence of additive manufacturing across diverse industries. That year, a staggering 852 exhibitors and 34,532 participants converged upon Messe Frankfurt, showcasing the remarkable maturity and widespread adoption of 3D technologies. A significant highlight was the burgeoning importance of metal additive manufacturing, which demonstrated its potential for high-performance applications, alongside the increasing versatility of materials like silicone, ceramics, and advanced high-performance thermoplastics. For Formnext 2021, the narrative appears to shift towards a heightened emphasis on process automation, industrial scalability, and repeatability. This strategic focus reflects the industry’s ongoing transition from prototyping and niche production to mainstream industrial manufacturing. Companies are now keenly addressing the challenge of providing users with comprehensive solutions that not only enhance productivity but also consistently deliver reliable, high-quality results. The push for automation is paramount to overcoming bottlenecks and integrating additive manufacturing seamlessly into existing production lines.

The enthusiasm for Formnext 2021 is shared equally by both attendees and organizers. Sascha F. Wenzler, Formnext Vice President at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, eloquently articulated this sentiment, stating,“The amazing response we have seen from exhibitors and the AM industry as a whole, including those based outside of Germany, underscores the importance of Formnext as the leading international event in this sector and the strong appetite for coming together and interacting in person once again. It also demonstrates that this vibrant, in-person exhibition is crucial to a highly innovative industry like ours as a platform for showcasing innovations and discussing them with international industry professionals. It is the perfect springboard for getting future-oriented, sustainable technological developments off the ground.” Wenzler’s statement perfectly captures the essence of Formnext’s enduring value: it’s not merely a trade show, but a vital hub for fostering collaboration, accelerating innovation, and charting the course for the sustainable evolution of additive manufacturing. The desire for face-to-face interaction after such a long period is a powerful driving force, highlighting the irreplaceable nature of physical events for a technology-driven sector that thrives on demonstration, discussion, and direct engagement with cutting-edge solutions.

What’s New and Innovative at Formnext 2021

As is customary, Formnext consistently serves as the premier stage for groundbreaking product launches, innovative solution unveilings, and significant industry announcements, and this year’s edition is no exception. A multitude of machine manufacturers have seized this opportunity to introduce their latest advancements, promising to push the boundaries of what’s possible in additive manufacturing. Among the most anticipated reveals in the 3D printer segment, Nexa3D is poised to showcase its comprehensive suite of high-speed resin solutions, alongside a brand-new, more compact sibling. These offerings have been meticulously engineered with a clear objective: to facilitate the transition towards true mass production 3D printing, enabling higher throughput and greater efficiency for industrial applications. Similarly, Japanese manufacturer Mimaki will be making its mark with the introduction of its small-format material jet machine, the 3DUJ-2207, which is expected to offer exceptional color fidelity and detail for a wide array of applications, from medical models to educational prototypes, further expanding the versatility of their material jetting technology.

In the realm of extrusion technologies, critical for producing strong, functional parts, several key players are presenting significant updates. From the United States, Essentium will proudly exhibit its advanced HSE 240 HT Dual Extruder. This machine is designed to address the growing demand for high-temperature and high-performance engineering thermoplastics, providing manufacturers with robust tools for producing end-use parts with exceptional mechanical properties. Russian manufacturer Anisoprint will also be on hand, showcasing their PROM IS 500, a large-format composite 3D printer that boasts an impressive build volume of 600 x 420 x 300 mm. This system is geared towards delivering strong, lightweight composite parts, leveraging Anisoprint’s continuous fiber co-extrusion technology. Italian powerhouse Roboze is set to make a significant splash by debuting its monumental ARGO 1000, a large-format industrial solution that incorporates Roboze Automate. This integrated feature propels the automation of the printing process to new heights, streamlining workflows and enhancing reliability, making it ideal for demanding industrial environments where precision and efficiency are paramount for advanced material processing.

Expanding into metal additive manufacturing, the acclaimed electronics giant Ricoh is reportedly making a significant foray into metal binder jetting, with a brand-new machine expected to be prominently featured at its booth. This move could signal a major shift in the landscape of cost-effective metal part production. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to experience FuseLab’s FL300M, a highly anticipated machine finally reaching market after three years of intensive research and development. This innovative system is equipped with an exclusive extrusion technology specifically designed for the creation of intricate and robust metal parts. FuseLab’s approach aims to simplify metal 3D printing, making it more accessible and efficient for a broader range of industrial users. The introduction of these metal printing solutions underscores the industry’s relentless pursuit of faster, more efficient, and cost-effective methods for producing high-quality metal components, moving additive manufacturing closer to its full potential in mainstream industrial applications.

Continuing with the overarching theme of automation within the additive manufacturing process, Formnext 2021 will also highlight significant advancements in industrial post-processing solutions. These critical steps, often labor-intensive and time-consuming, are increasingly being automated to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the consistency of final parts. A prime example is Israeli manufacturer XJet, which will demonstrate its cutting-edge SMART machine. This system is specifically engineered to streamline and facilitate the notoriously challenging task of removing printing supports, a common bottleneck in many additive manufacturing workflows. By automating this process, XJet aims to significantly reduce post-processing time and labor, increasing overall productivity. Similarly, AM Solutions, a leader in post-processing technology, will be showcasing its latest innovations, including the revolutionary S1 Wet. This versatile machine is designed to efficiently remove residual powder from printed parts, homogenize surface finishes, and effectively smooth metal components, ensuring optimal quality and ready-to-use parts directly from the additive manufacturing process. These innovations in post-processing are vital for achieving industrial scale and consistency, making additive manufacturing a more viable option for high-volume production.

Adding an international flavor to this year’s event, attendees can look forward to a special focus on Italy, as it proudly serves as the first-ever European partner country for Formnext 2021. This partnership underscores Italy’s significant and growing contributions to the global additive manufacturing industry, showcasing its vibrant ecosystem of innovative companies, research institutions, and manufacturing capabilities. Prominent Italian companies such as Lincotek, a global leader in surface solutions and additive manufacturing services, Mimete, specializing in advanced metal powders, Roboze, known for its high-performance polymer solutions, and WASP, renowned for its large-scale and sustainable 3D printing technologies, will all be present. They will highlight Italy’s importance in the AM sector within a dedicated expo zone, offering insights into their latest developments and capabilities. Furthermore, Formnext Magazine will feature special presentations and content exclusively dedicated to the nation, providing a deeper dive into Italy’s impact and future potential in additive manufacturing. This country partnership fosters international collaboration and highlights regional strengths within the global AM landscape.

Conferences, Awards, and Industry Insights at Formnext 2021

Beyond the exhibition halls filled with cutting-edge machinery and materials, Formnext is also a vital platform for knowledge exchange, fostering discussions on real-world application cases and gathering invaluable feedback from leading industry experts. Throughout the four days of the event, a comprehensive program of conferences, workshops, and expert presentations will delve into critical topics shaping the future of additive manufacturing. These sessions offer unparalleled opportunities for attendees to gain deeper insights into technological trends, market developments, regulatory frameworks, and successful implementation strategies from various sectors. From discussions on advanced materials to the integration of AI in AM workflows, the agenda is packed with content designed to inform and inspire. We highly recommend consulting the detailed agenda HERE to plan your visit and make the most of these enriching learning opportunities.

A significant highlight of Formnext 2021 will be the recognition of emerging talent and groundbreaking innovations through several prestigious award ceremonies. The 7th edition of the highly anticipated Start-Up Challenge will culminate in the selection of its finalists on November 16th. This competition shines a spotlight on innovative young companies poised to disrupt the additive manufacturing landscape. Among the promising finalists are the Danish startup Atlant 3D Nanosystems, pushing the boundaries of atomic layer 3D printing; American innovators like Azul 3D, known for its high-area rapid printing technology; Fited, likely focusing on personalized medical solutions; and Print Parts, dedicated to quality assurance and digital manufacturing. Completing this impressive lineup is the Swedish startup Nobula, which is innovating in glass 3D printing. These startups represent the vibrant future of the industry, bringing fresh perspectives and disruptive technologies. Additionally, another esteemed award ceremony, the Purmundus Challenge, will celebrate the most innovative projects across a remarkably diverse range of sectors, including medicine, robotics, 4D printing, and virtual reality. This challenge seeks to honor projects that demonstrate outstanding creativity, technological feasibility, and significant potential impact. The winner of this prestigious challenge will be officially announced on November 18th, providing further inspiration and showcasing the expansive applications of additive manufacturing. These awards not only recognize excellence but also serve as a powerful catalyst for continued innovation across the entire additive manufacturing ecosystem.

The entire 3Dnatives team will be actively present in Frankfurt, dedicated to covering and sharing the very latest innovations and trends emerging from the additive manufacturing sector at Formnext 2021. We encourage you not to miss any developments by following our dedicated Formnext page, where we will provide comprehensive updates, interviews, and analyses throughout the event. We are eager to engage with our community: Will you be attending Formnext 2021? Share your thoughts, expectations, or experiences with us in a comment below or connect with us on our social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. For all the freshest 3D printing news delivered straight to your inbox every week, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here. Additionally, for focused updates specifically on Formnext, you can sign up for our dedicated, free Formnext newsletter here. We look forward to a successful and insightful Formnext 2021!

*Cover Photo Credits: Mesago / Mathias Kutt