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Most Exciting Things We Found at Formnext 2025
Every year at Formnext you feel the pulse of where the industry is heading, and 2025 was no different. Walking the halls, a few applications genuinely stopped us in our tracks. They were clever, ambitious, and in some cases a…
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Every year at Formnext you feel the pulse of where the industry is heading, and 2025 was no different. Walking the halls, a few applications genuinely stopped us in our tracks. They were clever, ambitious, and in some cases a little unexpected, which is exactly what makes this show so fun to cover. Here are the highlights that stood out to us this year.
Large-format AM pushed the boundaries of scale this year, and the CEAD and Faber Navalis collaboration was a perfect example of what is now possible. They showcased a fully 3D printed boat hull produced in a single weekend, built using an automated workflow and CEAD’s HDPro material to create tough, impact-resistant structures. The result was a 5.78-meter fishing vessel that looked surprisingly sleek given its size and the speed at which it was made. It was one of those classic Formnext moments where you catch yourself asking, “wait… this is actually printed?” and suddenly rethink what large-scale AM can do.
More from the desk
Six other notes from the rest of the bench.
ApplicationsFord Makes 3D Files Available to Customize Your MaverickAt the beginning of the year, the car manufacturer Ford introduced its brand new pickup truck, the Maverick, a hybrid vehicle that aims to be both accessible and practical. It performance has already gained it fans among many drivers, but…
NewsElon Musk Hopes to Enable Human Reproduction on Mars With 3D PrintingNo, this is not the plot of the latest sci-fi film. Elon Musk, the famous U.S. tycoon, now known for his recent entry into U.S. politics, unveiled on March 31, along with four other companies, including bioink manufacturer Bio Poisson…
ApplicationsRedwire Has 3D Bioprinted the First Human Knee Meniscus in SpaceWhen it comes to innovation in outer space, additive manufacturing is on the front lines as we continue to push boundaries while exploring the final frontier. Indeed, the flexibility and ability to produce locally are two of the main reasons…
MaterialsNew 3D Printed Metamaterial Could Revolutionize Aircraft and Rocket Parts ProductionRepeatedly, researchers draw inspiration from nature to drive innovation. Recently, we highlighted the development of a novel 3D printing technique by researchers inspired by chameleons. Similarly, the Fraunhofer Institute is exploring insect-inspired wood binders for 3D printing
ApplicationsFurthering Bioprinting with Innovative New PrintheadsWhen we talk about recent innovations in the medical sector, one subject that often comes up is bioprinting. Defined as the utilization of 3D printing techniques to combine cells, growth factors, and or biomaterials to make biomedical parts, the concept…
News3Dnatives’ Parent Company SPE to Merge with Plastics Industry AssociationThe Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), which has been the parent company of 3Dnatives since 2023, announced today that their Board of Directors has voted to join forces and merge with the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). This union of two…