Innovations, large formats, and new user industries

Text: Thomas Masuch

Takeaway 6: Large-format 3D printing is booming 

One of the visual highlights of Formnext 2025 featured the components spanning several meters that were on display at the booths of CEAD, Caracol, CMS, Rapid Fusion, Yizumi, and other providers of LFAM (large-format Additive Manufacturing) technology. The exhibits even included luxury boats, some of which were converted into a kind of meeting room. The Polish company Fanum also printed boat hulls from polystyrene and stacked up several prototypes at its booth over four days of the trade fair, forcing it to pause its hybrid gantry system because there would not have been enough space otherwise, as CTO Szymon Skorupski explained. Fanum is a good example of the development of this still-young subsector of AM: The medium-sized company actually has its roots in machining, but discovered 3D printing a few years ago. It has already developed a number of applications and is continuing to develop further applications for its technology together with other Formnext visitors. 

Meanwhile, LFAM was not only a hit in the polymer sector at Formnext: MX3D, WAAM3D, and Gefertec showcased exciting applications in metal, and Caracol has also successfully entered the metal sector with its Vipra system. 

LFAM constantly opens up new possibilities. Images: Thomas Masuch 

Takeaway 7: Industry remains highly innovative

Even though the AM world is focusing even more strongly on specific applications – and ultimately on generating revenue – the industry remains enormously innovative. Proof of this can be seen in the plethora of product launches, with the premieres of the H2C Bambu Lab and the EOS M4 Onyx certainly attracting the most attention in 2025. While Bambu Lab combines “engineering precision” with its new multi-material printer, EOS promises significantly higher productivity, reliability, and cost efficiency with its new system, the successor to the EOS M400-4. In addition, there were numerous other new systems, materials, software, and post-processing solutions, as well as new AM marketplaces. (We already published a wide selection in our preview of Formnext 2025.) In addition, numerous equipment manufacturers presented updates to their existing machines. Overall, it became clear that many of the innovations were developed for very specific applications and market segments in which they offer real added value. Another factor was the further increase in efficiency, which has been achieved not only in new machines, but also by solutions that improve the entire workflow.

Takeaway 8: Asia establishes itself as strong competition

Asian AM companies have staked out positions as major players and serious competitors in many segments. In addition to their technologically advanced machines (which are usually available at significantly lower prices), many companies have improved their service in these important markets, including by establishing locations in Europe and the US. While the AM market in Asia is growing rapidly, competitive pressure remains high – particularly in China, which is prompting many Chinese suppliers to focus even more strongly on the West as a sales market. Here, the US customs issue has made Europe increasingly attractive. Conversely, it is difficult for Western suppliers to benefit from growth in Asia. Some established equipment manufacturers have completely given up their sales efforts in China due to the lack of opportunities. However, Exentis Group AG recently proved that it can still work in Asia: Just two weeks after Formnext, the Swiss specialist in 3D screen-printing technology announced the sale of 10 systems worth around CHF 18 million (around EUR 19.2 million) to a customer in Asia.