The last ten years have been characterized by incredible technological evolution. No longer a far-off promise for the future, AM is now a reality in numerous industries. In medical technology, patient-specific implants and biocompatible structures are helping people achieve a new quality of life. In the aerospace and automotive industries, AM is creating lighter, more efficient, and more sustainable components. And in mechanical engineering, locally made parts are revolutionizing production.
But with progress comes new challenges. The sector faces the task of industrializing AM solutions further, increasing supply chain flexibility, and making the technology more accessible to SMEs. Plug-and-play is not yet a reality; instead, complex, individual solutions dominate the space. This is exactly where Formnext comes in: We combine horizontal and vertical perspectives, demonstrate real-world applications, and promote knowledge-sharing across sectors with the aim of driving AM ever further.
Our 2025 anniversary issue is more than just a retrospective – it's a look at what’s ahead. With new formats, inspiring presentations, and a strong focus on user industries – ranging from aerospace, automotive, mechanical engineering, medical technology, security and defense, and tool and mold making to consumer goods, construction, jewelry, and many more – we create space for reflection and visions for the future. Formnext remains not just a trade fair, but a true platform, a source of inspiration, and a home for the global fAMily.
When we look back on 20 years of Formnnext in 2035, we will perhaps point to today as the moment when AM finally went from being a fascinating process to a tool we started taking for granted; an instrument that has changed products, industries, and our very lives.
There’s plenty of room for you to join us on this journey! Let us surprise, inspire, and excite you at Formnext’s 10-year anniversary in Frankfurt am Main.
Sincerely,
Sascha F. Wenzler
Vice President Formnext
