3D Printing & Additive — April 14, 2026
3D Systems is set to unveil a major new high-throughput production platform and factory software suite at RAPID + TCT 2026 in Boston, targeting industrial-scale additive manufacturing. Stratasys announced new polymer materials and warped-modeling software ahead of the same event. Meanwhile, Nike's Air Max line, defense contracts, and post-processing advancements round out a busy week for the industry.
3D Printing & Additive — April 14, 2026
Key Highlights
3D Systems Targets Production Scale With New Platform and AddiTrak Software
In the biggest announcement of the week, 3D Systems revealed a new high-throughput additive manufacturing platform and next-generation factory software ahead of its unveiling at RAPID + TCT 2026 in Boston. The new system offers a 22% larger build volume and up to 25% faster print speeds, while the new AddiTrak software gives manufacturers on-premises fleet monitoring for production lines — a capability aimed squarely at factory-floor deployment rather than prototyping labs.
Stratasys Announces New Polymer Materials and GrabCAD Software Update
Stratasys is also preparing for RAPID + TCT with a fresh slate of new polymer 3D printing materials. The company also introduced a new Measurement-Based Warped Modeling software feature to GrabCAD Print Pro — a tool designed to compensate for part warping during printing, which has been a persistent challenge for industrial polymer parts.
Nike Uses 3D Printing for Air Max Collection
Nike Sportswear is leveraging additive manufacturing as part of its Air Max line, highlighted in this week's 3D Printing News Briefs. Alongside energy application updates and military/defense contract news, Nike's use of 3D printing for footwear continues to signal the technology's growing role in consumer product manufacturing.
AM Solutions Focuses on Post-Processing at MACH 2026
At the upcoming MACH 2026 trade fair, AM Solutions is putting post-processing of 3D printed parts front and center — making the case that finishing and surface treatment are no longer afterthoughts in the additive manufacturing workflow but critical, integrated steps in production.
HP's Industrial Vision at Additive Manufacturing Strategies 2026
A new analysis spotlights HP's strategic direction for industrial-scale 3D printing as outlined by HP's Arvind Rangarajan at Additive Manufacturing Strategies 2026. The piece characterizes this as a "pivotal moment" in HP's path toward production-scale adoption of its Multi Jet Fusion technology.
Purple Platypus Becomes National Reseller for Formlabs
California-based additive manufacturing distributor Purple Platypus has been confirmed as a national reseller for Formlabs 3D printing systems. The agreement expands Formlabs' distribution reach across the U.S. market.
Additive Manufacturing Market Projected to Reach $32.54B in 2025, Soaring Beyond
A new market analysis report places the global additive manufacturing market at $32.54 billion in 2025, with projections pointing to significant growth through 2034. The report cites industrial adoption, aerospace, medical, and energy applications as key growth drivers.
Analysis
The most significant development this week is 3D Systems' double-down on production-scale manufacturing. With a 22% larger build volume, 25% faster speeds, and the new AddiTrak on-premises fleet monitoring software, the company is making a direct play for manufacturers who need to run additive systems like factory equipment — not just prototyping tools. The addition of on-site software (rather than cloud-only) addresses real concerns about data security and latency in industrial environments. Combined with Stratasys' simultaneous push to solve warping issues via Measurement-Based Warped Modeling in GrabCAD, the week's news suggests RAPID + TCT 2026 in Boston will be unusually heavy on production-readiness stories rather than prototype-showcasing. The gap between "3D printing as a design tool" and "3D printing as a manufacturing line" is closing fast — and it's closing from the software and process-reliability side, not just the hardware side.
What to Watch
- RAPID + TCT 2026 — Boston. Both 3D Systems and Stratasys are unveiling new platforms and materials at this event; expect additional announcements from other major players in the coming days.
- MACH 2026 — AM Solutions is showcasing post-processing integration; this trade fair will be a key venue for European industrial additive manufacturing news.
- Formlabs distribution expansion — Watch whether Purple Platypus's national reseller role accelerates Formlabs' penetration into sectors like dental, medical, and engineering services.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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