Final week, over 500 exhibiting firms and over 15,000 attendees converged on Detroit’s Huntington Place for RAPID + TCT 2025. Regardless of uncertainty round shifting tariff insurance policies and unstable inventory markets, a way of cautious optimism was evident on the present flooring.
Many agreed that the business has entered a brand new stage of maturity, the place hype is fading and sensible functions and person worth are taking middle stage. The main focus of the present additionally shifted away from flashy product launches, and whereas RAPID + TCT 2025 featured a number of new techniques (detailed under), they performed a smaller function than in earlier years.
Learn extra information from RAPID + TCT 2025
Steve Prahalis, Chief Working Officer on the occasion organizer SME, recognized that earlier exhibits noticed many “massive and exquisite cubicles” designed to fulfill shareholders and one-up rivals. He believes this mentality has ceased, with firms extra targeted on demonstrating how they tackle buyer challenges.
The general sentiment on the present mirrored a acutely aware shift from revolution to evolution, with much less urge for food for disruption and technological improvements. In the course of the government views panel on day one, EOS President Glynn Fletcher argued that the business ought to shift from “cool” to “cost-effective” as a result of “cool will not be a enterprise mannequin.” He expressed the necessity for the 3D printing business to “match into the larger image of producing” and transfer from an “adversarial business” to a “complementary business.”
Different panelists emphasised the significance of collaboration. Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, CEO of Materialise, believes that “collaboration can actually drive progress.” SME’s Prahalis shares this imaginative and prescient. He advised me, “The hype cycle’s over, we must be real looking. We have to collaborate.”
This was echoed by Stratasys’ CEO Yoav Zeif, who warned towards inside competitors between additive manufacturing firms. As an alternative, he argued that “the competitors is the established order.” For Zeif, delivering worth, assembly half necessities, and reducing the full value of possession are vital to rising 3D printer adoption. “We have to deal with adoption, not hype,” he added. “If we focus and collaborate, we are going to win.”
RAPID + TCT 2025: Insights from the occasion organizers
SME is a nonprofit group with a mission to advertise developments and improve the adoption of additive manufacturing. 2025 marks 35 years since SME hosted its first “RAPID” convention in 1990, targeted on fast prototyping and stereolithography. Over three many years later, the annual occasion has grown into North America’s main additive manufacturing commerce present.
This 12 months’s occasion noticed RAPID + TCT co-locate with SME’s AeroDef Manufacturing, SAE Worldwide’s World Congress Expertise (WCX) mobility present, and America Makes’ Technical Assessment & Trade (TRX). Angie Szerlong, SME’s Group Director for Additive Manufacturing, referred to as this collaborative strategy “a really massive spotlight” for this 12 months’s expo. She referred to as the occasion “a mega place for all manufacturing teams to come back collectively and expertise all completely different elements of the availability chain.”
Prahalis echoed this sentiment. He revealed that the co-location helped elevate 2025 to the “largest RAPID we’ve had.” This 12 months’s 15,000 attendees grew from round 9,000 final 12 months. It included over 10,000 attending primarily for RAPID + TCT, 1,000 for AeroDef, 4,000 for WcX, and round 500 for the TRX program.
Co-location additionally displays a rising effort to combine 3D printing with broader manufacturing, improve usability, and ship worth for patrons. Prahalis referenced the robust consensus amongst business executives to “break into manufacturing” and “not simply sing the praises” of 3D printing. He famous that additive manufacturing occasions have beforehand been predominantly attended by “AM lovers” who’ve already purchased into the expertise, stunting scalability.
SME hopes to extend additive manufacturing’s presence at different business occasions, for instance, IMTS and FABTECH Expo. Rising visibility will “get the final manufacturing viewers to grasp the impression of AM,” added Prahalis. As a part of this mission, SME is working to combine 3D printing into its Manufacturing Know-how Sequence of expos and conferences. Prahalis additionally shared his imaginative and prescient for co-locating with different impartial manufacturing exhibits in future iterations of RAPID + TCT. He in contrast this strategy to the “Costco mannequin,” permitting guests from all verticals to get probably the most worth from their journey to the exhibition middle.
New 3D printers unveiled at RAPID + TCT 2025
Whereas RAPID + TCT 2025 was not as launch-heavy as earlier iterations, a number of cubicles hosted new 3D printer bulletins.
Massachusetts Institute of Know-how (MIT) spinout Speedy Liquid Print (RLP) attracted loads of consideration by unveiling its new Levity Machine. Set to start delivery subsequent 12 months, the brand new system options the corporate’s patented “gravity-free” 3D printing expertise.
RLP’s expertise was first showcased at Design Miami 2017. It permits delicate, pliable silicone elements to be “drawn” inside a gel suspension. The injected materials is held in place as it’s cured at room temperature, eradicating the necessity for assist buildings. Based on RLP’s CEO and Co-founder, Schendy Kernizan, this course of will increase sustainability as a result of customers “solely 3D print the fabric that they want.”
The brand new Levity Machine can shortly fabricate large-scale elements with versatile, elastic properties. Initially designed for 3D printing furnishings, Kernizan stated RLP now focuses on medical functions corresponding to orthotics and prosthetics. The Boston-based firm has additionally expanded into large-scale gasket and sealing parts for the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
Standing within the bustling RLP sales space, Kernizan expressed his pleasure on the “wonderful” suggestions his crew obtained throughout RAPID + TCT 2025. “It’s displaying that we’re fixing the issues which have been requested when it comes to velocity limitations and half high quality,” he added. “Our purpose is to offer folks the chance to convey this expertise into their manufacturing facility flooring, and to go from prototyping to full manufacturing with the identical machine.”
Stratasys as soon as once more stood out with one of many largest cubicles at RAPID + TCT. Based on the corporate’s Chief Enterprise Unit Officer and President, Wealthy Garrity, exhibiting at North America’s major additive manufacturing expo continues to repay. “It’s been an incredible present to date,” he advised me. “We had, I believe, 40% extra leads on day one than a 12 months in the past.”
In the course of the present, the corporate offered its new Neo 800+ large-format SLA 3D printer, first introduced throughout the AMUG 2025 convention within the week earlier than the Detroit occasion. The up to date system options Stratasys’ ScanControl+ scanning expertise, reportedly accelerating 3D printing speeds by as much as 50%. Vacuum System Safety, Z-Stage Collision Detection, and stay environmental monitoring options are additionally included to reinforce half high quality and improve uptime.
On the Stratasys sales space, guests may additionally get hands-on with elements 3D printed utilizing the corporate’s new PolyJet ToughONE photopolymer resin. This high-strength materials delivers the mechanical efficiency for purposeful prototypes and end-use elements. ToughONE presents the very best impression resistance and shock absorption of any PolyJet materials. As such, it carefully mimics the properties of sturdy plastics like HDPE, PP, PBT, PC-ABS, PC, Nylon 12, and Nylon 6.
The patron resin 3D printer market additionally witnessed a brand new addition in Detroit. Shenzhen-based Elegoo revealed the Jupiter 2, a brand new LCD 3D printer that includes a 14-inch, 16K decision display and upscaled 302.40 x 161.98 x 300.00 mm construct quantity. Designed to instantly tackle suggestions from Elegoo’s buyer base, the Jupiter 2 incorporates a modular design and LCD display that may be swapped in 10 seconds. A 2kg removable resin dealing with system has additionally been added to automate materials feeding and recycling.
Coco Lee, Elegoo’s Model Director, defined that whereas the Jupiter 2 will proceed to serve the corporate’s core base of entry-level customers, it has additionally been optimized for prosumers. Its elevated construct quantity expands Elegoo’s attain to these eager to fabricate massive elements, obtain higher-quantity manufacturing runs, and entry improved floor decision. The desktop 3D printer’s worth is but to be revealed, with shipments set to start in Q3 2025.
One other Chinese language firm that launched new {hardware} was Shanghai-headquartered Raise3D. The corporate has entered the SLS 3D printing market with its RMS220 3D printer. That includes a 220 x 220 x 350 mm construct quantity, 75-watt fiber optic laser, and as much as 30,000 mm/second scanning velocity, the system presents a most throughput of two.2 liters per hour. Two swappable construct chambers are included to maximise productiveness and assist batch manufacturing functions.
Ruben Nigaglioni, Raise3D’s Gross sales Director, defined that the RMS220 hopes to extend adoption by providing a “cost-effective solution to get into industrial SLS 3D printing.” He added that combining a low worth with superior options helps the RMS220 differentiate throughout the industrial 3D printer market. Pre-orders are anticipated to open in Q3 2025, with the primary techniques being shipped the next quarter. Prospects can buy the 3D printer alongside Raise3D’s cleansing unit for de-powdering, and a sand-blasting unit for post-processing.
RAPID + TCT 2025 additionally witnessed new developments in metallic 3D printing. Notably, Florida-based ADDiTEC launched the Fusion S vary, marking its entry into the metallic laser powder mattress fusion (LPBF) market. The corporate’s compact Fusion S 3D printer and Fusion Cabin unpacking station make the most of a completely enclosed cartridge system. This permits customers to soundly transport 3D printed elements between machines with out instantly contacting the powder, eradicating the necessity for PPE and stopping materials contamination. That includes a 200 W laser and 50 µm welding spot, the Fusion S can fabricate elements with 10-50 µm layer thicknesses at as much as 5 m/s.
Collectively, each items are priced at round $150,000, making them an economical choice within the LPBF area. ADDiTEC CEO Brian Matthews stated the compact system is optimized for dental, medical, jewellery, and small aerospace elements. Its low value and streamlined workflow additionally make it engaging to universities and analysis establishments. Though it debuted in Detroit, Matthews reported that the Fusion S has already obtained “an enormous variety of quotations” from clients. The British-born CEO plans to construct a world distribution community for the Fusion S by 12 months’s finish.
German metallic 3D printer producer Ponticon showcased a number of elements fabricated utilizing pE3D, its ultra-high-speed, laser DED system. This method includes a distinctive tripod kinematic structure. A stationary nozzle combines with a fast-moving construct platform and precision-firing laser to 3D print at as much as 200 meters per minute. The high-power laser melts the metallic powder or wire feedstock, creating molten metallic which is deposited onto the construct platform layer by layer.
Based on Dr. Simone Maffia, Head of Utility Improvement, Ponticon’s expertise is 200 instances sooner than most DED rivals, which might solely produce elements as much as two meters per minute. He additionally highlighted the pE3D’s potential to manufacture high-precision metallic elements with partitions as skinny as 0.4 mm. This makes it nicely fitted to aerospace, protection, and commodity functions. Each Ponticon system is personalized for the client and their particular software wants.
Enhancing AI course of monitoring in additive manufacturing
3D printing software program at RAPID + TCT 2025 witnessed a powerful deal with course of monitoring optimized by synthetic intelligence (AI) and machine studying.
One such exhibitor was Interspectral. Primarily based out of Norrköping, Sweden, the corporate presents AM Explorer. This course of monitoring and high quality assurance software program is optimized for metallic additive manufacturing. Based on CEO Isabelle Hachette, the corporate has made personalized installations of its AI-powered defect detection software program with metallic 3D printer OEMs. She added that these “deep integrations” cowl 60-70% of the metallic LPBF 3D printer market, together with EOS, Colibrium Additive, AddUp, Velo3D, and Nikon SLM Options’ NXG XII 600 vary.
AM Explorer makes use of stay 3D printing information and AI evaluation to observe the construct course of and detect defects in real-time. Its built-in AI fashions are educated to identify anomalies and set off alerts and corrective actions. Customers can view defects layer by layer by means of stay visualization, enabling fast identification and response. That is particularly worthwhile for high-volume runs utilizing expensive metallic powder. “We will filter out the dangerous parts from the nice ones in a construct job,” stated Hachette. The software program can then ship an alert to pause the construct and counsel changes to the method, like re-coating or altering the laser energy.
Based on Hachette, the corporate’s modular, vendor-specific AI structure is exclusive amongst 3D printing software program. “There is no such thing as a one else that has this modular AI structure,” she defined. “We will calibrate and use completely different AI fashions for particular techniques, so we are able to actually customise.”
One other emergent firm within the AI course of monitoring software program area is Euler. The Icelandic startup presents AI-powered defect detection for LPBF and SLS 3D printing. Its device makes use of 3D printing digital camera information and AI algorithms to unlock automated evaluation with out the necessity for costly monitoring tools. It might probably detect half defects, predict 3D printing failures, and spotlight widespread points like uneven powder distribution, unfinished layers, and burns.
At RAPID + TCT 2025, Euler launched its course of monitoring device for EOS 3D printers. The plug-and-play software program installs in beneath 5 minutes and requires no calibration, in response to the corporate. Finnish metallic 3D printing service supplier Delva will use Euler’s device to spice up the effectivity of serial manufacturing with its EOS techniques.
The present additionally noticed Phase3D introduce a brand new model of Fringe, its metallic 3D printing in-situ inspection platform, for chilly spray additive manufacturing. Known as Fringe Inspection: Chilly Spray, the brand new device was supported by $1.25 million from the Air Power Analysis Laboratory (AFRL).
Phase3D’s newest providing leverages structured mild to seize floor information and measure every construct layer, figuring out defects corresponding to cracking, cratering, and pitting. The software program additionally evaluates the flatness and form of deposited metallic, permitting engineers and technicians to regulate parameters extra successfully. Fringe Inspection: Chilly Spray has already been examined by the College of Dayton Analysis Institute (UDRI) and evaluated in an operational surroundings at Ellsworth Air Power Base.
Away from 3D printing software program, Hexagon’s upcoming Leica Absolute Tracker ATS 800 3D scanner seeks to reinforce high quality inspection and digitization in large-scale manufacturing. The brand new system stands out due to its spectacular scanning attain, with the ATS 800 able to capturing information at distances as much as 40 meters. It combines direct scanning and reflector monitoring expertise to cut back the necessity for up-close scanning operations, that are impractical and unsafe for large-scale elements.
Joel Martin, Hexagon’s Director of Product Gross sales Administration, defined that these capabilities are nicely suited to “something that’s massive” in industries like aerospace, protection, shipbuilding, nuclear and wind power manufacturing, and agriculture.
Martin emphasised that the ATS 800 stands out for its exact edge measurement capabilities. Most standard scanners solely seize the final level earlier than dropping off an edge. Nonetheless, Hexagon’s ATS 800 measures throughout the laser beam itself, not simply on the floor contact level. This permits customers to measure deep inside options that have been beforehand unreachable. “Nothing else exists the best way this factor does,” Martin stated.
Because the solar set on the ultimate day within the Motor Metropolis, three themes stood out: collaboration, buyer worth, and functions. Zeif referred to as it a “decisive second” for 3D printing. Trade leaders agreed, arguing it’s time to maneuver previous the hype and combine with broader manufacturing to succeed in market maturity.
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Featured picture exhibits Huntington Place, Detroit. Picture by 3D Printing Trade.