📰 Industry News (Launches, Investments, M&A)
INNOSPACE Launches AM Division for Rocket Parts
South Korean rocket startup INNOSPACE launched an in-house Advanced Manufacturing Division to 3D print its own rocket engines and key components, cutting production costs by up to 50%. The division also achieved ISO/ASTM 52941 certification—first in Korea.
Comau & Roboze Strategic Alliance
Comau and Roboze are teaming up to integrate industrial robots with high-performance 3D printers, offering agile, on-demand manufacturing solutions for aerospace, racing, and more. Read the full announcement.
Tempus 3D Wins Green Grant
Tempus 3D received C$250,000 via the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund to develop recycling processes for 3D printing waste in British Columbia.
UK Aerospace Boost
The UK government announced over £250 million in green aerospace investments at the Paris Air Show, including additive manufacturing for large aerostructures and hydrogen aviation components. More here.
🧪 New Product & Technology Announcements
Formlabs: New Resins + Software Updates
Formlabs launched Color Resin V5 and True Cast Resin. Color Resin V5 lets users print in any HEX-matched color, while True Cast is designed for clean burnout in investment casting. PreForm software also got major upgrades including face-specific texturing.
3DXTECH Launches 3DXLabs
3DXTECH now offers early access to experimental filaments via its 3DXLabs beta program. This helps power users shape the future of engineering-grade filaments. Learn more.
Thingiverse Redesign
Thingiverse rolled out a major overhaul featuring a new logo, faster search (with filters and Boolean operators), AI content labels, and one-click slicing with Cura, Orca, or PrusaSlicer.
Phase3D Launches New Site
Phase3D upgraded its site and online store for “Fringe” – a real-time layer-by-layer inspection system compatible with systems like the EOS M 290. Now it’s easier to quote and install AM monitoring.
Multi-Material Ceramic AM at IPM
Czech Academy of Sciences’ IPM installed a Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30 printer. It will be used to develop piezo-sensing bone implants and embedded ceramics for aerospace.
📏 Regulatory & Standards Developments
ASTM Manufacturer Certification for AM
ASTM International launched a dedicated Manufacturer Certification Program for AM. It goes beyond ISO 9001 and AS9100 to evaluate process quality, material handling, and part validation. Full details.
INNOSPACE Achieves ISO/ASTM 52941 Certification
INNOSPACE’s AM division received certification under ISO/ASTM 52941:2020, verifying its aerospace-grade metal AM capabilities.
Regulatory Guidance Updates
The FDA is expected to release new guidance for point-of-care 3D printed medical devices. Meanwhile, America Makes and ANSI continue work on filling standards “gaps” for wider AM adoption.
🔬 Academic & Research Breakthroughs
Stanford’s Algorithm for Bioprinting Vascular Networks
Stanford researchers released a new algorithm that designs printable vascular trees 200× faster, enabling realistic blood vessel structures in bioprinted organs. Tool is open-source via SimVascular.
Worker Safety Study in Metal AM
Finnish researchers found that post-processing (not printing) creates the highest nanoparticle exposure in metal AM. Read study summary and updated safety guidelines.
Carbon Fiber Recycling Progress
ORNL developed new methods to recycle carbon fiber for use in AM composites. Learn more.
3D-Printed Hydrogen Tank Prototype
European researchers printed a prototype cryogenic hydrogen tank combining thermoplastic liner and carbon-fiber shell, paving the way for lightweight aerospace applications.
✈️🚑 Real-World Applications
🛩 Aerospace
Pratt & Whitney’s 3D-Printed Turbine Wheel
P&W successfully test-fired a 3D-printed rotating turbine for the TJ150 turbojet. The AM part replaced 50+ components, marking a huge leap toward certified AM propulsion systems. More here
🏥 Medical
Custom 3D-Printed Femur in Vietnam
Vinmec Healthcare surgeons performed the world’s first total femur replacement on a child using a patient-specific 3D-printed implant. More
Facial Reconstruction at Bristol 3D Medical Centre
A cyclist’s face was reconstructed using a 3D-printed prosthesis at North Bristol NHS Trust, including matching skin tone and a neck splint. Case study
😬 Dental
BMF’s UltraThineer No-Prep Veneers
BMF unveiled 0.1 mm zirconia veneers called UltraThineer—used in a no-drill restoration of severe tetracycline staining. Case report
🧱 Construction
3D-Printed Rest House for Bus Drivers
Qbuzz and Silva.builders unveiled a recyclable, CO₂-neutral 3D-printed rest pavilion in the Netherlands. Details
🎮 Consumer Culture
Minecraft Compass Comes to Life
A Reddit user 3D printed a working Minecraft compass with a functional magnetic needle. Fans are reverse-engineering it now. Just another example of games-to-reality crossover in 3D printing.