5 Cutting‑Edge Additive‑Manufacturing Innovations to Watch at formnext 2021

formnext has officially opened, bringing together the leading voices in additive manufacturing. Over the next few days, industry giants and emerging players will showcase their newest technologies, including a full lineup from RP Platform.

Below is a curated list of five standout systems we’re eager to see at this year’s trade fair.

1. ACEO’s Multi‑Material Silicone 3D Printer

   

   ACEO®, a division of Wacker Chemie AG, has long been a pioneer in industrial silicone printing. Their upcoming system will, for the first time, allow simultaneous printing of multiple silicone materials, enabling complex internal geometries and structures previously unattainable. This breakthrough is poised to accelerate production of small‑batch parts, biomedical models, and functional prototypes.

2. SondaSys SLS 3D Printer – Poland’s First Industrial‑Scale SLS Machine

   SondaSys will debut its Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machine at formnext, marking the company’s entry into the industrial SLS market. With a sophisticated optical system and dual print chambers, the printer promises high‑precision parts while reducing material waste and production costs. Its intuitive interface lets users monitor the build process in real time.

3. INTAMSYS FUNMAT HT PRO – The Largest Desktop 3D Printer Yet

   INTAMSYS will showcase the FUNMAT HT PRO, expanding on its earlier FUNMAT HT Desktop. The open‑materials design supports high‑temperature polymers such as PEEK, PC, and ULTEM. A 450ºC metal nozzle eliminates clogging, while a heated build chamber mitigates warping and cracking. Its generous build volume enables the fabrication of significantly larger parts.

4. Renishaw RenAM 500Q – Four‑Laser Metal Additive Manufacturing

   Renishaw’s new RenAM 500Q delivers a fourfold increase in productivity compared to single‑laser systems without compromising part quality. The technology is designed to lower cost per part and broaden the appeal of metal AM across industries, building on the success of its RenAM800 predecessor.

5. Markforged X3, X5, and X7 – Advancements in Carbon Fibre and Metal Printing

   Following a $30 million funding round and the launch of its Metal X desktop printer, Markforged is expanding its industrial lineup. The X3 and X5 offer differentiated material capabilities—Onyx for the X3 and Onyx reinforced with continuous fiberglass for the X5—while the X7 (formerly Mark X) continues to push the envelope in carbon‑fiber fabrication. These models aim to make advanced AM more accessible to a broader customer base.

Don’t miss the RP Platform booth—Hall 3, Booth G27—this week to learn more about these innovations.