12 Companies Revolutionizing 3D Printing

From nimble startups to established OEMs, firms are redefining what 3D printing can achieve. With complex designs, shorter lead times, and real‑world impact, the technology is rapidly integrating into production lines. Below we highlight twelve organizations that are setting new industry standards.

1. Osseus Fusion Systems

Founded in 2012, Osseus Fusion is a U.S. medical device company that leverages metal additive manufacturing to create spinal implants. Their titanium fusion devices, approved by the FDA, feature 80% porosity to promote bone integration and accelerate healing. The approval underscores the company’s expertise in translating 3D‑printed solutions to clinical practice.

2. Luxexcel

Belgian firm Luxexcel is pioneering 3D‑printed ophthalmic lenses. Using proprietary acrylic technology, it produces the world’s only additive‑manufactured lens for eye care professionals. With $10 million in funding, Luxexcel is expanding into prescription lenses for AR/VR, positioning itself at the forefront of smart eyewear.

3. Relativity Space

Relativity Space, a space‑launch startup, embeds 3D printing at the core of its vehicle design. Their Stargate metal printer produces most of the Terran 1 rocket, aiming to cut construction time to 60 days. The company’s fully 3D‑printed Aeos 1 engine and scheduled Terran 1 tests exemplify rapid prototyping at scale.

4. BMW

BMW has long used additive manufacturing for prototyping and tooling. The MINI Yours Customised program lets customers design bespoke parts—door sills, cockpit trim—via 3D printing technologies such as Carbon CLIP and SLS. BMW’s 44% lighter roof bracket for the i8 Roadster, mass‑produced with 3D printing, marks the first additively manufactured automotive component in high volume.

5. Local Motors

Local Motors introduced the world’s first fully 3D‑printed vehicle body in 2015 and later the autonomous Olli shuttle. By combining Direct Digital Manufacturing with community‑based design, the company delivers low‑speed electric shuttles in record time, demonstrating 3D printing’s role in rapid, localized vehicle production.

6. Siemens

Siemens invested $36 million in a UK 3D‑printing facility and launched an additive manufacturing network to accelerate industrial adoption. The firm’s 2017 award‑winning gas turbine blade and recent 3D‑printed turbine oil‑sealing rings illustrate how AM enhances performance, flexibility, and on‑demand production.

7. General Electric

GE has become a dominant industrial AM user, investing billions and securing 346 powder‑metal patents. The 2015 3D‑printed fuel nozzle for the Leap engine showcased AM’s potential for high‑performance parts. With over 300 printers, GE plans to sell 10,000 units and produce 100,000 parts by 2020.

8. Hoosier Pattern

Hoosier Pattern, the sole operator of 3D sand printers in the U.S., offers custom mold and core services. Their resin‑to‑sand process delivers dimensionally accurate, low‑waste molds, enabling complex castings in a single piece and drastically shortening lead times.

9. Nike

Nike’s Flyprint sneakers introduce the first 3D‑printed textile upper, made from TPU via solid deposit modelling. The lattice structure delivers lightweight, breathable, and water‑resistant performance, marking a milestone in fully customized footwear.

10. ACEO

ACEO, a division of Wacker Chemie AG, unveiled the world’s first silicone 3D‑printing technology in 2016. Overcoming silicone’s viscosity, ACEO’s process allows on‑demand production of flexible, complex parts—critical for medical devices and automotive components that demand multi‑material performance.

11. Voodoo Manufacturing

Since 2015, Voodoo Manufacturing has operated a digital factory of 200+ desktop printers, producing 400,000+ parts. Their Project Skywalker employs robotics to scale output, reinforcing the company’s mission to democratize manufacturing for anyone who needs a physical product.

12. Expanse Microtechnologies

Expanse Microtechnologies, a Canadian startup, tackles a critical but often overlooked aspect of AM: inspection. Their Microscale X‑ray CT system delivers unparalleled internal insight, enabling manufacturers to validate parts before deployment—an essential step for aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.