AMFG 2020: Milestones and Innovations in Additive Manufacturing

2020 was a landmark year for AMFG and the additive manufacturing sector alike. Amid a global pandemic, we faced unprecedented challenges and seized new opportunities to advance autonomous manufacturing with our MES solutions.

With 12 months of rigorous growth now behind us, here are some of the highlights that defined our journey in 2020.

January – Predicting 3D Printing Trends

We opened the year with ten forward‑looking predictions about the future of additive manufacturing. Despite the pandemic reshaping expectations, many of our forecasts came to fruition, underscoring the rapid evolution of AM software and the growing indispensability of MES for scaling production.

Read more about 3D Printing Trends in 2020 here

February – Enhancing Our Software Suite

February marked the launch of our new Build Preparation tool, which automates part orientation, visualisation, and parameter optimisation to ensure repeatable, high‑quality builds.

We also released a comprehensive guide to additive manufacturing MES. Download a free copy here to learn how to scale your AM operations with our platform.

March – 3D Printing Meets the Supply‑Chain Crisis

When the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic, medical supply shortages surged worldwide. The 3D printing community stepped up, and many of our customers pivoted to producing critical medical equipment.

Notably, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) leveraged our software to accelerate the production of essential supplies during the crisis.

April – Our First Digital Conference

In April, AMFG convened leading 3D printing experts—including Ultimaker and Xometry—for our inaugural Additive Manufacturing Landscape Digital Conference 2020. The event explored COVID‑19 responses, supply‑chain resilience, and the ongoing maturation of AM technology, materials, and software.

For those who missed the live sessions, we produced two detailed recap articles:
• The Future of 3D Printing: 12 Key Takeaways from AMFG’s AM Landscape Digital Conference 2020 (Part 1)
• The Future of 3D Printing: 12 Key Takeaways from AMFG’s AM Landscape Digital Conference 2020 (Part 2)

You can also watch the full presentations on our YouTube channel.

May – Second Additive Manufacturing Landscape 2020 Report

Insights from the April conference informed the release of our second Additive Manufacturing Landscape 2020 Report.

The report confirms that the 3D printing industry has matured dramatically, with progress continuing unabated despite early‑year uncertainty.

July – New Ordering and Quoting System

July introduced a revamped ordering and quoting workflow on the AMFG platform, making it faster, more intuitive, and better aligned with customer and partner communication needs.

September – Partnership with the Digital Manufacturing Centre

In September, we announced integration of our additive MES into the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), a UK‑based independent AM production facility launching Q1 2021.

The DMC’s operations will rely on our platform to monitor capacity, track projects, and manage deadlines, reflecting the growing importance of digital manufacturing in the UK.

November – Digital Presence at Formnext 2020

Formnext 2020, the industry’s largest trade show, transitioned to a virtual format due to COVID‑19. Though we did not exhibit, our team attended online to connect with peers and stay abreast of the latest industry trends.

Our participation reaffirmed that digital trade shows can effectively facilitate networking and knowledge sharing when in‑person events are constrained.

December – Collaboration with HP on Machine Connectivity

December marked the launch of a partnership with HP to enable seamless connectivity for HP Multi‑Jet Fusion systems via the AMFG platform. This collaboration addresses one of the biggest barriers to AM adoption—the fragmented workflow—by allowing direct machine integration.

Henkel was among the first to benefit: “With AMFG’s support, we can connect our global Application Centers using HP Jet Fusion printers, centralising end‑to‑end workflows from request to finished part,” said Chris Liddiard, Market Segment Head for Automotive and Industrial Parts at Henkel, in HP’s press release.

We also unveiled a redesigned website that showcases our expanded brand and solution portfolio.

Looking Ahead to 2021

Despite the challenges of 2020, AMFG emerged stronger and more resilient. We thank our customers, partners, and the broader 3D printing community for their collaboration and support.

We are excited about the products and partnerships slated for 2021—stay tuned for updates and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news!