What 3D Printing Needs to Evolve: Top 3 Industry Demands Revealed at AMUG

CADimensions is attending the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) event in St. Louis, Missouri – the most significant professional 3D‑printing conference of the year. To keep you informed about the present and future state of the industry, we’re publishing a daily blog summarizing the most noteworthy insights. Read day one’s recap here.

On Day 2, Stratasys hosted a keynote panel featuring experts from Boeing, Ford, Johnson & Johnson, FedEx, and Siemens. The discussion centered on what businesses expect from 3D printing and the hurdles they face when integrating the technology. Below are three key takeaways that emerged from the session.

1. End‑use parts are the holy grail the industry seeks.

All panelists agreed that the ultimate goal is to produce end‑use parts directly from a 3D printer. In 2018, parts manufactured with 3D printing still struggled to meet the mechanical and surface‑finish requirements of production applications. While advanced materials and machines bring us closer to that goal each day, the demand from major customers remains clear.

Imagine how product development and launch timelines could transform if businesses could print final‑grade parts on demand.

2. End‑to‑end, turnkey solutions.

Participants emphasized the need for fully integrated solutions that cover equipment, materials, post‑processing, and software tracking across the entire workflow. In practice, this means sourcing all components from a single vendor and having tools to monitor every step from design to finished part.

While GrabCAD Print excels at tracking material and machine usage, there is still room for improvement in support‑material removal and surface‑finish treatments—areas where Stratasys products could evolve to provide a more seamless experience. Until then, our role as a local reseller remains crucial: we offer tailored workflow guidance based on your unique business needs.

Desktop Metal offers one of the most streamlined end‑to‑end experiences outside of a company’s internal concept, with software that guides users through print, debind, and sinter steps. The panelists’ comments underscored the value of such cohesive solutions.

3. Repeatability and confidence in part quality hinder adoption.

Frequent objections to 3D‑printed parts stem from concerns about quality and consistency. Some companies still rely on metal tooling or prototypes, but many are open to rethinking how they approach manufacturing aids. Using plastic for the same function can accelerate production and reduce costs, though it often requires iterative design and material testing.

Hobbyists have noted how small variations—like a slightly loose bed‑leveling screw—can produce non‑flat surfaces from one print to the next. For high‑volume or end‑use applications, repeatability is essential. The panelists expressed optimism that accumulating data will soon validate the reliability of materials and machines. Stratasys’s certified‑grade materials and the e‑Xstream partnership announced last year are poised to accelerate that progress.

These insights reflect the needs of businesses at all stages of 3D‑printing adoption. By openly discussing the challenges and opportunities, we can all look forward to a future where these demands are met. Stay tuned for the AMUG Day 3 recap!

Tags: 3D Printing, AMUG, Conference, End‑to‑end Solutions, Event, Industry, Recap, Trends