+1000 subscribers
The Atomic Layers: 00314
Atomic Layer of the Week:
This week I finally managed to cross the symbolic milestone of 1,000 subscribers. As of now, it’s at 1,009 (and still growing).
Huge thanks to all of you - I really appreciate it ☺️
I know it’s not a massive number, especially compared to random online stores that have bigger mailing lists (that mostly go straight to spam anyway), but on Substack, this is actually a very solid result.
Especially in such a niche space as 3D printing × market analysis and news. If I pivoted to something like “how to make €10k a month with a 3D printer,” I’d probably lose most of you - but I’d gain 5x more people lured in by the promise of easy money (because running a 3D printing business must be simple, right?).
But for me, that 1,000 really matters. So once again - thank you!
And while we’re at it, here’s a funny story. I actually hit 999 subscribers a week ago, but I tried to get clever. In my previous article about Michael Molitch-Hou’s book, I wrote:
“And if you don’t even know who that is, please do yourself a favor - unsubscribe from this thing and stop the embarrassment already…”
And… five people unsubscribed the very same day 😂
But I quickly picked up five new ones, and now it’s smooth sailing again… Next target: 2,500! I hope we will get there together.
Atomic Layer from the Past:
8 years ago, Xact Metal launched two compact 3D printers, the XM200C and XM200S. Their Xact Core system used fast-moving mirrors instead of traditional galvanometers, cutting costs and boosting efficiency. The XM200C cost $80,000, while the XM200S was $130,000 and printed titanium.
Xact Metal was co-founded by Matt Woods, a Penn State engineering graduate, who developed an affordable metal printing technology. He left in 2021. Today, the company operates globally across 48 countries.
Read all:
News & Gossip:
#1
On March 31 (one day before April Fools’), Bambu Lab officially announced the EOL of three 3D printers from its iconic X1 series: X1, X1 Carbon, and X1E.
I put together a nice, timely article on the topic, covering the impact these machines had on the 3D printing industry. I highly recommend taking a walk down memory lane with it.
And as usual - if I’d known how often my header graphic would be picked up by other outlets (which I threw together pretty quickly), I would’ve put more effort into framing the printers properly (the X1C is a bit too centered) 🤭
Read more: www.blog.bambulab.com
#2
OPPO launched the K15 Pro and K15 Pro+ smarthones with DIY magnetic lens covers, letting users customize the camera module’s look. OPPO open-sourced the related 3D files on Bambu Lab’s MakerWorld. Launch prices for the first seven days are RMB 2,464.15 and RMB 2,634.15. Pre-orders are open, with official sales starting April 3.
It is the second project of that kind provided by a smartphone manufacturer - last year similar concept was presented by Realme.
#3
Formlabs’ CRO - Nick Graham, shared on LinkedIn that the company achieved another quarter of growth following a record-breaking Q4. Key drivers include a booming dental business with open Form 4B/4BL systems and over 50 validated materials. Engineering customers rely on Form 4 and 4L for accuracy and uptime.
According to Graham, The Fuse 1+ became the SLS standard, with accelerating unit sales growth.
#4
Formlabs’ results are quite an achievement, since the market is dominated by Chinese manufacturers.
According to Vanesa Listek and 3DPrint.com: in 2025, China exported 5.03 million 3D printers, a 33% year-over-year increase. Export value reached 11.36 billion RMB ($1.6 billion), up 39.1%. In 2017, exports were approximately 535,000 units. Exports surged in 2020 and 2021, fell back in 2022, then rebounded in 2023, rising through 2025.
The United States was the top destination with close to 2 million units (approximately 1.95 million). Germany followed with roughly 1 million (just under 1 million). Other leading markets included Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Poland, the Netherlands, Japan, and India.
Guangdong province (where Shenzhen is located) accounted for roughly 85% of export volume, exporting about 4.08 million units in 2025.
#5
This trend is being leveraged by Creality, which is approaching its IPO. The company filed an IPO application with Hong Kong Exchanges. As usual some interesting data was revealed…
the four founders still control 82% of the company
Creality holds over 900 patents
production area exceeds 260,000 sq m after Huizhou facility opened, plus an 80,000 sq m Wuhan facility that began trial production in 2023; in 2025, Huizhou operated at 88.8% capacity, Wuhan at 89.8%, and Shenzhen at 86.5%.
revenue (converted to USD):
2023: $272M revenue, $19M profit (6.9% margin)
2024: $331M revenue, $13M profit (3.9% margin)
2025: $453M revenue, $26M profit (5.7% margin)
printer revenue fell from 75% to 57% of total sales, replaced by consumables and scanners.
Creality positions itself as the second company on the market, with revenues over 3 times lower than market’s leader (guess who that is…)
#6
On a completely different note, EPlus3D withdrew its IPO filing from the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The company, known for large-format metal 3D printers used in aerospace, submitted a withdrawal request along with sponsor CITIC Securities. The exchange formally accepted the application on June 30, 2025, but has now terminated the review.
#7
And finally… Prusa Research announced a price increase for the Core One L model.
I don’t know - maybe it has something to do with the recently leaked message from Ondřej Průša describing the company’s profitability issues and the need for job cuts? The same message that no industry media outlet has written about?