What 3D printing is really about
3DP War Journal #50
Today marks my anniversary—this is my 50th newsletter on LinkedIn.
Honestly, I could take the easy route and prepare some sort of roundup of the 10 most-read or most-commented articles from this series, or write a retrospective story about how it all started, how it evolved, and so on… (blah, blah, blah)
But I decided not to do that. I decided that for this anniversary, I would write something completely different—something more interesting and valuable. Like, for example—what I personally find so intriguing about 3D printing. What makes it, despite all its flaws and shortcomings, still so exciting to so many people, and why so many still want to push it forward.
Because it’s definitely not about the money—an AM millionaire could be a billionaire in any other industry. The thing is, there are only a handful of millionaires in AM.
It’s definitely not about fame or public recognition either—the top AM experts rarely step outside of their own bubble. Regular people and the mainstream don’t notice them, and frankly, don’t care.
And it’s definitely not about stability or predictability—oh no! Quite the opposite. Working in AM means constant uncertainty and surprising plot twists. It’s more like a job for the emotionally unstable—the ADHD kids.
So what is it that keeps so many people drawn to 3D printing, and why does their number keep growing significantly year after year?
The answer is, on the one hand, incredibly simple, and on the other hand, completely unknown to most of the people running the top AM companies. The big secret, the great "Fatima secret" is this:
3D printing makes people better. It makes them better versions of themselves.
Of course, I don’t mean ethically or morally (although in the case of movements like e-Nable and similar initiatives, that too!), but in terms of personal growth.
A reasonable, properly motivated person can achieve things with a 3D printer that they would never be able to achieve in any other way.
A 3D printer is the simplest and most affordable machine for producing physical objects. Despite all its technological flaws and limitations (dimensional inaccuracy, size constraints, lack of scalability), it allows you to start a small manufacturing facility right in your apartment—literally in your bedroom!
If you have a dedicated space at home—and enough determination—you can, for a relatively small investment, set up a 3D printer farm capable of producing dozens to hundreds of parts per day!
No other manufacturing technique allows this. Not milling, not casting, not injection molding. Only 3D printing enables someone with zero knowledge or experience in industrial production to become a producer—a maker of things!
Dude! But people have been saying this for 15 years. Bre Pettis said the same thing when he showed off the wooden MakerBot Replicator in 2012...
Yes, but let me add two things:
Fifteen years ago, desktop 3D printers were weak, unreliable, and using them required either solid technical knowledge or learning everything from scratch, which could take months.
For some reason, most 3D printer manufacturers don’t think about this (either they don’t know or they’ve forgotten). Everyone pours their energy into better hardware, better materials, and, more recently, better software. Or just better (cheaper) price.
But very few people stop to ask—what’s actually in it for the user?
And, well, the most important thing in 3D printing is the user.
The 3D printer is the tool that allows them to become someone new—someone better.
Because, you know, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what machine you’re using. Whether it’s Bambu Lab, Creality, Anycubic, or Formlabs. Whether it’s filament, resin, or even powder that is used. What matters is the business idea, the work organization, and the commitment.
It could be 3D printing services. Or making your own products or applications. Or servicing 3D printers. Or training others. Or promoting the technology on social media and earning from the views. There are so many possibilities. And the barrier to entry is very low. And it’s keep dropping…
That was actually one of the main reasons I decided to work with Bambu Lab. In my role, I don’t focus on hardware at all. What matters most are the resellers and their end customers. Supporting the growth of their businesses.
It’s not about how to sell more—but how to help them sell more. How to help them grow—thanks to 3D printers.
Of course, the 3D printer itself needs to be good (along with the materials and supporting software). But my focus is on what this product can give to a person or a company.
Because all those who focused solely on the product are either already out of business or are barely hanging on.
3D printing is for users. Not for better dimensional parts, higher productivity, or high ROI. For people to grow.
#7. Rocket Lab reserved large-format metal 3D printers from Nikon SLM Solutions
Rocket Lab has signed an agreement with Nikon SLM Solutions to reserve two large-format metal 3D printing systems currently in development. These advanced printers will enable the production of significantly larger, complex components in a single build, supporting Rocket Lab’s growing space manufacturing needs.
The collaboration highlights the shift toward additive manufacturing for high-throughput, large-scale production, offering design flexibility, reduced part counts, faster assembly, and improved system reliability for future space missions.
READ MORE: www.3druck.com
#6. COBOD installed world’s largest 3d printer in qatar for school project
COBOD International has installed its BODXL, the world’s largest construction 3D printer, in Doha, Qatar. The printer will initially 3D print a school for UCC Holding, potentially becoming the largest 3D printed building globally.
Qatar’s public works authority, Ashghal, could be a major client, with $27 billion allocated for public projects over seven years. This partnership could significantly advance large-scale 3D printing in construction and support Qatar’s long-term development goals.
READ MORE: www.3dprint.com
#5. Stratasys opened North American Tooling Center to advance additive manufacturing
Stratasys has launched the North American Stratasys Tooling Center (NASTC) in Flint, Michigan, in partnership with Automation Intelligence. The center focuses on developing and scaling additive manufacturing tooling solutions for automotive and industrial sectors.
Equipped with Stratasys F3300 and F900 printers, it offers hands-on support for jigs, fixtures, and custom tooling. NASTC aims to help manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce costs, and adopt digital, on-demand production through advanced additive technologies.
READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com
#4. Shapeways relocated european operations to Strijp-T technology district
Shapeways will move its European production and administrative operations to a new facility in Eindhoven’s Strijp-T technology district. The company has signed a long-term lease for Hall 4 of the former TX machine factory, a historic Philips site now modernized for high-tech use.
The facility’s precision-engineered structure is ideal for Shapeways’ additive manufacturing. The relocation, expected in late 2026, supports the company’s growth and aligns with Strijp-T’s vision for innovative, sustainable industrial development.
READ MORE: www.3druck.com
#3. ASME and Women in 3D Printing joined forces to support diversity in additive manufacturing
ASME has formed a partnership with Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP), an organization dedicated to promoting women in additive manufacturing. With over 13,000 members in 100 global chapters, Wi3DP has advanced inclusion since 2014. This collaboration will provide Wi3DP with resources to expand its mission and increase female representation in the AM workforce. Together, ASME and Wi3DP aim to build a more inclusive engineering community and drive diverse innovation across the industry.
READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com
#2. Nike’s 3d printed Air Max 1000 Oatmeal to release in summer 2025
Nike’s 3D printed sneaker, the Air Max 1000 Oatmeal, created in partnership with Zellerfeld, will launch in Summer 2025 for around $210. Made with Zellerfeld’s fused filament fabrication technology, the shoe features a seamless, lightweight design with Nike’s signature Air heel chamber. Already previewed by influencers and at ComplexCon, the sneaker blends performance and sustainability, reducing waste. Nike joins brands like Adidas and ASICS in advancing 3D printed footwear, as part of broader efforts to revolutionize design and manufacturing through additive technologies.
READ MORE: www.3dprint.com
#1. Divergent Technologies joined $46b US Air Force contract for advanced systems
Divergent Technologies has been selected for the U.S. Air Force’s $46 billion Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), aimed at rapidly developing advanced weapon systems. Divergent will apply its Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS), which combines AI-driven design, additive manufacturing, and robotic assembly to deliver mission-critical aerospace and defense components quickly and flexibly. This marks Divergent’s significant expansion into defense, following its success in the automotive sector with brands like McLaren and Aston Martin.
READ MORE: www.tctmagazine.com