--- title: "Rapid + TCT 2025: The AM state of affairs" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/rapid-tct-2025-the-am-state-of-affairs/ date: 2025-04-17 modified: 2025-04-29 lang: en author: "Edward Wakefield" description: "When industry insiders gather at additive manufacturing events like Rapid + TCT 2025, in Detroit, conversations can easily slip into familiar patterns - lamenting a perceived lack of groundbreaking innovation..." categories: - "3D Printing Events" - "Executive Interviews" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.15-1-640x480.jpeg word_count: 1990 --- # Rapid + TCT 2025: The AM state of affairs When industry insiders gather at additive manufacturing [events like Rapid + TCT 2025](https://www.voxelmatters.com/event/rapid-tct-2025/), in Detroit, conversations can easily slip into familiar patterns - lamenting a perceived lack of groundbreaking innovation or expressing frustration over industry challenges. Yet, beneath this layer of skepticism, this year's event revealed vibrant pockets of innovation and strategic shifts that warrant closer attention. ## Geopolitics and metal AM Geopolitical tensions were not just a backdrop to Rapid + TCT - they were a driving force behind many of the conversations, [especially in the metal AM space](https://www.voxelmatters.com/eos-and-blt-lead-list-of-top-10-metal-am-companies-2025-by-revenue/). Companies like Nikon SLM Solutions and EOS made it clear that the current climate is accelerating demand for domestically produced parts, particularly within the defense and aerospace sectors. Nikon SLM Solutions shared that their US-based production has been a key asset in navigating new tariffs and political headwinds, allowing them to secure contracts where localized supply chains are now a hard requirement. EOS, meanwhile, remains entrenched in US military procurement, a position it has held for years, and one that is only being reinforced as Western governments push for onshoring and reduce reliance on international manufacturing, especially from China. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-8.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-8.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-9.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-9.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-10.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-10.jpeg) Interestingly, these dynamics have created awkward tensions within the industry itself. [Bright Laser Technologies (BLT)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/blt-enters-distribution-partnership-with-goengineer/), once a reseller for EOS in Shanghai, is now a direct competitor, embodying China’s rapid rise in the AM sector. While their machines remain competitively priced and technically advanced, the political optics around buying Chinese hardware for defense or aerospace applications have become increasingly unpalatable for Western buyers. As a result, [companies like EOS](https://www.voxelmatters.com/eos-and-godrej-team-up-to-establish-am-ecosystem-for-indias-aerospace-sector/), [Nikon SLM Solutions](https://www.voxelmatters.com/nikon-slm-solutions-reports-revenues-of-150-million-in-2024-36/), and others with local manufacturing capabilities are being buffered - if not buoyed - by a geopolitical environment that favors national security, controlled IP, and traceable supply chains. It’s not just about performance, but about trust, giving local players a distinct edge. ## Silicone A real surprise at Rapid + TCT this year was silicone printing. Axtra 3D stood out by unveiling a true silicone 3D printing technology, a remarkable development that significantly expands material capabilities within the industry. Complementing Axtra’s announcement, 3D Systems showcased their innovative 'eggshell' method, using a printed resin casing as a mold for silicone injection, later broken away to reveal intricate silicone parts. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-7.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-7.jpeg) [![Rapid + TCT 2025: The AM state of affairs. A grounded look at what’s working, what’s shifting, and where the AM industry is heading.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-1.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-1.jpeg) Adding yet another dimension was [Rapid Liquid Printing (RLP)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/rlp-gets-ready-to-launch-levity-3d-printer-in-2026/), the MIT spinoff that impressed with its gel-based printing process, famously used to produce luxury goods [like Coperni handbags](https://www.voxelmatters.com/coperni-and-disney-unveil-gravity-free-3d-printed-purse/) at unprecedented speeds. These varied silicone-based approaches are genuinely reshaping industry perceptions about the feasibility and commercial potential of silicone AM. ## Desktop 3D printing The desktop AM segment continues to exhibit saturation, with numerous companies, including popular [Chinese brands like Bambu Lab](https://www.voxelmatters.com/bambu-lab-a1-review-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype/), Elegoo, Anycubic, and Creality, primarily refining existing models rather than delivering groundbreaking innovation. However, amidst this sea of incremental improvement, [Prusa notably distinguished itself](https://www.voxelmatters.com/can-a-prusa-3d-printer-print-peek/) by consistently receiving high customer satisfaction ratings, significantly outperforming its direct competitors on Trustpilot. Mosaic, the Canadian company founded in 2014, offered a fresh take on desktop-scale automation with their Array system - a modular, mobile print farm that bundles four high-performance 3D printers into a single unit, complete with automated bed removal. The system allows users to queue up print jobs and walk away for the weekend, returning to a batch of finished parts ready for post-processing. It’s a pragmatic evolution of desktop AM, moving beyond hobbyist tinkering into something that resembles low-volume manufacturing. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-8.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-8.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-7.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-7.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-6.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-6.jpeg) ## Artificially intelligent DFAM DFAM is entering a new era, powered not by manual CAD wizardry but by AI-driven simulation and optimization. [Companies like Aibuild](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/ai-build/) are leading this charge with their 'first time right' methodology, offering real-time thermal prediction and build simulation tools that minimize trial-and-error and maximize part success. Their expansion into the US market, including a new office in Silicon Valley, signals a growing interest in these tools from manufacturers seeking to increase efficiency and reliability. This isn’t just a UX improvement; it’s a shift toward intelligent automation, with design tools that learn, iterate, and adapt based on material behavior and printer constraints. [Materialise echoed this momentum with its integration of nTop software](https://www.voxelmatters.com/materialise-partners-with-ntop-to-accelerate-part-design-for-am/), which enables highly efficient design of components with conformal cooling channels and other intricate internal geometries. These tools aren’t just making parts printable - they’re making them perform better than conventionally designed equivalents. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.25.43-1.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.25.43-1.jpeg) Materialise. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-1.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-1.jpeg) 3D Systems. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-2.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-2.jpeg) 3D Systems. ## LFAM and multi-material innovations Large-format additive manufacturing continues to evolve into a highly strategic capability, [particularly within aerospace](https://www.voxelmatters.com/aerospace-am-market-worth-1-6-billion-in-2023-driven-by-end-users-and-metal-am-products/) and defense. JuggerBot3D, a company specializing in thermoplastic extrusion systems, announced a major milestone with the sale of several LFAM units to Firehawk Aerospace. These systems will be used in the production of solid rocket motor components, marking a significant step forward in the application of 3D printing to propulsion and launch technologies. The use of large-scale 3D printing for burnable rocket components underscores the growing role of AM in mission-critical defense infrastructure. This [increased interest in LFAM](https://www.voxelmatters.com/astm-international-and-astro-america-advance-lfam/) coincides with rising demand for materials like PVC and reinforced thermoplastics - materials that are often difficult to process using traditional methods but can be leveraged at scale through pellet-based extrusion systems. The scalability, speed, and cost-efficiency of LFAM are beginning to resonate more clearly across sectors that need fast prototyping, low-volume production, and functional end-use parts. [![Rapid + TCT 2025: The AM state of affairs. A grounded look at what’s working, what’s shifting, and where the AM industry is heading.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-4.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-4.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.16-1.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.16-1.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.16-2.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.16-2.jpeg) Meanwhile, [companies like Amarea](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/amarea-technology/) are pushing the boundaries of multi-material 3D printing. Amarea is developing a unique droplet-based printing method capable of handling technically advanced materials such as zirconia, copper, and glass. The technology involves a type of inkjet process in which material powders are suspended in droplets and deposited into a carrier medium before post-processing through sintering. While still somewhat under the radar, this approach opens new possibilities for complex part geometries using materials traditionally viewed as incompatible with AM. What’s more compelling is how these new players are navigating the tension between hardware innovation and material science. Amarea is not merely selling a machine; they’re validating a suite of materials and processing methods that could allow entirely new classes of products, particularly in fields like optics, electronics, and medical devices, to be brought into the fold of AM. [Multi-material capability](https://www.voxelmatters.com/amarea-delivers-first-mmj-prox6l-multi-material-3d-printer-to-fraunhofer-ikts/), once considered a novelty, is rapidly becoming a practical demand. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-9-e1744864510113.jpeg) Together, these advances suggest that we’re moving beyond the 'plastic part prototype' era into something more foundational. AM is increasingly serving as a primary production method for applications where performance, speed, and adaptability matter as much as precision or cost. ## Airtech's acquisition of Kimya's filament portfolio Among the more quietly significant developments at Rapid + TCT was the announcement of [Airtech’s acquisition of Kimya’s filament portfolio](https://www.voxelmatters.com/airtech-acquires-kimyas-high-performance-filament-portfolio/). On paper, this looks like a straightforward business expansion, but in reality, it represents a deeper shift in how materials are being strategized within the AM ecosystem. Airtech, long known for its pellet extrusion systems and large-format thermoplastic expertise, is now expanding its footprint to include high-performance filaments. This move allows the company to respond to client demand more effectively, particularly among customers who already trust their pellet offerings and want an integrated supplier experience. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-2.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-2.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-5.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-5.jpeg) The integration is designed to allow a feedback loop between filament and pellet development. Kimya, with years of experience developing advanced filaments - including carbon fiber-reinforced grades and high-temperature materials - brings a complementary R&D pipeline. Airtech, with its robust supply chains and extrusion knowledge, now serves as the bridge between traditional filament users and industrial pellet adopters. This acquisition also reflects a broader material trend: customers want more than just raw stock - they want performance, reliability, and compatibility across machines. The merger creates the foundation for that kind of cross-functional offering, which will be crucial as AM continues to move from prototyping into real production environments. ## Manifesting the future of AM Among the most intriguing technologies at Rapid + TCT came from [Manifest Technologies](https://www.voxelmatters.com/manifest-technologies-unveils-worlds-first-parallax-volumetric-additive-manufacturing-evaluation-kit-at-rapid-2025/), a Colorado-based startup. Their volumetric printing approach - branded as Parallax - challenges conventional AM by doing away with mechanical spinning, a core requirement for many current volumetric systems. Instead, Manifest has developed a stationary platform capable of producing entire parts in mere minutes, including fully-formed dental aligners, without any layer-by-layer process. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-11-e1744864578240.jpeg) The implications are significant. By removing mechanical motion from the equation, Parallax not only speeds up production but also allows for new levels of geometric complexity that were previously too difficult or time-consuming to pursue. The potential applications span industries - wearable electronics, optics, and personalized medical devices, to name a few. What sets them apart is not just the technology itself, but the underlying ambition. Manifest isn’t positioning itself as a one-trick R&D firm - they’re building a platform aimed at commercial viability across demanding verticals. Their booth drew consistent attention, not just for the novelty of their approach, but for the readiness of their technology to scale. ## Do vertical trade shows offer a better ROI? One of the repeated sentiments among seasoned exhibitors was a growing skepticism around the ROI of generalist AM trade shows. While Rapid + TCT remains an important gathering point for the industry, several companies expressed that their marketing dollars are yielding better results elsewhere. [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-5.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-5.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.16.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.16.jpeg) [![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-3.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.17-3.jpeg) The thinking is along the lines of: “When we exhibit at vertical shows - defense, aerospace, marine - we’re often the only 3D printing company in the room. That means we stand out, and we get serious leads from people who’ve never used AM before but are actively searching for better production methods.” It’s not that AM-focused events like Rapid + TCT aren’t useful - they’re just increasingly seen as industry echo chambers. You’re speaking to people who already know what AM is, how it works, and who the players are. You’re not necessarily growing your market - you’re mostly preaching to the choir. This shift is more than anecdotal. It signals a strategic rethinking of how AM firms position themselves. Rather than clustering together in industry-specific silos, they’re seeing the value in breaking out into application-focused environments where the technology feels fresh and differentiated. It’s a move from selling tools to selling solutions, and it seems to be paying off. ## Ethics and the defense sector ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-3.jpeg) Defense applications were a major undercurrent at Rapid + TCT, and not just in terms of contract value or manufacturing complexity. A more nuanced theme emerged from conversations with exhibitors: the ethical tension many companies are facing as defense spending becomes one of the few reliably growing sectors in AM. For some companies, the pivot is straightforward. They follow the money, shifting R&D focus, refining processes, and staffing up to meet the rising demand for defense-related components. But not every company is on board. A few exhibitors openly acknowledged internal resistance to defense work. In some cases, employees have threatened to leave, or have already left, in protest against aligning with military objectives. As government funding and geopolitical urgency ramp up, AM companies will increasingly have to choose where they stand, not just in terms of business strategy, but in their broader philosophy of what this technology is for. ## An evolving industry If there’s one clear takeaway from Rapid + TCT 2025, it’s that AM is not a stagnant field - it’s a field in transition. The hype cycles of previous years may be behind us, but in their place is something arguably more valuable: focused, deliberate growth. Across the show floor, companies weren’t promising to revolutionize manufacturing overnight. Instead, they were refining their offerings, integrating more closely with real-world production needs, and making the case for AM as a mature, strategic tool. What we’re seeing is the quiet normalization of 3D printing - not as a replacement for traditional manufacturing, but as a complement to it. Whether it’s AI-enhanced design, true silicone capabilities, cross-material systems, or the reconsideration of trade show strategies, the through-line is clear: AM is moving from hype to substance. And for those paying attention, the real story isn’t in the flash - it’s in the foundational shifts happening just below the surface. ![Rapid + TCT 2025: The AM state of affairs. A grounded look at what’s working, what’s shifting, and where the AM industry is heading.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-16-at-21.29.18-4.jpeg)