In this edition of SLICED, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, we track how additive manufacturing is advancing through European partnerships, distribution expansion, defense manufacturing, facility openings, and new applications in archaeology, construction, and medicine.
Read on for updates from XJet, BigRep, Freemelt, 6K Additive, Meltio, Axtra3D, Spherene, Ricoh 3D for Healthcare, and more.
Resellers and Distribution Deals by 6K Additive, Additive Assurance, qualloy, and more
Kicking off, metal powder producer 6K Additive has appointed AMPERE Alloys as its official distributor for the European market. AMPERE will handle sales, first-line technical support and local distribution of 6K Additive’s titanium, nickel-based superalloy and refractory metal powders through a network of 12 European warehouses.
Separately, Berlin-based firm BigRep appointed advanced industrial manufacturing technologies provider AdFortem as a reseller for its industrial large-format 3D printing systems in Belgium. AdFortem will offer BigRep’s hardware, materials, software and services, alongside local application consulting, installation, training and after-sales support.
Elsewhere, Melbourne-based Additive Assurance has appointed additive manufacturing solutions supplier NTT DATA XAM Technologies as the Japanese distributor for its AMiRIS real-time monitoring system. XAM will provide local sales, implementation and maintenance support and integrate AMiRIS with metal additive manufacturing systems from EOS and AMCM.
Next up, digital metal powder marketplace qualloy has signed a European distribution agreement with Constellium for its Aheadd CP1 aluminum powder for additive manufacturing. The material will be stocked in Germany from August, with Rosswag Engineering providing support in powder handling, qualification, processing and application development.
Roboze and SUPSI Research High-Performance Composite Materials
Moving on to research news, Italian-American polymer additive manufacturing system builder Roboze will work with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) on a collaborative research and development (CRD) initiative. Prof. Alberto Ortona, Head of the Hybrid Materials Laboratory at SUPSI, explained that the CRD’s objective is advancing the development and application of high-performance materials such as Carbon–Carbon (C–C) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC).
Axtra3D Opens New European Hub in Vicenza
Looking ahead to facility news, Hi-Speed SLA system developer Axtra3D has expanded its European operations with a new 17,000 sq ft facility in Vicenza, Italy. The site will serve as its European hub, bringing material validation, application development, product engineering, manufacturing and customer support into one location.
Partnership Deals by XJet and Freemelt
Moving on to partnership news, Israel HQ’d metal 3D printer manufacturer XJET has appointed UK-based engineering consultancy Eqops as UK and Ireland sales and support partner. Alwyn Pryse, Mark Caseley, and Liam Matthews of Equops will lead the initiative.
Elsewhere in Europe, Swedish metal 3D printer developer Freemelt has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Proxima Fusion and joined the Alpha Alliance, which is developing the stellarator-based Alpha fusion demonstrator. Freemelt will contribute its Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion expertise to the design, manufacture and validation of tungsten plasma-facing components for the demonstrator’s divertor and first wall.
Spherene Joins 3MF Consortium for Volumetric Design Standards
In software news, Swiss CAD software developer Spherene has joined the 3MF Consortium to support the development of standards for transmitting complex internal geometries and metamaterial designs through additive manufacturing workflows. Using the 3MF Volumetric Extension, a complex ADMS design can be reduced from 24 MB to 2.8 MB without losing geometric fidelity or volumetric design intent.
AML3D Appoints David Goggins as U.S. Board Advisor
Turning to the appointments corner, Australian metal 3D printing company AML3D has appointed retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral David Goggins as a U.S. board advisor. Goggins brings 34 years of submarine and industrial-base experience and will support AML3D’s growth across U.S. and Australian defense manufacturing markets under AUKUS.
EWF and Formnext Announce 2026 Manufacturing Events
Shifting focus to event news, the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting will hold the third Professionals of the Future event on 20 October 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. Focused on human-centric manufacturing in the era of AI, the program will cover digital training tools, remanufacturing, workforce development and harmonized qualifications through an open session and three roundtables.
Meanwhile, Formnext will launch its inaugural Defence Summit on 17 November 2026 during the additive manufacturing trade show in Frankfurt, Germany. Organized with the Additive Manufacturing Defence Network, the event will bring together military, government, industry and academic representatives to discuss supply chains, procurement, logistics, training, standardization, digitalization and data management for defense applications.
Meltio Expands Certified U.S. Defense Manufacturing Network
Moving on to defense, Meltio has expanded its U.S. defense manufacturing network through certified partners including Force Automation, Snowbird Technologies, Phillips Corporation and Fastech. Operating under frameworks such as ITAR, Type 7 FFL, SAM registration and ISO 9001:2015, the network supports the secure deployment of Meltio systems, which have reduced production timelines for critical defense components by more than 80% in U.S. Navy and allied programs.
LAMÁQUINA 3D Prints Custom Panels for Kuwait Restaurant
In construction news, Barcelona-based 3D printing service LAMÁQUINA has produced 38 custom wall and ceiling panels for the Odachi restaurant in Kuwait using large-scale robotic 3D printing. Some panels exceed two meters in length and were made from recycled PETG reinforced with 30% glass fiber, based on architect Seba Orabi’s wave-inspired computational design.
3D Printing Recreates Roman Game and World Cup Trophy
In applications news, Newcastle University and the Vindolanda Charitable Trust have used 3D scanning and printing to recreate a 1,700-year-old Ludus Latrunculorum board excavated at the Roman fort in 2019. The playable replica allows visitors to handle and play the ancient strategy game while the original five-piece stone board remains on display in Toronto.
Next up, Spanish metal additive manufacturing firm Meltio has produced a stainless-steel replica of the football World Cup trophy using its wire-laser metal deposition technology. Printed on a Meltio Engine integration kit for industrial robots, the 29.5 cm-tall piece weighs 13 kg and required 20 hours to complete.
Sinto Advanced Ceramics Europe Secures ISO 9001 Certification
Shifting focus on certifications, technical ceramics additive manufacturing specialist Sinto Advanced Ceramics Europe has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification following an audit by TÜV SÜD. The audit identified no non-conformities, and the certificate is valid from 24 July 2026 to 23 July 2029. The certification follows Sintokogio Group’s acquisition of Bosch Advanced Ceramics, which took effect on 1 January 2026.
Myrava Acquires Ricoh 3D for Healthcare
Finally in medical news, Ricoh USA has sold its patient-specific medical device subsidiary, Ricoh 3D for Healthcare, to personalized healthcare company Myrava. Under dedicated ownership, the business will focus on FDA-cleared personalized medical devices and point-of-care manufacturing for healthcare providers across the United States.
3D Printing Industry is inviting speakers for its 2026 Additive Manufacturing Applications (AMA) series, covering Energy, Healthcare, Automotive and Mobility, Aerospace, Space and Defense, and Software. Each online event focuses on real production deployments, qualification, and supply chain integration. Practitioners interested in contributing can complete the call for speakers form here.
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Featured photo shows Stainless-steel World Cup trophy replica produced using Meltio’s wire-laser metal deposition technology. Photo via Meltio.
