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3D Printing Events 2022 - List of Shows, Fairs & Meetups

If you are following 3D printing community on social media, you cannot miss occasionally heated activities. This includes a lot of talks about meetups, followed by live streams, live chats, interviews, group pictures, etc. Usually, all this happens when some maker or 3D printing-related event happens.

We’ve put together a table with important 3D printing events, exhibitions, and fairs that happened or will happen in near future. Here you can also find a brief coverage of the events made by 3D printing community members. Read more below the table.

Shows, Fairs & Meetups

NB! As COVID-19 spreads across the globe, please take extra care and follow official guidance.

NameDescriptionPlaceDate
CES 2023For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
Coverage by:		Las Vegas
USA		2023.01.05
2023.01.08
RMRRFThe Rocky Mountain Rep Rap Festival
Coverage by:		Loveland, CO
USA		2023.03.21
2023.03.23
TCT 3Sixty 2023TCT 3Sixty will offer attendees innovative and interactive 360-degree insights, of how to get the best from their existing additive technology or to provide them with the opportunity for new technology.
Coverage by:
Birmingham
UK		2023.06.07
2023.06.08
3D Print Congress & Exhibition3D PRINT is the largest professional additive manufacturing event in France. During 2 days live a unique experience thanks to a large number of machines and equipment in operation, live demonstrations, feedback from top speakers, an Award Ceremony,
Coverage by:		Paris
France		2023. 10.11
2023.10.22
SMRRF
We are extremely excited to announce that we are hosting the first ever UK Rep Rap Festival, SMRRF,
Coverage by:		Oxford
UK		2023.12.02
2023.12.03
Formnext
South China 2022
Formnext + PM South China will hold its inaugural edition in the brand-new Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center
Coverage by:		Schenzhen
China		Autumn 2023
Autumn 2023
Maker Faires
(Map)		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
Find the event near you: use an interactive map.
Planet
Earth		Year Around
Formnext 2022International exhibition and conference on 3D printing/additive manufacturing & tooling.
Highlights:
Video by: The Next Layer
Article on: 3DWithUs
Twitter: Formnext2022		Frankfurt
Germany		2022. 11.15
2022.11.18
3D Additive ExpoParticipation in 3D ADDITIVE EXPO is a unique opportunity to present products, services, innovations, listen to the market, renew contacts and close deals. It will be a meeting point for all professionals looking for solutions to optimize their business.
Coverage by:		Batalha,
Portugal		2022.11.09
2022.11.12
TCT AsiaTCT Asia was first held in Shanghai in 2015, and by 2020, it has become Asia's first and the world's second largest professional exhibition of additive manufacturing technology.
Coverage by: Anycubic		China,
Shanghai		2022.11.03
2022.11.05
3D Print Congress & ExhibitionThe whole industry gathers for 3 days to present their latest innovations and industrial solutions in additive manufacturing.
Coverage by: Highlights by 3DWithUs		Paris
France		2022.10.19
2022.10.20
ERRF 2022The East Coast RepRap Festival (ERRF) invites all community members connected to 3D printing to join us and celebrate the diversity throughout our community and industry.
Coverage:
David Wheeler: ERRF Pictures
Nero3D: ERRF Recap
3DP Nerd: 60 Seconds Show		Bel Air,
Maryland,
USA		2022.10.08
2022.10.09
Maker Fare OCMaker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects.
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd		Orange County,
US		2021.09.10
MRRFWhat is MRRF? It's the worlds largest celebration of open source 3D printing. If you are a hobbyist, enthusiast or any level user of 3D printing then come and enjoy the weekend with others. Not sure what 3D printing is or want to learn more about it? Perfect! Come out and see what it's all about.
Coverage by: Greg's Maker Corner
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd
Twitter: #MRRF2022		Goshen,
Indiana,
USA		2022. 06.25
2022.06.26
3D Printed Biomaterials & AM ConferenceThe purpose of the meeting is to bring together engineers, scientists, regulators, and clinicians from academia, industry, and government to present leading-edge research on advancements in medical-grade UHMWPE, PEEK, and the rapidly growing field of polymer implant additive manufacturing technology.
Coverage by:		Torino, Italy2022.06.23
2022.06.24
SMF AuctionSanjay Mortimer Foundation for gifted & talented potential engineers, who are lacking financial or practical resource to fulfil their potential, focusing on those, who, like Sanjay, have ADHD.
Live Stream: E3D
Twitter: #SanjayMortimerFoundation
England
UK		2022.06.11
TCT 3Sixty 2022TCT 3Sixty will offer attendees innovative and interactive 360-degree insights, of how to get the best from their existing additive technology or to provide them with the opportunity for new technology.
Coverage by: 3DWithUs
Twitter: #TCT3Sixty
Birmingham
UK		2022.06.08
2022.06.09
Rapid.Tech 3DRapid.Tech 3D is one of the most important information events in the field of generative manufacturing processes. The status and progress of rapid prototyping through to the implementation of end products with the help of additive manufacturing and the introduction of technology into series production are examined.
Coverage on: #rapidtech3022		Messe Erfurt
Germany		2022.05.17
2022.05.19
Rapid + TCTFor more than 30 years, RAPID + TCT has defined the crucial role of additive manufacturing and empowered the establishment of an industry that continues to conceive, test, improve and manufacture new products at a faster, more cost-efficient pace.
#rapidtct2022
Coverage by: 3DPN		Detroit
US		2022.05.17
2022.05.19
3D Print Congress & ExhibitionThe whole industry gathers for 3 days to present their latest innovations and industrial solutions in additive manufacturing.
Coverage by: 3DWithUs		Lyon
France		2022.04.05
2022.04.07
AMUG 2022AMUG educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies.
Coverage by: #AMUG2022		Chicago
US		2022.04.03
2022.04.07
MACh3022MACH is the established UK showcase of the latest in manufacturing technologies.
Coverage: #MACh3022		Birmingham
UK		2022.04.04
2022.04.08
3D Meetup
Sweden		Join your fellow makers, entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, and suppliers for a weekend of networking and knowledge. Have a look at what others around you are doing and get inspired. Perhaps the next big idea will start right here?
Coverage: @3DMeetupSweden		Helsingborg
Sweden		2022.03.26
2022.03.27
TIPE 2022With a focus on case studies, additive manufacturing user applications, visionary talks on the future, and people shaping the industry, TIPE | 2022 curates an inspirational all-women agenda of speakers and panelists.
Coverage by: Women in 3D Printing		Virtual
Global		2022.01.18
2022.01.20
3D Printech 2021This global forum is anticipated to attract a large number of participants across the world including researchers and industry professionals to foster strong networking opportunities aimed at enhancing career and business goals.
Coverage by:		Frankfurt
Germany		2021.12.02
2021.12.04
Formnext 2021International exhibition and conference on 3D printing/additive manufacturing & tooling.
Coverage by: 3Dnatives		Frankfurt
Germany		2021.11.16
2021.11.19
GITEX
Technology Week		Right from global tech enterprises to Silicon Valley’s hottest startups – companies from around the world exhibit at GITEX in anticipation of high-value new business deals, future-empowering innovations and government partnerships.
Coverage: #GITEX2021		Dubai,
UAE		2021. 10.17
2021.10.21
CES 2022For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
Coverage by: The Verge		Las Vegas
USA		2022.01.05
2022.01.08
Additive ConferenceJoin the Additive Manufacturing team and the top names in production 3D printing to discuss what’s next for additive technology.
Coverage by: AM Media		Cincinnati,
OH, US		2021.10.12
2021.10.14
Inside 3D PrintingInside 3D Printing plays a major role in helping 3D printing technology to expand across industries as manufacturing, molding, construction, aerospace, automotive, medical, dental, fashion, and jewelry.
Coverage by:		Seoul,
Korea		2021. 10.13
2021.10.15
TCT 3Sixty 2021TCT 3Sixty will offer attendees innovative and interactive 360-degree insights, of how to get the best from their existing additive technology or to provide them with the opportunity for new technology.
Coverage by: Matt Denton		Birmingham
UK		2021.09.28
2021.09.30
Rapid + TCT 2021North America’s largest and most influential Additive Manufacturing event.
Coverage by: AM Media		Chicago
US		2021.09.13
2021.09.15
MRRF 2021What is MRRF? It's the worlds largest celebration of open source 3D printing. If you are a hobbyist, enthusiast or any level user of 3D printing then come and enjoy the weekend with others. Not sure what 3D printing is or want to learn more about it? Perfect! Come out and see what it's all about.
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/lLJRIU5YNOg		Goshen
US		2021.06.26
CES 2020For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
Coverage by: Print 3D Channel: https://youtu.be/DynbK3Ii2U8		Los Angeles
USA		2020.01.07
FormnextInternational exhibition and conference on 3D printing/additive manufacturing & tooling.
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/82ZZVIl72yE		Frankfurt
Germany		2019.11.19
Maker Faire
Orlando		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
Coverage by: Josef Prusa: https://youtu.be/O--3s4uHCug		Orlando
USA		2019.11.09
ERRF 2019The East Coast RepRap Festival (ERRF) invites all community members connected to 3D printing to join us and celebrate the diversity throughout our community and industry. We are inviting companies and individuals to bring out their 3D printers and projects big & small. Bring your passion for 3D and share your creations with our community! This is not a trade show, but a community-powered 3D printing people connecting weekend!
More details: https://goo.gl/1yk8qa
Coverage by: 3DPN: https://youtu.be/D6x_9OleY5Y
Bel Air,
Maryland
USA		2019.10.12
TCT ShowFor over 20 years, TCT Show has set the industry agenda, bringing together dozens of inspirational speakers, 300+ exhibiting companies and more than 10,000 visitors from over 40 countries.
More details: https://goo.gl/c37yz5
Coverage by: Thomas Sanladerer: https://youtu.be/pQ_FTlTxPm8		Birmingham
UK		2019.09.24
Maker Faire
Bay Area		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://makerfaire.com/map
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/2hwCPxLLQPY		Prague
Czech Republic		2019.06.22
Maker Faire
Bay Area		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://makerfaire.com/map
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/0cj6dqMgja4		San Mateo
California		2019.05.17
3D Meetup UK3Dmeetup is coming back in 2019 as a two-day event and promises to be bigger and better than before with the addition of workshops and even more talks.
More details: https://goo.gl/BhMhu6
Birmingham
UK		2019.05.18
Maker Faire
Vienna 2019		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://makerfaire.com/map
Coverage by: Josef Prusa: https://youtu.be/bELUucZeVWg		Vienna
Austria
2019.05.04
3D Meetup
Sweden		Join your fellow makers, entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and suppliers for a weekend of networking and knowledge.
More details: https://goo.gl/PGvPhc
Coverage by 3DMN: https://youtu.be/J_uCMf4WFkQ		Helsingborg
Sweden		2019.04.27
Advances
in 3D Printing
& Modelling		Theme: Trembling the notion of what CAN AND CANNOT be developed in 3D Printing.
More details: https://goo.gl/RgCcWq		Amsterdam, Netherlands2019.04.15
MRRF 2019What is MRRF? It's the worlds largest celebration of open source 3D printing. If you are a hobbyist, enthusiast or any level user of 3D printing then come and enjoy the weekend with others. Not sure what 3D printing is or want to learn more about it? Perfect! Come out and see what it's all about.
More details: http://bit.ly/2HFVF2l
Coverage by: Thomas Sanladerer: https://youtu.be/Czsn3sdHTFQ		Goshen
US		2019.03.29
Maker Faire
Lille 2019		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://goo.gl/nWeLHT
Coverage by: Josef Prusa: https://youtu.be/PqA5s4exArY		Lille
France		2019.03.23
Flexible
Materials
Roundup!		Stop being so rigid! 3D Printing is more than just hard plastics. Come on out and learn about the huge list of various types of flexible materials from around the world, and how to print with them.
More details: https://goo.gl/tYqgmu		West Des Moines
USA		2019.01.21
CES 2019For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
More details: https://goo.gl/Vj6BhC
Coverage by: The 3D Print General: https://youtu.be/jz9oVjuL6p8		Los Angeles
USA		2019.01.08
formnextInternational exhibition and conference on the next generation of manufacturing technologies.
More details: https://goo.gl/Bd8i2H
Coverage by: DyeMansion GmbH: https://youtu.be/bN2D98Poiko		Frankfurt
Germany		2018.11.13
Viaggio a
Shamballa
(Travel to
Shamballa)		Presentation of the new technology for architectural 3d printing. The Crane WASP “ the infinity 3d printer” will be presented on 6th and 7th October in Massa Lombarda.
More details: https://goo.gl/hRrBkx
Trailer: https://youtu.be/KS1mb8QVE-E
Coverage by:		Massa Lombarda
Italy		2018. 10.06
TCT ShowFor over 20 years, TCT Show has set the industry agenda, bringing together dozens of inspirational speakers, 300+ exhibiting companies and more than 10,000 visitors from over 40 countries. #tctshow18 #tctshow
More details: https://goo.gl/c37yz5
Coverage by: Highlights by 3DWithUs		Birmingham
UK		2018.09.25
Maker Faire
New York		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. #wmfny18
More details: https://goo.gl/nWeLHT
Coverage by:		New York
USA		2018.09.22
Advanced Manufacturing Yesterday
& Today		Stanley+Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator Presents A Panel Discussion: Advanced Manufacturing Yesterday & Today.
More details: https://goo.gl/bjQRSd
Coverage by:		Hartford
US		2018. 09.20
3D Meetup UKWe are pleased to announce our the first 3dmeetup.UK event will be held on Saturday the 18th of August From 11 am till 5 pm. We want this to be a forerunner to more 3D printing events and meetups.
More details: NA
Coverage by @3dmeetupUk: https://goo.gl/5FjKkZ		Birmingham
UK		2018.08.18
ERRF 2018The East Coast RepRap Festival (ERRF) invites all community members connected to 3D printing to join us and celebrate the diversity throughout our community and industry. We are inviting companies and individuals to bring out their 3D printers and projects big & small. Bring your passion for 3D and share your creations with our community! This is not a trade show, but a community powered 3D printing people connecting weekend!
More details: https://goo.gl/1yk8qa
Mosaic Palette+ at ERRF 2018 by DesignMakeTeach: https://youtu.be/tHyENnP4E48		Bel Air,
Maryland
USA		2018. 06.23
3D Printing
Live		The Nordic Additive Manufacturing Show
More details: https://goo.gl/dH7s2a
Coverage by:		Copenhagen
Denmark		2018.05.31
Maker Faire 
Bay Area		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://goo.gl/t9NKP2
Coverage by Thomas Sanladerer: https://youtu.be/bhZv04JzE9I		San Francisco
USA
2018.05.18
#3DPIAwards
2018		3DPI will host the awards in May at a venue in London, UK. Nominees will be invited to attend and winners will receive a unique trophy, especially designed by a prize-winning 3D designer and 3D printed for the event.
More details: https://goo.gl/ujwWxN
Winners Announced by 3DPI: https://goo.gl/CzRDrs		London
UK		2018. 05.17
3D Meetup
Sweden		Join your fellow makers, entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and suppliers for a weekend of networking and knowledge.
More details: https://goo.gl/PGvPhc
Coverage by Daniel Norée: https://youtu.be/iYh59P_EomM
Coverage by Cat: https://youtu.be/gy3OiGnaxTc
Fundraising by 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/GgXdnn01ZnI		Helsingborg
Sweden		2018.04.14
Maker Meetup +MakersMuseWe will be showcasing all the latest 3D technology and we will also be inviting industry experts to share their experiences and knowledge. There will be various workshops from 3D scanning, printing, laser cutting plus many more.
More details: https://goo.gl/3gGtcm
Coverage by:		Melbourn
Australia		2018.03.24
Midwest
RepRap
Fest		What is MRRF? It's the worlds largest celebration of open source 3D printing. If you are a hobbyist, enthusiast or any level user of 3D printing then come and enjoy the weekend with others. Not sure what 3D printing is or want to learn more about it? Perfect! Come out and see what it's all about.
More details: https://goo.gl/9QYBJ5
Coverage by: Thomas Sanladerer: https://youtu.be/J54OfY1__fU
Coverage by: Nerys: https://youtu.be/kBhOZS5ADxw
Coverage by: 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/08Y6tlDX2o8		Goshen, IN
USA		2018.03.23
3D Printing
Pop-up
Event		The one of a kind event will operate on a drop-in basis, with several one-hour application seminars each day, and represents a perfect opportunity for people to find out from industry experts how the latest 3D printing technology might help them.
More details: https://goo.gl/RiUjxd
Coverage by:		London
UK		2018.03.07
CES 2018For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
More details: https://goo.gl/Vj6BhC
Coverage by: 3D Print General: https://youtu.be/HbqJzi_TcE0		Los Angeles
USA		2018.01.09
TCT ShowThe 22nd TCT Show continues to set the agenda for the industry bringing together dozens of inspirational speakers. They come together for insight, education, innovation and most importantly to do business. The mix of expert speakers, real world applications and innovations alongside product launches, live demonstrations and exciting features creates an event that bristles with energy.
More details: https://goo.gl/c37yz5
Coverage by 3D Maker Noob: https://youtu.be/v3Xnb0XzlAs		Birmingham
UK		2017.09.26
Maker Faire
New York		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://goo.gl/nWeLHT
Coverage by Maker's Muse: https://youtu. be/2GviaIvT9Uk		New York
USA		2017.09.23
3D Printing
Industry Awards		3DPI will host the awards in May at a venue in London, UK. Nominees will be invited to attend and winners will receive a unique trophy, especially designed by a prize-winning 3D designer and 3D printed for the event.
More details: https://goo.gl/ACVqMy
Coverage by Afro3dprinter: https://youtu.be/vV2QtpJ_0Qg		London
UK		2017.05.17
Maker Faire
Bay Area		Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.
More details: https://goo.gl/t9NKP2
Coverage by 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/06_1kygG_Z8		San Mateo,
USA		2017.05.19
CES 2017For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
More details: https://goo.gl/Vj6BhC
Coverage by 3D Printing Nerd: https://youtu.be/QjcfDdRYNkI		Las Vegas
USA		2017.01.05
DIGICAL
Show		The DIGICAL Show aims to bring together all the latest developments in the desktop 3D printing and 3D scanning industry.
More details: https://goo.gl/6q9wBw
Coverage by 3DWithUs: DIGICAL Show - 3DWithUs		London
UK		2016.09.30

Please feel free to contact us if you think that a particular Event or Coverage should be added.

3D Printing Conventions and Conferences

General tech events, like CES in Las Vegas or GITEX in Dubai, are essentially global conventions. They draw together businessmen, engineers and the curious from all over the world. At such conventions and associated conferences, the real-life experience exchange in technology innovation takes place.

With the 3D printing industry going strong in the past two decades, we see more and more AM manufacturers taking part in such conventions and conferences.

Meetups at 3D Printing Events

Every community has its own leaders and celebrities. So does 3D printing community. It is a good chance to meet a YouTuber, for example, whose channel you are subscribed to and following most of the tutorials, reviews or other entertaining videos. In some cases, you can get a sticker or a selfy picture with them.

Thomas Sanladerer Interviewing Ian From Duet3D
(Image: 3DWithUs)

What to do if you are unable to visit an event? No worries, the dedicated 3D printing community members often share their experience with others. You can follow them on social media such as Twitter or YouTube where they often share it live.

If you are unable to watch a video but want to be updated live, then we would recommend following a particular hashtag on Twitter on Instagram like #CES22, #TCT21, #ERRF21, etc.

Coverage by …

We will find corresponding materials that could describe the events that have already happened. In the playlist below, you can find cherry-picked 3D printing-related event’s recaps that caught our glimpse.

Read More: Formnext – Yearly Highlights and Preview

Formnext has established itself as the key 3D printing industry event, and it is well-known for the innovations. Additive manufacturers are holding off from making their announcements until it’s the right time and place.

PEEK 3D Printing & Delta WASP 3MT on Formnext
(Image: 3DWithUs)

Read More: TCT3Sixty – Yearly Highlights and Preview

TCT3Sixty covers all aspects of additive manufacturing from design to production. Every year it attracts all sort of companies involved in 3D printing, from big names to start-ups.

TCT 3Sixty – AM and 3D Printing Trade Show
(Image: 3DWithUs)

3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Event

North America’s largest and most influential Additive Manufacturing event.

May 2 - 4, 2023

McCormick Place — West Building

Chicago, IL

people

Why Attend

What makes the largest and most influential additive manufacturing event in North America a can’t miss experience in 2022.

event

Event Features

Find out what makes RAPID + TCT next level in 2022.

devices

Digital Experience

RAPID + TCT 2022 – Now Streaming

RAPID + TCT 2023

Don’t miss RAPID + TCT 2023 – Big things are happening in this advanced manufacturing technology, and you will see them all at North America’s largest and most influential Additive Manufacturing event. Registration opens soon!

Explore the 2022 Conference and Event Preview!

Last year’s show featured 400+ exhibiting companies, keynote presentations, thought leadership panel discussions, new product previews, networking and so much more!

Stay tuned for details on why RAPID + TCT 2023 will be the must-attend AM event in Noth America!

The Rapid + TCT Experience

Event and Industry News

  • June 22, 2022

    You can rest assured that you held a great event when both the exhibitors and attendees offered thanks and words of praise. That is exactly what I heard throughout RAPID + TCT 2022, and in the week that followed.

  • June 2, 2022

    SME and the Rapid News Group welcomed thousands of members of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) community back for another successful installment of the industry’s largest and most influential event, RAPID + TCT 2022, May 17-19 at Huntington Place in Detroit.

  • May 20, 2022

    RAPID + TCT 2022 has officially kicked off—this time returning to its roots at Huntington Place in Detroit!

Membership Has Its Advantages

With an All-Access pass to RAPID + TCT, you'll receive a free 1-year SME membership! SME members can connect with peers, gain knowledge related to manufacturing technology and trends, solve problems and participate in leadership opportunities.

Get Your All-Access Pass

View More News

Copper 3D Printing - Complete Guide

Copper is one of the newest and most promising areas of metal 3D printing for everything from electric motors to heat sinks.

Previously, copper 3D printing was a challenge due to the metal's reflectivity and high thermal conductivity, but advances in printers and materials have largely resolved these early problems. Today, 3D printed copper propulsion systems send rockets into space, 3D printed copper heatsinks cool processors, and 3D printed copper coils boost the performance of electric motors. nine0004


3D printed copper parts (Source: Trumpf)

Why 3D print copper?

Copper has always been a very useful metal due to its ability to conduct heat and electricity, resist corrosion and even kill bacteria and viruses. Demand for complex copper parts is on the rise as 3D printing opens up even more uses and possibilities for this metal.

3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) enables the creation of exceptionally complex shapes, fine details, internal structures and lattice inserts that are not possible with any other form of metal fabrication. These capabilities reduce weight, increase efficiency, and reduce fabrication and assembly times, as multi-component assemblies can be 3D printed as a single unit. nine0004

Additive Metallurgy

3D printing also makes it possible to produce this relatively expensive metal more efficiently, reducing waste because only the amount of material needed is used to make each part. For companies interested in copper 3D printing, reducing raw material costs is critical.

If you already produce custom copper parts, 3D printing can significantly reduce your production costs while optimizing part performance. nine0004

Markforged 3D printed copper heatsink (Source: Markforged)

Although there aren't many 3D printers that can print copper, there is still a wide variety of printing technologies and prices.

FDM printers using copper-filled plastic filament can produce copper jewelry, decorative items, and other parts that are almost 100% copper. While for more advanced production, 3D printers using copper powder, rods or copper polymer slurry produce industrial parts with excellent mechanical and conductive properties, which can meet international standards such as IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). nine0004

Let's look at what types of printers can work with copper today.

Trumpf's TruPrint 1000 Green Edition 3D printer

several equipment manufacturers have recently included copper in their material list. Since copper is highly reflective, laser processing of the powder has been a hurdle for manufacturers. However, this technology and materials have evolved to solve this problem. nine0004

3D printer manufacturer Trumpf, for example, has developed an industrial green laser that can 3D print materials such as copper, copper alloys, and precious metals that are difficult to process with infrared waves.

Two powder layer technologies for metal 3D printing, DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) and EBM (Electron Beam Melting), work by depositing a thin layer of copper powder onto a platform inside the printer. The powder heats up while lasers or electron beams draw the first layer of the part. When the particles in the layer fuse, the platform is lowered slightly into the assembly chamber, and fresh powder is poured on top, and the process is repeated. Some of the copper powder left over from the process can be recycled for use in the next print. nine0004

Copper additive manufacturing powder from GNK Powder Metallurgy (Source: GNK)

Copper-bonded 3D inkjet printers

Copper powder bonded with a liquid binder and sintered in a furnace is a 3D printing technique known as binder inkjet printing that allows parts to be obtained without the use of an auxiliary material. Bond jetting is a no-heat process in which a bonding layer is sprayed between each layer of metal; the binder is then removed during the sintering process. nine0004

Binder blasting is a popular additive manufacturing method for high volume metal parts.

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Metal-on-Copper FDM Blasting Bet

Metal-on-Copper Printed Copper Parts

The most economical approach to 3D printing copper parts is to use machines that extrude the filament. Metal filament for printing metal parts consists of a plastic base with metal particles evenly interspersed in it. Copper interspersed filament for copper parts is a unique type of composite filament that, when used correctly, produces strong, chemically resistant, and near-solid metal parts. nine0004

Virtually any Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer can print near-solid metal parts using copper-filled polymer filament. Currently, there is only one option on the market - from the manufacturer of threads The Virtual Foundry. The company claims that its copper filament is suitable for printing on any filament 3D printer with a hardened nozzle and a hot end that can reach temperatures of up to 225ºC. However, the parts do not become metal immediately after printing and require additional post-printing steps to melt the resin binder and leave only the metal. nine0004

Other types of copper thread contain enough real copper particles to be polished and given a metal-like weight, but are for decorative purposes.

A Chilean company called Copper3D produces a copper-filled filament that produces parts that do not have metal parts, but parts that have the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of copper. NASA is even testing the filament for use in "interplanetary microbial contamination," according to the company. nine0004

In addition to the mainstream FDM printers, two other filament-extruding printers also offer copper, but they use their own proprietary materials. Desktop Metal uses a bonded metal filament, while Markforged uses a similar metal powder bonded into a plastic matrix. The printers from these manufacturers produce all-metal parts designed for industrial use, such as machine tools, induction coils, heat sinks, and functional prototypes. nine0004

Cold spray and DED copper 3D printers

WarpSpee3D cold spray 3D printer (Source: Spee3D)

Although these two methods of metal 3D printing are not usually combined together, we are combining them here due to their general application for coating metal parts with another metal and for layering metal parts with metal powder.

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a system developed by Optomec of New Mexico to create, improve and repair metal parts. Like SLS, in DED, high-power lasers build up 3D structures in layers, creating parts with high density and strength, ideal for mechanical applications. In 2019Optomec developed a new copper DED process to produce heat exchangers for use in the aerospace, chemical and other industries.

Spee3D's WarpSpee3D process is unique in its use of supersonic 3D deposition to produce parts from a range of metal powder materials, including copper and aluminum.

Cold spray is an additive manufacturing technique in which metal powder is injected into a supersonic pressurized gas stream. Instead of melting the metal, cold spraying holds it together in a process called plastic deformation. Companies such as Spee3D are using cold spray technology to apply an antimicrobial copper coating to doors, handrails and touch panels intended for use in hospitals, schools and other public places. nine0004

Cold spray is also the fastest metal 3D printing method. Spee3D printed a 17.9kg (17.9kg) pure copper aerospace rocket nozzle lining (pictured below) on WarpSpee3D in about three hours at a cost of just $716, according to the company. Parts like this are usually made from solid forged copper, which takes weeks and costs tens of thousands of dollars.

One of the disadvantages of DED and cold spray is that they are limited in the production of complex geometries. nine0004

Rocket nozzle copper plating, engineer spark-free copper hammer and copper cable clamp, 3D printed by Spee3D (Source: Spee3D)

Photopolymerization Holo)

Metal DLP 3D printing is similar to resin 3D printing in that it uses UV light projected onto a photosensitive slurry to cure layer by layer. Instead of resin, metal DLP printers use a liquid polymer filled with metal powder and a small amount of binder. After the parts are printed, they have to go through several more stages before they become the final metal parts. Metallic DLP printing is valued for fine detail. nine0004

California startup Holo recently completed a facility where it plans to 3D print pure copper parts on its proprietary 3D printers that are not for sale. Holo will specialize in 3D printed copper cooling solutions for high performance computers, electric vehicles, RF antennas and heat exchangers.

Admatec, a Dutch manufacturer of 3D printers, offers printers that also use copper slurry to produce highly detailed copper parts. nine0004

Copper slurry material for 3D printing (Source: Admatec)

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