AMUG Newsletter for August 2025 – Additive Manufacturing Users Group

August 2025

President’s Report

We are less than 8 months away from gathering at AMUG 2026. It’s time to buckle down and get all the nitty-gritty details in order so that when we open the registration counter, you will enter with glee, anticipation, and unmatched enthusiasm as you reunite with, or meet for the first time, other users.

Our board always gathers in person in July (so newly elected board members are fully seated in their new roles that commence on July 1) at the upcoming conference hotel. As you can imagine, that has meant we have been in Chicago every summer for the meeting. NOT THIS YEAR!!

Shannon VanDeren
President

We spent the week at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, where AMUG 2026 will be held. It is a spectacular venue for a conference…the exhibit space has a terrific layout (all on the ground floor and in one area – no elevator required), the meeting rooms are set up for ease of seating and sharing by presenters/panels, the workshop space will allow us to continue offering extraordinary learnings, and the main stage will be marvelous for sound, visibility, and comfort. And not to leave out another component of an AMUG Conference, the food at this venue is great!

We departed the conference venue with excitement, knowing it will serve our mission very well.

Our volunteers are starting to gather and set up our regular cadence of meetings so that we can assemble this conference and ensure it is relevant, impactful, educational, encouraging, thought-provoking, and inspiring. While we are setting up to do our work to get AMUG ready for 2026, there are some things for you to be on the lookout for as well:

Registration for AMUG 2026 will open September 2. You may register on the AMUG website’s registration page (the registration link will be activated at 9:00 am (EDT) on that date).
- You can register as an attendee.
- You can register as a sponsor or exhibitor (the prospectus is now available).
- You can also book your hotel room at Grand Sierra Resort to enjoy our negotiated pricing (click here).
Call for Speakers is now open.
- If you desire to share your learning or experience, be sure to submit an abstract for consideration to be included in the AMUG agenda.
- If you are interested in hosting a hands-on workshop, submit for that too. Our members are giving us excellent feedback on the opportunity to work while they learn… engaging our hands and minds in a workshop helps develop and improve muscle memory.
Technical Competition (coming soon).
- Submissions to enter the competition will be accepted in Q4 2025, but be thinking about what you can fabricate to show off your skillset in AM.
- There are two categories for submission: Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing. You can read more about these categories here.

Our enthusiasm is renewed after gathering as a board, in person. We have evaluated and planned and are now executing. Our goal is to create the event where the community comes together for coaching, sharing, demonstrating, and networking. Bringing together members who use and represent additive technologies and the ancillary technologies that make them a success is our way of building our community.

Sponsors: take advantage of this opportunity to share time with users (some will already be your customers and some may be a customer one day)…train them by way of demos and more hands-on experience, showcase your differentiated offering, supplement your existing customer’s learnings, bring new ideas and solutions those not yet taking advantage of your offering. This is your opportunity to train and empower your prospective customers.

If you have questions, we are here to answer them. What can we be doing to be helpful to you as you prepare to join us in Reno??

Make it a super start into the fall season…

Shannon VanDeren
President
President@amug.com

Registration – Mark Your Calendar for September 2

While the location for the AMUG Conference has changed this year, we’re happy to share that the prices have remained the same!

Filled with new industry-specific content, hands-on workshops, and weeklong networking opportunities, AMUG 2026 promises to deliver new learnings, opportunities, and connections. Make sure to schedule meetings with your team in the coming weeks to determine who will join us at the conference so that they can take advantage of the early-bird pricing of $1,295 per attendee (includes sessions, evening activities and food & beverage).

The portal to register will open promptly at 9:00 am EDT on Tuesday, September 2, for attendees and sponsors/exhibitors. Access the registration portal here.

We look forward to welcoming you to Reno!

AMUG 2025 registration desk volunteers.

New Members at AMUG Conferences

It is hard to believe that AMUG 2025 is already in the rearview mirror and even harder to believe that AMUG 2026 registration opens in just a few weeks…but here we are! From experience, we know that it’s never too early to start planning to attend AMUG 2026.

At AMUG 2025, we saw an incredible wave of first-time attendees who jumped in with both feet. Not only did they show up ready to learn, but they got involved in a big way. From the AMUGderby to presenting in the Technical Competition, leading workshops, and even stepping up to present their own sessions, our new members made a huge impact.

It was inspiring to watch people who were newbies in the morning become full-on contributors by the end of the week. That’s the magic of AMUG; when we say “For Users, By Users,” we mean it. And this year’s first-timers brought their A-games!

Ryan Watkins (second from left), a new member, competed in the Technical Competition and delivered the Tuesday keynote presentation.

Of course, this didn’t happen in a vacuum. A huge shoutout to everyone who took the time to welcome a new face, answer a question, invite someone to sit with them at lunch, or just share their AMUG story. That simple act of inclusion can be what turns someone from a nervous first-timer into a lifelong AMUGer.

So what’s next? Well, we keep it going! If you know someone who’s been on the fence about attending — whether they’re new to additive or just new to AMUG — now’s the time to start planting the seed. Let’s make 2026 another banner year for new members, fresh ideas, and continued community growth.

Thanks again to all of you who make AMUG such a welcoming, knowledge-sharing powerhouse. Let’s keep bringing the energy and growing this amazing community — one new face at a time.

See you in 2026!

Sponsorship Registration for AMUG 2026 Opens September 2

Sponsor and exhibitor registration for the 2026 AMUG Conference opens September 2, 2025. The conference will be held March 15–19, 2026, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

After many years in Chicago, the move to Reno offers new opportunities to connect with the AMUG community. The Summit Pavilion expo space features a modern layout with improved flow, creating an engaging environment for both attendees and sponsors. The location also broadens access to participants from the western U.S. while continuing to draw a strong national and international audience.

Diamond Sponsors addressing AMUG 2025 attendees in a spotlight panel.

The AMUG Conference provides a unique platform to:

Engage directly with experienced AM users and decision-makers
Build relationships through all-inclusive meals, receptions, and networking events
Showcase innovations with live equipment demos, hands-on workshops, and technical presentations
Gain year-round brand exposure through AMUG’s website, mobile app, and newsletters

Sponsorship packages are available at multiple levels, each designed to maximize value and visibility. Space is limited, and booth priority is determined by registration date within each sponsorship level.

For details on benefits and opportunities, review the 2026 AMUG Conference Sponsor & Exhibitor Prospectus. For sponsors or exhibitor questions, contact us at sponsorship@amug.com.

AMUG Tracks Restructured

We’re shaking things up!

The Track Leader Committee is excited to announce that the technical tracks, as well as the Diamond/Platinum tracks, have been revamped for AMUG 2026.

The tracks are now organized to focus on industry verticals within the AM industry, and they include:

One of many technical sessions in the AMUG 2025 agenda.

Aerospace
Automotive, Transportation & Infrastructure
Business & Finance
Consumer Products & Lifestyle
Design, Simulation & AI
Defense
Education, Standards & Workforce Development

Emerging Technologies & Innovation
Energy, Power & Sustainability
Healthcare, Medical Devices & Dental
Industrial Applications
Materials
Post Processing & Advanced Finishing
Workshops & Hands-on Learning

If you have an idea for a presentation, panel discussion, workshop or user engagement roundtable, please consider submitting an abstract!

Call for Speakers is Now Open — AMUG 2026

The AMUG Conference agenda is divided into two sections: AMUG technical tracks and Diamond/Platinum Sponsor tracks. This call for speakers is for the AMUG technical tracks, where the focus will be on providing technical training, educational talks, hands-on workshops, user-engagement roundtables, and panel discussions led by users of AM technology. Commercial presentations and sales pitches will be rejected.

When responding to the Call for Speakers, please submit an abstract of your presentation, workshop, roundtable discussion or panel discussion directly to the submission portal. Submit your abstract here.

Questions may be submitted directly to the Track Leader Committee Co-Chairs, Callie Higgins and Colton Rooney, at TrackLeader@amug.com.

The deadline for abstract submissions is October 31, 2025.

Hands-on workshop conducted at AMUG 2025.

Hotel Reservations Opening Soon

Reservations for the Grand Sierra Resort, where the conference and all activities will take place, will be accepted starting on September 2, 2025. We’ve secured a special rate of just $159/night (plus tax) with no resort fees for conference nights (Sunday, March 15 – Thursday, March 19). For those arriving early or extending their stay, weekend rates of $279/night** (plus tax) apply to Friday and Saturday reservations.

**AMUG has a limited number of rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis at a discounted rate of $159/night for attendees arriving early on Friday, March 13, and/or Saturday, March 14. See the link below for additional details.

The Grand Sierra Resort offers fantastic amenities, including a pool, spa, casino, bowling alley, and numerous dining options. Plus, it’s a great home base for exploring local attractions like Lake Tahoe, world-class ski resorts, golf courses, and the historic “Old West” mining town of Virginia City, all less than an hour away.

For more information on AMUG’s official 2026 conference hotel, and to make reservations, visit our website’s hotel page.

Grand Sierra Resort
Reservations accepted starting September 2.

SPONSOR NEWS

GoEngineergoengineer.com

Join GoE and Stratasys on the Road to Success

Stratasys and GoEngineer are bringing advanced AM directly to you. This mobile showroom features five industrial 3D printers, real-world applications, and expert insights—all in one stop.

Explore how additive is transforming industries like aerospace, healthcare, and automotive. Whether you’re focused on prototyping, tooling, or production, this is your chance to evaluate cutting-edge solutions up close.

Reserve your spot today.

Upcoming locations and dates:

Philadelphia, PA – September 5
Cincinnati, OH – September 24
Indianapolis, IN – October 7
Berkeley, MO – October 14
Kansas City, MO – October 15
Tucson, AZ – October 23
Huntsville, AL – November 12
Savannah, GA – November 18

Inside the Stratasys Truck’s mobile showroom.

Würth Additive Groupwurthadditive.com

Würth Additive Demo Days 2025 Tour

The 2025 Würth Additive Demo Days | Digital Manufacturing Tour is officially underway!

Join us for hands-on demos, supply chain insights and additive innovation.

Stay connected through our new WAG Showcase Page and explore the full tour schedule on our Demo Days Landing Page.

Don’t miss out on your WAG SWAG — with exclusive giveaways just for our AMUG members. See you on tour!

First stop for the Demo Days Tour was Greenfield, IN, WAG’s Hangar Headquarters.

SMEsme.org

RAPID + TCT 2026: Forge Deals. Fuel Growth.

Build face-to-face relationships with industry veterans and new-to-AM attendees at North America’s largest AM and industrial 3D printing event.

“Exhibiting at RAPID + TCT has been a key part of our growth in the additive manufacturing industry. We leave not just with contacts, but with real industrial opportunities,” said Jake Jones, manager, AM business development, Penn United Technologies, Inc.

Click here to learn more about showcasing your AM products and services at RAPID + TCT 2026, taking place April 14-16 in Boston!

Will attendees discover YOUR solutions at RAPID + TCT 2026?

Stratasysstratasys.com

Stratasys Celebrates 10 Years of the Fortus 450mc 3D Printer

Over the past decade, the Fortus 450mc system has earned its reputation as a reliable, mid-level FDM^® workhorse, with 92% of installed systems still producing parts. Manufacturers worldwide utilize the system to create high-strength jigs, fixtures, production tooling, and end-use parts, supported with industrial-grade performance and material versatility.

This latest version of the Fortus 450mc printer enhances this legacy with upgrades designed to improve application range, productivity, connectivity, and security. New features include:

Hardened components to support materials like FDM^®Nylon 12CF and Antero^®
An all-materials license for full access to the Fortus 450mc materials portfolio
A one-year software license for GrabCAD Streamline Pro™ (providing enterprise-grade cybersecurity capabilities) and GrabCAD Print Pro™ (delivering great precision, real-time insights, and workflow optimization, as well as access to fixturemate by trinckle)

For more information and testimonials about the Fortus 450mc printer, click here.

The newest version of the Stratasys Fortus 450mc is a workhorse industrial 3D printer, designed for customers who demand durability, precision, and repeatability.

MEDIA SPONSOR NEWS

The TCT Groupthetctgroup.com

TCT Deep Dives – Exclusive, Subscriber-only AM Content

TCT’s Additive Insight Deep Dives are delivered exclusively to TCT Magazine subscribers every month – each one a singular long-form piece of content that reaches the depths of AM’s biggest questions and is sent directly to your inbox.

In our most recent edition, TCT’s Sam Davies explored whether Chinese OEMs will take over industrial AM and how market leaders should respond. Next month, the focus will be on the growing application of AM in the drone sector, from defense and surveillance to agriculture and energy.

This in-depth report will feature insights from leading AM technology OEMs and materials providers, as well as several drone manufacturers, as it seeks to understand the impact 3D printing has had on this market so far and how the application of the technology will evolve moving forward.

The only way to get access to this original content – and more original AM insights – is with a subscription to TCT Magazine. Get yours here.

TCT subscribers have access to Additive Insight Deep Dives.

Metal AM magazinemetal-am.com

Formnext is Coming. Is Your Brand Ready?

The autumn issue of Metal AM – our Formnext issue – is the essential platform for industry suppliers who want to connect with a global audience of decision-makers at a crucial time for 2026 planning.

Extensive pre-event digital distribution – plus on-site distribution from media points and our booth
40,000+ digital magazine views per issue
Promoted to 39,500+ LinkedIn followers – the most-followed AM platform with industry-leading engagement
A truly international readership (47% Americas, 35% Europe, 18% Asia)

Advertising in Metal AM magazine ensures your message reaches the right people – from end-user engineers and designers to industry executives shaping the future of AM.

The artwork deadline is September 27, 2025. Please contact Jon Craxford (jon@inovar-communications.com) for your media pack and proposal.

Be seen in the Formnext issue of Metal AM.

3D Adept3dadept.com

Why Ceramic 3D Printing Excels for Fabricating Earmolds, and Where Does the Opportunity Lie?

If you’ve ever struggled to pick out a friend’s voice in a crowded room, imagine how much harder it is for someone with hearing loss. Conventional hearing aids often fall short — they can be affected by earwax buildup, discomfort, connectivity problems, and challenges with understanding speech in noisy environments. Surprisingly, one tiny component can make a big difference: the earmold.

To understand how its design and manufacturing can overcome some of these challenges, we spoke with Dr. Daniel Bomze (Lithoz GmbH), Dr. Christoph Lauer (CADdent GmbH), and Jurij Belik (OC Otoplastisches Centrum GmbH).

Together, we discussed the role of an earmold, the materials that make a good earmold, the reasons why ceramics excel in this application, and where the opportunity lies in the market.

Read the full story here.

3D printed ceramic earmolds. (courtesy of Lithoz)

Engineering.comengineering.com

Making Waves with 3D Printing

Discover how engineers are turning plastic waste into superior surfboards using AM.

Read the article here.

Image courtesy of Wyve.

VoxelMattersvoxelmatters.com

VoxelMatters Ceramic AM Focus 2025 eBook Out Now

In our 2025 Ceramic AM eBook, we are placing the focus squarely on technical ceramics, a sub-segment that represents an increasingly important market share of the broader ceramic AM market (which also includes traditional ceramic materials like clay and sand). While technical ceramics are unparalleled in their material properties, their application has been historically limited due to processing challenges using conventional methods. In recent decades, this has started to change thanks to AM technologies.

Download the free Ceramic AM Focus 2025 eBook here.

Ceramic AM Focus 2025 eBook.

3DPrint.com3dprint.com

AM Research Reports $3.58B Q1 Revenues, Opens Access to Free Data

The AM industry posted a strong start to 2025, with global revenues reaching $3.58 billion in the first quarter, according to the latest analysis from Additive Manufacturing Research (AM Research). The data reflects 9% year-over-year growth, pointing to slow but steady momentum across hardware, materials, and services.

The findings come from AM Research’s Q1 2025 3DP/AM Market Data and Forecast and its companion Market Insights report, both are part of the firm’s ongoing effort to provide real-time visibility into the evolving 3D printing landscape.

Now, AM Research is going one step further by making select data from its proprietary Q1 2025 report freely available to the industry. The move is designed to help more engineers, analysts, and business leaders stay informed about the direction of the AM market, mainly as the industry pivots away from hype-driven growth and toward real-world adoption.