November 2025
President’s Report
Being that it’s a month that often leans toward GRATITUDE, I want to take a dedicated moment to express our most sincere gratitude to the multitude of people contributing their time and energy to build our next AMUG Conference… our board of directors, our committee chairs, our committee members, our volunteers, our contractors, and our committed sponsors and exhibitors! I’ll also extend my appreciation to those committed to speaking/training at our 2026 conference—you are vital to creating technical content that both educates and inspires the AMUG membership!
Shannon VanDeren
President
AMUG 2026 is only four months away. Four months until we are back together for the AMUG reunion! It never gets old for me. 2026 is even more exciting because we will reunite, but in a different location. We are thrilled to be hosting AMUG in a different geographic area and at a different venue. We heard your call about making the change, and we are now preparing to gather for the first time in Reno. Not only is the Grand Sierra Resort a lovely property, but the views (even from the parking lot) are stunning! I know I’ll be taking some short walks outside periodically to enjoy it.
Sponsor registration is open. Our booth selection process has begun. Happily, at this venue, we can have our sponsors in one space (we do have an overflow area if required). We are eager to learn from our sponsors as they share what they are growing and developing, which helps inspire creativity and innovation (the very things that drive this industry). If you offer a service/product in the AM space (or ancillary offerings), we’d love to have you be part of the AMUGexpo. AMUG has always strived to have our expo be a bit of a classroom—our sponsors have a wonderful opportunity to teach, encourage, and inspire existing users to be even better!
How else can you learn while at AMUG 2026? There are opportunities to learn and share throughout the AMUG Conference, including pre-conference training, educational tracks, workshops, and keynotes. The track leaders are sorting through speaker submissions to assemble our preliminary conference agenda. We had a terrific problem this year… we have many more submissions than we have spaces available. This allows our team to exercise discretion in identifying the best sessions that are relevant and teaching-focused for our members who invest time in participating.
Don’t forget some of the pre-conference action steps you can be taking: (1) Register as an attendee; (2) Book your hotel room at the Grand Sierra Resort; (3) Plan your travel (airport is RNO); (4) Consider entering our Technical Competition; (5) Encourage students, educators, and educational institutions you know to apply for our scholarships – one for students, one for educators; (6) Register for a pre-conference training; (7) Nominate an industry peer for a DINO Award; (8) Consider running for an AMUG Board position that will go to vote at our conference; and (9) Consider volunteering at the conference by completing our volunteer form.
As always, if I can be helpful to you as you consider your involvement with AMUG 2026, I want to hear from you! Do not hesitate to reach out to me at President@amug.com.
I look forward to sharing a week with you in March!
Shannon VanDeren
President
President@amug.com
Register Now to Save
Planning doesn’t just ensure that you’ll be prepared—it also means you’ll SAVE $200 on your AMUG Conference registration if you register by December 12.
This year will be one for the history books, with an update to our tracks that now focus on vertical segments, such as aerospace, healthcare, automotive, design, and simulation. We’ll also have many more hands-on workshops and experiences. Additionally, the all-inclusive environment fosters networking that remains unrivalled at other industry events.
Whether you’re coming on your own or planning out your team’s attendance, there’s no better time to register to learn about the latest in AM.
Register today. See you in Reno!
Join the AMUG Board of Directors:
This is Your Chance to Make a Difference!
Attention AMUG members: Are you ready to take your involvement to the next level and help shape the future of AMUG?
We are preparing for the elections of officers and directors during AMUG 2026. Your first step in being a candidate is the Submission of Interest form, which is now open.
This is your opportunity to contribute your expertise, vision, and passion to a community that thrives on collaboration and shared learning. Serving on the AMUG Board is your opportunity to:
- Drive the strategic direction of our organization
- Expand your network with industry leaders
- Play an integral role in advancing the AM community
AMUG Job Descriptions & Election Information provides the details and the link to send us your Submission of Interest.
If you have any questions, please contact the Nominating Committee at nomcom@amug.com.
Nominations for DINO Awards
As we near Thanksgiving in the USA, let’s take a moment to be thankful for some of the early pioneers in our industry who have been recognized as Distinguished INnovator Operators (DINOs).
Our DINOs include members such as Rob Connelly, founder of Fineline Prototyping; Joe Allison, founder of Solid Concepts; David Leigh, founder of Harvest Technologies; and Dave Flynn and Tom Mueller, co-founders of Prototype Express and Plynetics Express. Each of these DINO recipients has contributed great things to our industry, and each has been very involved with the AMUG organization. They are just a few of the 197 DINO Award winners who make AMUG great!
Do you know someone (or are you someone) who should be recognized alongside these industry stalwarts?
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 DINO Awards. You don’t have to be a “founder”, just a passionate AMUG member with 10+ years of industry experience and a contributor to the group. Visit DINO Selection to nominate yourself or someone you know to be deserving.
Amy Alexander (right), Unit Head at the Mayo Clinic, receiving her DINO at AMUG 2025.
Don’t Miss Out on the AMUG Scholarships
Help Us Spread the Word!
As we look ahead to another incredible AMUG Conference, we’re calling on our community to help us find the next generation of scholarship winners. The AMUG Scholarship Program is now accepting applications through January 15, 2026.
We’re asking every AMUG member to think about who they might know—whether that’s a promising student, an inspiring educator, or a colleague mentoring the next wave of makers—that are deserving of this recognition.
Each year, AMUG awards two scholarships that truly change lives: the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship for students and the Randy Stevens Scholarship for educators. Both recipients receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the AMUG Conference, where they immerse themselves in a week of learning, collaboration, and connection with AM professionals.
2025 scholarship winners Colleen Murray and Justin Levy.
For many, this experience becomes the turning point in their careers—a launchpad for research, innovation, and lifelong involvement in the AM community.
The student scholarship honors curiosity and innovation and is designed for those exploring new frontiers in AM through research, design, or hands-on projects. The educator scholarship recognizes those who are shaping the future by teaching, inspiring, and mentoring the next generation of additive thinkers. Both awards celebrate passion and the pursuit of excellence in advancing AM education and application.
If you’ve mentored a student who’s shown outstanding creativity, worked alongside a teacher who’s gone above and beyond for their program, or supervised an intern who left a lasting impression—please encourage them to apply. Your recommendation could be what helps them take that next big step in their journey.
Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2026, and complete details, eligibility criteria, and past recipient stories can be found here. Don’t wait—take a moment today to pass it along, post it on LinkedIn, or mention it to someone you think deserves the opportunity. Together, we can help ensure the next generation of AM leaders finds their path through AMUG.
Max Lobovsky: 2026 Innovators Award
AMUG has selected Max Lobovsky, co-founder and CEO of Formlabs, for its 2026 Innovators Award. This recognition places him among 10 other industry luminaries, including Scott Crump and Chuck Hull.
Shannon VanDeren, AMUG president, said, “The AMUG Board admires his story. Max’s leadership and tenacity deserve to be recognized by our Innovators Award.” She also noted, “Max was an obvious selection for the Innovators Award, and we were unanimous in our decision.”
Those who join us at AMUG 2026 will hear Max’s story and benefit from his insights when he takes the stage for the Innovators Showcase. This conference highlight will feature Max in a friendly, relaxed discussion unfolding before the attendees. Following the Innovators Showcase, Max will receive the Innovators Award.
Max Lobovsky, Formlabs’ CEO, has been selected for the 2026 Innovators Award.
AMUGderby Returns in 2026
The AMUGderby is back for its third year of racing after two years of intense competition for the fastest time!
Inspired by the long-running Pinewood Derby of Scouting America (aka “Boy Scouts”), cars race down a straight track, powered only by gravity. In the AMUGderby, the racecars are designed and 3D printed by AMUG members.
AMUG 2026 will feature both the standard class and the open class, which allows additional car modifications not permitted in the standard class. Awards will be given to the fastest car in each class, and judges will also select a winner for the “best design” award.
The race will take place during AMUG 2026 on March 18 (Wednesday). For race rules and race registration, visit the AMUGderby page.
The starting line at the 2025 AMUGderby.
Interested in Skiing While in Reno-Tahoe?
AMUG, together with our meetings and events services company, Red Oak, is working on a group ski trip with discounted tickets and transportation from the resort.
We are just gauging interest at this point, as we’d need a minimum of 30 participants to make it worthwhile for everyone.
The outing would be a ski trip to Mt. Rose, which is 30 minutes from the Grand Sierra Resort. The trip would include a full-day lift ticket plus round-trip transportation.
Interested in a ski trip? Let us know.
We are thinking of doing the ski trip on the Saturday before the conference (March 14), but the Friday after (March 20) is also possible. Let us know which is best for you.
If you are interested, please let us know by completing this form. With enough interest (approximately 30), Red Oak can put together the group package and work on official registration.
Interested in other Reno/Tahoe activities? Check out the Visit Reno/Tahoe site for ideas to make the most of your time in the area (outdoor adventures, indoor attractions, shows, shopping and more).
Hotel Reservations Are Now Open
Reservations for the Grand Sierra Resort, where the conference and all activities will take place, are now open. 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 your reservations, visit the Grand Sierra Resort page on our website.
Book your room at the Grand Sierra Resort for your AMUG 2026 experience.
SPONSOR NEWS
AMT PostProamtechnologies.com
AMT Unveils Advanced Post-Processing Solutions at Formnext
At Formnext 2025, AMT will present its latest advancements in automated post-processing, setting a new benchmark for scalability, efficiency, and surface quality in AM.
Among the highlights is the PostPro UP, AMT’s new unpacking system designed to streamline powder removal with both speed and operator safety. Available in configurations compatible with HP Natural Cooling Units, EOS P3 Build Units, and Stratasys SAF units, it provides a seamless and efficient first step in the fully automated PostPro workflow.
Also debuting at the show is the PostPro SF2X, a new addition to AMT’s vapor smoothing series. With the same compact footprint as the popular SFX system but twice the chamber capacity, it delivers increased throughput for higher-volume production. Further complementing these launches are Dye BLK capsules, which deliver deep, uniform coloring at up to half the cost and are compatible with all major dyeing systems.
Together, these solutions advance AMT’s mission to fully automate and industrialize post-processing for AM.
Visit AMT at Formnext, Booth E41, Hall 12.1, to experience the future of automated post-processing.
AMT is presenting its latest automated post-processing systems at Formnext 2025.
GoEngineergoengineer.com
Turn Purchases into Tax Savings
A Section 179 tax deduction does that by allowing businesses to write off the cost of qualifying equipment and software, rather than depreciating it over several years. In 2025, you can get 100% bonus depreciation for up to $2,500,000 on eligible equipment and software to turn this year’s equipment purchases into instant tax savings. This deduction is an often-underutilized opportunity for businesses to reinvest in the tools they need to grow. The trick is you need to buy and have the equipment at your business before December 31 to lock it in.
Don’t leave money on the table!
Learn more here.
Capital expense savings with Section 179 deductions.
Stratasysstratasys.com
New Materials, Features, and Software Advancements to Accelerate AM Productivity
Stratasys recently announced a series of innovations that expand material choices, improve throughput, and introduce new capabilities to help manufacturers streamline additive production.
Many of these solutions are on display at Formnext this week in Frankfurt, Germany. Visit Stratasys in Hall 12.1, D 121 to see nearly 200 production-grade parts across five technologies!
The Stratasys team at Formnext 2024.
Key advancements include:
FDM Highlights
- New CoatReady™ print mode for ULTEM™ 9085 resin on the F900: Designed to improve surface quality.
- ULTEM™ 9085 Filament CG for F3300:Aerospace-grade performance with full traceability and tighter diameter tolerance.
- Nylon 12CF T40 Tip for Fortus 450mc: Nearly double the build speed for large, high-strength parts.
- ABS Fortus®PLUS TrueRefill™: Sustainable, cost-effective filament refill solution, cutting material costs by over 35%.
SLA Update
- New LayerControl+™ for Predictive Thermal Build Management: Automatically adjusts layer delay times on the Neo800+ to manage thermal variations.
SAF Advancements
- Enhanced Accuracy Mode (EAM) for SAF™ PP on H350™:Optimized thermal management to improve dimensional accuracy, reduce warp, and deliver consistent quality across larger builds.
P3 DLP Innovations
- Ultracur3D®RG 3280 by Forward AM: Ceramic-filled material validated for Origin printers with high stiffness and heat deflection above 280°C.
MEDIA SPONSOR NEWS
3D Printing Industry3dprintingindustry.com
3DPI Awards Are Open
The 3D Printing Industry Awards return for 2026, marking nearly a decade of celebrating excellence and innovation in AM. Open to all, the awards recognize the people, companies, and technologies driving real-world progress across the sector.
Submit your nominations by January 31, 2026, and help shape this year’s celebration of industrial impact and imagination.
Also, learn how AM is reshaping production at scale in our article. In it, we discuss “slow industrialization of imagination” in the context of a decade of the Formnext show, which has evolved from hype to hard-won industrial reality.
AM’s future lies not in bigger lasers but in automation, software, and endurance.
3DPrint.com3dprint.com
Inside Prusa Day 2025: CoreOneL, OpenPrintTag & Silicone on the XL Unveiled
Prusa Day was an event on October 24 showcasing the many new innovations from Prusa. In addition to what the company showed us that day, the most important message was that Josef Prusa sees his firm as the “last man standing” that can make significant and well-working 3D printers in a free country. Prusa sees itself as the last company able to innovate on open-source systems in a struggle against closed systems.
All in all, this was an exciting day for Prusa and the open-source printer movement. Whereas the “last man standing” rhetoric sounds rather bombastic, Prusa systems are indeed the ones that you can hack, change, and truly own. The cloud is ephemeral, and you cannot know what happens to your data there. Closed systems are also not designed to be extended, repurposed, or reused.
Prusa has always been the best desktop company in terms of system longevity and QA. With its new releases, it is making a play for manufacturing and extensibility that goes beyond material extrusion. It would be good for the ecosystem for Prusa and the open-source community to prosper.
You can read the full story here.
An inside look at Prusa Day.
Digital Engineeringdigitalengineering247.com
Out Now: Annual Design & Simulation Software Guide
Digital Engineering has published its annual Design & Simulation Software Guide, featuring comprehensive lists of software vendors across CAD, simulation, PLM, ECAD, and other markets. There is also a lengthy list of design for AM vendors, design for manufacturing software products, and more.
You can download the guide here.
Grab your copy of the Design & Simulation Software Guide.
3D ADEPT3dadept.com
Pick Up the Latest 3D ADEPT Mag at Formnext 2025–Access the Digital Version Below
This September/October edition of 3D ADEPT Mag was put together amid the excitement surrounding Formnext’s 10th anniversary. Naturally, it led us to reflect on how far the AM industry has come: ten years of building, scaling, evolving, and learning.
But staying true to today’s market realities, we go beyond the usual narratives to explore how AM’s unique strengths (traceability and circularity) can directly support broader ESG goals.
Get the latest 3D ADEPT Mag at Formnext or by download.
Our focus on maritime and energy brings this conversation to life, as both sectors wrestle with the realities of decarbonization. You’ll discover the strategies used to measure the carbon footprint of 3D-printed parts and the ways AM applications can help energy equipment manufacturers meet climate targets without compromising performance.
And because innovation rarely stands still, we’re also turning our attention to mechanical and plant engineering, a field where AM is now proving its worth in very practical ways: by creating customized, functionally optimized parts, reducing development cycles, and improving maintenance efficiency.
Add to that a deep dive into new materials shaping the industry and the quiet revolution robotics is bringing to depowdering, and you’ve got a mix that perfectly captures where AM stands today: dynamic, mature, and still evolving.
Access the digital mag here. If you’re attending Formnext, pick up your print copy in Hall 11.0, Booth C21.
The TCT Groupthetctgroup.com
Welcome to the New TCT
Those of you who made the trip to Frankfurt this week will hopefully have spotted our new premium TCT Magazine.
Now published quarterly and mailed globally, we’ve developed a fresh look and feel, along with original editorial features designed to inform, inspire, and provide insight into the business and adoption of AM. Free of digital noise, every single page of editorial has been sourced by our editors through interviews, technical deep dives, and ‘through the doors’ reporting, fortified by our Editorial Advisory Board. Pick up a copy on stand 12.0, E112 or take a peek here.
We’re also excited to introduce the new TCT Membership Platform, your home for trusted AM intelligence and a vibrant global community. As a TCT Community Member, you’ll get access to our latest news, analysis, and digital features. With our Executive Membership, you can go even deeper with exclusive features, a monthly deep-dive newsletter report, VIP privileges at TCT events, a monthly member-only podcast, and more.
We look forward to welcoming you to the community!
3Dnatives3dnatives.com
The Aerospace-Inspired, 3D-Printed Frame Behind a Record-Breaking Racecar
AM has once again proven its ability to push the limits of performance. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme (U9X) shattered records at Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, completing a lap in just 6:59.157 minutes, over five seconds faster than the previous best for electric super sports cars. Not only did it claim the top spot in its class, but it also became the first mass-produced electric vehicle to break the seven-minute barrier.
Yangwang, a premium performance brand under Chinese automaker BYD, attributes this achievement to more than just power and aerodynamics. Yang Feng, head of the Yangwang Research Institute at BYD Auto Engineering Research Institute, revealed that part of his team’s success was due to looking to aerospace standards for producing the frame. By using multidimensional surface parametric modeling, the team ensured smooth, continuous transitions across complex curved surfaces.
Read the full story here.
The 3D-printed car frame was inspired by aerospace design principles. (Photo Credit: Yangwang)
VoxelMattersvoxelmatters.com
VoxelMatters Metal AM Focus 2025 eBook
Every year, our metal AM eBook is among our most anticipated. After all, the segment encompasses a range of companies, processes, and materials, and it touches a wide range of industries, from early adopters like aerospace to sectors eager to reap the benefits of AM, such as consumer goods.
Our newest eBook publication covers a number of topics within the metal AM sphere, from the cutting edge of metal AM services to new metal powders to process optimizations that continue to make the technology increasingly viable for industrial manufacturing.
The latest edition of the metal AM ebook.
As usual, we begin with our analysis chapter—with insights derived from our upcoming Metal AM Market Report—which looks at the top 10 metal AM companies in 2025. Next, we present an in-depth look at four new metal powder products launched by EOS, including an Invar powder that has an exceptionally low CTE. We then highlight a series of innovative, design-forward metal AM applications from the consumer sphere, including Apple’s latest iPhone.
Turning next to LFAM, we explore how AML3D’s WAM process is enabling faster, greener, and stronger production of metal parts in demanding, tough industries. We then present our mapping chapter that lays out the key metal and metal alloy families available today for the primary metal AM technologies—a valuable resource for anyone in the AM sector.
In our next piece, we dive into XJet’s NPJ solutions, which combine hardware and automated software to shorten the gap between as-printed parts and final components. Finally, with exclusive insights from MadeInAdd, we look at how the Milan-based manufacturer stands out with its 360-degree, end-to-end metal AM services.
Read the full eBook here.
DEVELOP3Ddevelop3d.com
Future Fabrication Special
The latest issue of DEVELOP3D Magazine is now available free online, featuring some incredible AM projects—from Riddell’s NFL helmets to J. Laverack’s custom titanium bike design for Aston Martin, and much more.
Grab your copy today.
Incredible AM projects highlighted in the latest issue.
Engineering.comengineering.com
Getting AM Standards on Track
We asked Stratasys Chief Business Unit Officer Rich Garrity about the state of standardization in 3D printing. “The progress on the standards front is slower than it should be. We’ve heard from our customers that we need to pick up the pace,” Garrity told us.
Read more of his thoughts on the subject of standards in our recent article.
Rich Garrity discusses standardization.
Metal AM magazinemetal-am.com
Discover the Autumn 2025 Issue of Metal Additive Manufacturing Magazine
From Apple’s new 3D-printed titanium watches to cutting-edge insights into applications, markets, materials, and production, this 236-page issue brings you the stories that showcase the future of manufacturing.
Featured highlights:
- Doing more with less: Domin’s evidence-based path to Additive Manufacturing success using maraging steel
- Beyond the ‘digital warehouse’: What’s really driving the Additive Manufacturing of spare parts in 2025
- Additive Manufacturing for spacecraft thermal management: Heat pipes, radiators, and the role of Shape Memory Alloys
- Additive Manufacturing at Plansee Seminar 2025: The rise of refractory metals and hard materials
- Tantalum without limits: Additive Manufacturing unlocks new medical and industrial applications
- From specification to standard: SAE’s role in aerospace and Additive Manufacturing
- Transforming suppressor engineering with metal Additive Manufacturing
Get your free PDF download here.
Metal AM magazine—download the latest issue.
