Key Takeaways
- Xact Metal posted >30 % YoY order growth in Q2‑Q3 2026 and opened sales for the new XM300G midsize LPBF system.
- XM300G delivers a 300 × 300 × 300 mm build envelope (upgradable to 300 × 400 mm) with interchangeable platforms and 1‑4 independent lasers.
- Snapmaker launched a tungsten‑based filament that can be fused on its hybrid metal‑plastic printers, expanding desktop metal capability.
- Freemelt’s ColorMix™ extruder blends up to six base pigments in real time, enabling on‑the‑fly color changes without tool swaps.
- Eplus3D introduced a hybrid additive‑subtractive workstation that couples laser sintering with CNC milling in a single cell.
- A custom‑fit prosthetic socket was produced in under 24 h using multi‑material printing, cutting patient wait time by 60 %.
- A student‑run nonprofit demonstrated a color‑changing FDM printer that can be operated by children using a tablet‑based UI.
Xact Metal Reports Record Q2‑Q3 Orders and Launches XM300G
Pennsylvania‑based Xact Metal, a private‑equity‑backed pioneer of low‑cost metal additive manufacturing, announced that orders for its portfolio rose 30 % year‑over‑year through September 2026. The surge pushed both Q2 and Q3 into “record” territory, according to CEO Juan Mario Gómez.
The company simultaneously opened the order book for the XM300G, the latest addition to its midsize laser powder‑bed fusion (LPBF) line. Key specifications include:
| Specification | XM300G | XM200G | Typical Desktop Metal LPBF (e.g., Markforged Metal X) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Volume | 300 × 300 × 300 mm (upgradable to 300 × 300 × 400 mm) | 200 × 200 × 200 mm | 165 × 165 × 260 mm |
| Laser Count | 1, 2, or 4 independent fiber lasers (up to 1 kW total) | 1 or 2 lasers (max 600 W) | 1 laser (max 400 W) |
| Platform | Swappable steel/ceramic plates, auto‑leveling | Fixed steel plate | Fixed steel plate |
| Material Library | 30+ alloys (AlSi10Mg, 316L, Inconel 625, etc.) | 20+ alloys | 15+ alloys |
| Price (US $) | $749,000 (base) | $525,000 | $699,000 |
Gómez highlighted that the XM300G’s “interchangeable build platform and scalable laser architecture make it a versatile bridge between prototyping and low‑volume production.”
Snapmaker Adds Tungsten Filament for Hybrid Metal‑Plastic Prints
Snapmaker’s latest material release is a tungsten‑infused polymer filament (15 % wt. tungsten) compatible with its 3‑in‑1 printer series. When printed at 260 °C and subsequently sintered in a low‑temperature furnace (≈ 650 °C), the filament achieves a bulk density of 7.8 g/cm³ and a hardness of HV ≈ 210—sufficient for functional fixtures and radiation shielding components.
Freemelt’s ColorMix™ Extruder Enables Real‑Time Hue Shifts
Freemelt unveiled the ColorMix™ extruder, which houses six separate pigment reservoirs (CMYK + White + Black). The system can blend colors on‑the‑fly with a resolution of 0.1 % per pigment, allowing a single print to transition through over 10,000 distinct shades without stopping. The extruder plugs into any standard FDM printer via a universal CAN‑bus interface.
Eplus3D Rolls Out a Hybrid Additive‑Subtractive Workstation
Eplus3D’s new Hybrid‑3X workstation merges a 200 W laser sintering chamber (powder‑bed) with a 12‑axis CNC milling module. The combined cell can print and mill a part in a single unattended cycle, reducing post‑processing time by up to 45 % for aerospace brackets and tooling inserts.
Custom Prosthetic Socket Delivered in 24 Hours
A collaboration between a regional orthotics lab and a university additive‑manufacturing group produced a patient‑specific prosthetic socket using a multi‑material approach (rigid TPU core, flexible silicone sleeve). The entire workflow—scanning, design, printing, and finishing—was completed in 22 hours, cutting the typical 5‑day turnaround by **60 %
