The 2023 3D Printing Industry Awards Gala Dinner. Photo: 3D Printing Industry3D Printing Industry (3DPI), a trade news publication for the additive manufacturing sector, has announced the commencement of the
3D Printing Industry Awards 2024, an annual event that recognises outstanding achievements in additive manufacturing (AM). Since its inception in 2016, these awards have highlighted the individuals, innovations, and enterprises that propel the 3-D printing sector forward.
The voting phase for the 2024 awards is currently underway, inviting professionals and enthusiasts to submit their choices across various categories. This inclusive approach ensures that the awards reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the industry. Voting is open until 13 December.
In addition to public nominations, the awards incorporate insights from an expert committee comprising seasoned professionals with nearly 2,000 years of combined experience in AM. This committee collaborates with the public to curate shortlists and select winners, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process.
Michael Petch, editor-in-chief of
3D Printing Industry, said: “
The 3DPI Awards are the largest annual survey of the state of the 3-D printing industry. Leading indicators, such as the number of start-ups and nominations received in related categories, such as innovation, exceeded previous years, an encouraging yard-stick to judge the industry’s health.”
The shortlists include applications using metal additive manufacturing (AM), such as
SpaceX’s Raptor 3 engine and 6K, which tackle the question of circularity and supply chain resilience for critical metals. AM’s application for hypersonic flight and NASA’s rotating detonation engine are highlighted.
Advance the industryThe
3DPI Awards celebrates individuals who foster communities and advance the industry, for example, Kimberly Gibson of
America Makes, promoting public-private collaboration to strengthen the additive manufacturing ecosystem. Or, Teula Bradshaw of the
Sanjay Mortimer Foundation who supports educational access to 3-D printing resources, empowering neurodiverse future engineers and makers.
Innovations of the year include Xolo Volumetric Printing, which uses a groundbreaking printing method that constructs entire objects simultaneously, enhancing print speed and enabling complex, uniform structures. Start-up nominee
3D Architech Inc is pioneering a gel-based metal 3-D printing process that enables micron-level precision, cost-effective production, and advanced cooling designs, impacting applications from heat sinks to clean energy.
Medical application of the year nominees included a groundbreaking step in tissue engineering, showcasing potential for future bioprinted organs and advancing regenerative medicine with Frontier Bio’s Lab Grown Lung Tissue. Also, Lithoz and Profactor INKplant Ceramic Jaw Implant, the world’s first 3-D printed ceramic jaw implant, combines biocompatibility and precision for transformative reconstructive facial surgeries.
Visit the
voting page for a full description of the nominees.
Mr Petch said: “The winners will receive not only the acclaim of the industry, but a unique 3-D printing trophy made from metal and polymers by our manufacturing partners
Desktop Metal and
3DPRINTUK. The winning design is selected from a competition hosted by
Printables by Prusa Research and featuring their community of highly talented designers.”
The wining designer of the trophy competition will receive a Prusa Research 3-D printer.