Here’s your Thursday 3D printing roundup for July 25, 2026:

3D printing in action

Printer News & Releases

  • Bambu Lab overtakes Creality as the world’s top-selling budget 3D printer brand — The resurgence in the 3D printer market continues to be fueled by affordable yet powerful options from Bambu Lab.
  • HeyGears G1 Series launches on Kickstarter — Bringing full-color 3D and UV printing to the desktop, expanding creative possibilities for makers and professionals alike.
  • New generation of 3D printers is changing the hobby — Advanced features like automated bed leveling and AI-powered error detection are making 3D printing more accessible than ever.
  • Best budget 3D printer deals 2026 — Huge deals available on Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Elegoo, and more from major retailers.
  • Best Multicolor 3D Printers of 2026 — Reviews highlight the latest machines capable of “printing the rainbow” with multiple extruders and filament swapping systems.
  • Bambu Lab and Prusa show off new 3D printers at Formnext — The H2C dual-nozzle uses Vortek nozzle technology to eliminate 3D printer “poop” (waste from tool changes).

Materials & Filaments

  • Color 3D printing from voxel-level jetting to sub-$500 filament extrusion — New technologies are making full-color printing accessible at various price points.
  • Protopasta shows latest materials at CES 2026 — New specialty filaments including conductive, glow-in-the-dark, and composite materials.

Software Updates

  • Slicer improvements across the board — Major slicer updates including Cura, PrusaSlicer, and Bambu Studio have added better multi-material support and improved print quality algorithms.
  • AI-powered print monitoring — More slicers are integrating AI to detect and prevent print failures before they waste time and filament.

Cool Projects & Prints

  • RIC Robotics collaborates with K4k Construction on 3D Printed ADU in Sacramento — Additive manufacturing enters mainstream construction with a 3D printed accessory dwelling unit.
  • 3D Printing News Briefs: Distribution, Board Game, & More — Community continues to innovate with creative applications of 3D printing technology.
  • 8 Cool New Gadgets For 3D Printing Coming In 2026 — From advanced nozzles to smart filament dryers, the accessory market is booming.

Industry Applications

  • GKN Aerospace & Pratt & Whitney to use Additive for the F135 Engine — Major aerospace manufacturers are increasingly relying on 3D printing for critical engine components.
  • R3 Printing bets on American-made Industrial FFF 3D Printers — Domestic manufacturing of industrial-grade FDM printers gains momentum.
  • Lithoz revenue up 40% as customers scale ceramic 3D printing — Ceramic additive manufacturing sees significant growth across multiple industries.
  • Beyond Thermoplastics: Why JuggerBot is betting on Hybrid AM — Hybrid manufacturing approaches combining multiple technologies are gaining traction.
  • Beehive Industries invests $70M in Ohio to support its advanced manufacturing buildup for propulsion — Major investment in additive manufacturing for aerospace propulsion systems.
  • AM Research Data shows 3D printing markets increased from $4.29B in Q4 2025 to $4.35B in Q1 2026 — The additive manufacturing market continues its steady growth trajectory.

Filament and 3D printed objects

Key Takeaway

The 3D printing landscape in mid-2026 is characterized by democratization and industrial adoption happening simultaneously. While Bambu Lab is dominating the consumer market with affordable, high-performance machines, aerospace giants like Pratt & Whitney are trusting additive manufacturing with mission-critical engine components. The introduction of full-color desktop printers and AI-powered error prevention is lowering the barrier to entry, while ceramic and hybrid manufacturing technologies are opening new industrial applications. With market growth exceeding $4.35 billion and major investments like Beehive’s $70M facility, 3D printing has firmly established itself as both a maker hobby and a serious manufacturing technology.

Images courtesy of Pexels