What will industrial 3D printing look like in 2035?

3D printing technology continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in manufacturing, healthcare and aerospace. To ensure that the Czech Republic is part of this revolution, another Vision Workshop was held at the Technical University of Liberec on 18 March 2025 as part of the National Centre of Competence for Industrial 3D Printing project. Partners from Trask, Prusa Research and the HiLASE Centre and the Institute of Physics of the CAS actively participated. Together we are pushing the boundaries of technological innovation - into space.

The aim of the workshop was to jointly define strategic and research topics that will be key for the field of additive technologies and polymer materials in 3D printing in the next decade. The discussion focused on five key areas defined in the preparation of the NCK P3DT strategic agenda:

1. Cybersecurity for industrial 3D printing
2. Sustainable materials and eco-innovation
3. End-to-end processes for more efficient production
4. 3D printing in Space and its use beyond Earth
5. Legislative challenges and regulation

Joint discussion as the key to innovation

During the workshop there were intensive discussions between experts from academia and industry partners. The result is a set of specific research directions that will now be put to an electronic vote by the wider expert community.

"Our goal is not only to determine the direction of development for the coming years, but also to connect academia with industry so that the results of research have a real impact on technological innovation and the competitiveness of Czech companies," said Jan Kočí, manager of the Centre for Industrial Printing at CXI TUL.

What happens next?

The outputs from the workshop will now be reviewed by the expert community and the results of the electronic voting will determine the priority areas of research and development that will be further developed into a strategic 3D printing agenda. This strategic agenda will then be used by the TA CR, individual ministries and the Czech Government as a supporting material for setting further direction in terms of national priorities, funding or support for specific areas for the coming years.

We thank all participants for their time, stimulating ideas and active involvement in creating the future of industrial 3D printing. Together we are shaping innovations that have a real impact!

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