Within the first a part of this sequence, we spoke with Xometry’s Senior Vice President of Market Operations, Mike Cavalieri, about how producers are reshoring, diversifying their suppliers, and constructing extra resilient provide chains. Now, in Half Two, we return to our dialog with Cavalieri to discover how additive manufacturing (AM) is turning into one of many methods firms reply to these pressures, not simply in prototyping, however all through their growth cycles, and what nonetheless limits its wider adoption.
As designs mature, some prospects hold elements in AM for area of interest, advanced, or light-weight elements. Others use it to check their designs earlier than transferring to conventional strategies. Sometimes, Cavalieri says they see prospects transition from AM to injection molding as soon as the design is stabilized they usually need the lowest-cost resolution. However AM is what lets them get there quicker; they will check, iterate, and be taught with out ready weeks for tooling.
This helps clarify why Xometry sees rising demand throughout the whole AM spectrum, from aerospace and protection to client merchandise and, increasingly, with the booming drone sector.
“We see vital uplift in drone purposes. The know-how is cheaper, the software program is healthier, and the use circumstances (from medical provide supply to protection) are increasing quick.”
That spectrum is extremely broad. On the excessive finish, Xometry is supporting elements for house exploration and superior protection programs. On the on a regular basis aspect, it is likely to be a easy client product or perhaps a residence gadget, like a window field for metropolis gardening. What connects these tasks isn’t the business, however the want for quicker growth and fewer publicity to supply-chain danger, he explains.
So what’s nonetheless holding 3D printing again?
Regardless of its momentum, AM nonetheless struggles with one main barrier: confidence.
“Materials traceability and certification are the largest hurdles. Clients need to understand how layers are bonded, find out how to show the fabric matches the design, and find out how to qualify it for zero-tolerance purposes.”
For sectors like aerospace and automotive, the place a single failure is unacceptable, this stays a deal-breaker. In truth, a few of Xometry’s prospects try to shut that hole themselves.
“We see extra prospects embarking on their very own analysis to get assured with additive materials construction. They’re printing and testing materials coupons (small pattern items used to confirm properties) and dealing with OEMs to raised perceive how these elements behave in real-world situations. The core advantages, like decrease weight, much less materials waste, and the flexibility to print geometries which are unimaginable with CNC or molding, are just too useful to disregard.”
“Any time you’re enthusiastic about lowest value, much less materials utilization, and lighter elements, additive has unimaginable benefits,” he added. “The query now could be how shortly certification and requirements can catch up so extra of these elements can transfer into actually important purposes.”
Cavalieri in contrast it to CNC machining, noting that with this, customers can order billet aluminum, get their certification from the mill, and know precisely what properties to anticipate. However AM doesn’t have that very same consolation degree. This hole has slowed using AM for end-use manufacturing, whilst advances in course of monitoring and materials science proceed.
Xometry’s Gaithersburg, Maryland website. Picture courtesy of Xometry.
AI is accelerating AM adoption
One space the place AM has a pure head begin is digital quotability. As a result of each half begins as a 3D file, AI-powered quoting and matching are significantly correct, Cavalieri acknowledged.
“Our AI can analyze the 3D mannequin, calculate the toolpath, estimate the fabric, and immediately generate the associated fee. That velocity is a significant purpose prospects transfer shortly in additive. This additionally permits firms to scale prototyping far past what an inner print lab can deal with. In order for you a bigger pattern measurement for early manufacturing or testing, Xometry can quickly spool that up.”
AI additionally helps prospects determine when AM is the fitting reply and when it isn’t. And since all the things begins from a 3D mannequin, Xometry’s quote engine can very transparently calculate what it’ll take to print a component and examine that with CNC or molding. Which means engineers don’t must guess. They will see when AM is the quickest path, when it’s the most cost effective, and when it is sensible to modify applied sciences. This mixture of AI-powered quoting and powerful AM capability is why Cavalieri sees the tech as an enduring a part of manufacturing, not a short-term development.
{The marketplace} technique
Cavalieri saved coming again to how Xometry sees its position: a clear market that provides prospects extra selections and offers suppliers a gentle stream of labor.
“We’re not uncovered to any single geography. If a disruption occurs, we are able to shortly discover one other location to fabricate. This issues simply as a lot for small AM outlets because it does for giant machine homes. Companions come to us as a result of they know we’re a dependable supply of demand. They will hold their outlets working at full capability utilizing our platform.”
Internally, Xometry is increasing quickly as nicely; the corporate now has 1,500 staff.
Xometry’s Gaithersburg, Maryland website. Picture courtesy of Xometry.
When reflecting on Xometry’s day-to-day work with prospects, Cavalieri highlighted two issues. First, the number of additive purposes that firms convey to the platform continues to broaden. Second, prospects proceed to face sturdy value pressures, and Xometry is working carefully with its manufacturing companions to push prices down whereas serving to prospects exceed expectations.
Even with that strain, the momentum is simple. AM is not a distinct segment know-how; it’s turning into an ordinary a part of the manufacturing toolbox, particularly for firms on the lookout for resilience, velocity, and design freedom.
Cavalieri stated Xometry plans to proceed increasing its know-how portfolio, all the things from extra CNC capabilities to new AM processes, all aimed toward lowering value and lead time and centered on the model’s “mission to broaden the menu of merchandise it brings to prospects, proving to be cheaper and quicker than anybody else.”
The corporate’s 2026 Manufacturing Outlook Report presents an in depth view of the forces shaping the approaching yr, and Xometry expects to share extra additive-specific knowledge because it turns into accessible.
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