#30 The short reign of 3D Printing Kings

Last week, three things happened that filled me with nostalgia and made me reflect on the sad fate of desktop-grade 3D printer manufacturers. First, I’ll list them, and then I’ll discuss each one.

The first was the 11th anniversary of the infamous sale of 5,000 Zortrax M200 3D printers to Dell—a highly publicized deal that never actually happened. The second was a historical post about the launch of the Ultimaker S7, which took place two years ago. And the third was an interview I conducted with Jonathan Jaglom , CEO of flō Optics , who served as CEO of MakerBot from 2015 to 2017.

Dell 5000… Oh boy, where to begin…

To recap, in January 2014, Zortrax—a then little-known Polish startup producing FFF desktop 3D printers—announced that it would deliver 5,000 3D printers to Dell’s Asian division.

This was an unprecedented event on a global scale. Not only was it the largest single sale of 3D printers at the time, but the fact that the buyer was Dell made it an even bigger sensation.

Back then, the mere fact that a major company showed interest in 3D printing was huge news. And here we were—Dell, the tech giant, buying 5,000 3D printers. And from Poland, no less!

Guess who was the first to report this story? Who started it all?

Yes, it was me…

Years later, this story turned out to be false. It was first exposed by the wonderful Michael Molitch-Hou on 3DPrint.com . Shortly after, the equally great John Biggs —a longtime editor at TechCrunch and Gizmodo—revealed shocking screenshots of conversations with Zortrax’s then-CEO, Rafa? Tomasiak, showing the behind-the-scenes of this hoax.

My friends, I became the author of the biggest fake news in the history of the AM industry. Of course, I didn’t know it at the time. I simply reported what Rafa? Tomasiak told me back then.

It was January 21, 2014.

I remember it all perfectly—my visit to Zortrax’s headquarters, the nearly three-hour meeting, the discussions about the company and its products, and the specific moment when Rafa? gave me the green light to publish. Because he had first mentioned the contract to me a month earlier…

This event shaped my career in the AM industry. Although I had encountered situations before where someone in the 3D printing space tried to mislead me for their own benefit, I usually didn’t fall for it.

But this time, I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. Not only did I get caught, but even while lying on the shore in the net, I still thought I was swimming.

But that was the last time. The Dell 5000, the Cube 3 from 3D Systems, and the MakerBot 5th Gen were the last 3D printing lies I ever believed. So if you’re wondering where my writing style comes from, it’s from there. From January 21, 2014.

As you might expect, I was preparing a big publication for this occasion. I planned to describe everything in detail—to show archival photos I had never shared before. I wanted to give the story full context.

But I didn’t do it… I mixed up the dates…

I don’t know how, but my brain cached the memory that it happened on January 24. And when I sat down to write about it, I realized… I messed up. I forgot about it. Me! I forgot the date!

Still, I wanted to do it—to write what I had planned and organized in my head. But during a conversation with my wife, who was also a participant in those events, I realized… I’m probably the last person in the world who even cares about this.

And look—I didn’t write anything about it, and no one said anything either. I wonder how many people reading these words even knew or remembered it…?

No one cares anymore. No one cares about Zortrax. And even I forgot the date... Let’s move on…

So, it was January 24, and I had to post something historical. Fortunately, there was no shortage of material. I chose the launch of the Ultimaker S7, which took place in 2023.

It seemed like a no-brainer. UltiMaker is not only one of the biggest brands in the world, but this 3D printer had literally just been released. Surely, many people are using it. Surely, this post would generate a lot of interest!

Guys, I don’t remember the last time one of my historical posts reached such a low number of people. To this day, it hasn’t even hit 700 impressions, with an average of over 2,000. Hardly anyone cared. No sentiment, no engagement. Just—“who cares”…

Ultimaker used to be beautiful. And today? Honestly, even the brand itself and its employees just shrugged…

And finally, the interview with Jonathan, which I hope to publish very soon. It’s going to be a bombshell. Tons of fantastic stories from the old days and an excellent insight into what MakerBot looked like from the inside. The behind-the-scenes of cleaning up after the original management. The behind-the-scenes of the creation of the MakerBot Method. The roots of later failures, which weren’t as obvious as we thought.

This interview will definitely interest a lot of people. But while editing the video and listening to Jonathan’s stories multiple times, I was overcome by a certain sadness that such a distinguished brand has now been reduced to just a sub-brand of UltiMaker. The same UltiMaker that hardly anyone on LinkedIn seems to care about…

And this brings us to the main theme of today’s newsletter.

How short is the fame and glory of the kings of desktop 3D printing. MakerBot, Zortrax, Ultimaker. But also a whole host of others: XYZPrinting, Raise3D, Solidoodle, M3D (Micro), FelixPrinters, Leapfrog, Printrbot, Robo 3D, LulzBot, Tiertime / PP3DP (Up! Printers). This list is much longer… Some of these companies are still operating in the market (though their position is much lower than before), while others have already disappeared for good.

Once, they were all the talk of the industry. The 3D printing world marveled at their products and eagerly read news about them. Today, they are part of a history that few want to revisit.

Three to five years—that’s how long the career of a “3D printing king” lasts.

That’s roughly the same as the career of a professional in the NFL (~3 years), NBA (~4.5 years), or NHL (~5 years).

Of course, there are glorious exceptions. Formlabs has been at the top since 2013. Flashforge 3D Printer? , Creality 3D , and ANYCUBIC have been there since 2016. Prusa Research is a specific and debatable case—theoretically, it has also been at the top since 2016, but after its great peak in 2020-2022, it has lost a lot of its position to Bambu Lab. Still, it remains a well-known and respected brand.

The question of Bambu Lab remains open. Until now, it seemed like it had a chance to become the undisputed leader of the desktop industry for years to come, but the firmware-gate has made its position less certain in the context of the coming years…

Yes, AM is a very tough and demanding industry. To stay at the top for a decade, you have to be truly exceptional. That’s why so few succeed…

So much for the introduction. And now, without further ado...

Over 2000 Subscribers!

Last week, the 3DP War Journal newsletter surpassed the magical number of 2,000 subscribers. Thank you all so, so much! It took just over 6 months and 29 editions. Thanks to you, my newsletter has become one of the key voices in the global AM industry, always generating a lot of opinions and comments.

I truly appreciate this and promise to continue delivering content at the same or even higher level!

And since we’re on the topic, I’d like to inform you that there will only be more new and exciting content coming your way.

1. The 3D Printing World Guide has been a huge success. This week, the German edition will be released, followed by the Spanish edition next week. We’re already collecting submissions for the Brazilian edition!
2. Once we gather enough companies (I think after the Spanish edition), we’ll start profiling and promoting the companies that participated in our project. Publications will be daily, so we still need a bit more content.
3. This week, the first video interview under the moniker The 3D Printing Journal will be released. The guest will be the great Jonathan Jaglom—a longtime manager at Objet, Stratasys, CEO of MakerBot, and current CEO of flō Optics. It’s going to be awesome!
4. Very soon, something resembling… let’s say, a book, will be released. For free! I’m in the final stages of finishing it.
5. This week, we’ll also be testing a new video format. If something interesting comes out of it and it’s not embarrassing, I think it could be another great thing.

But right now we’re calling on all Spaniards and Brazilians to send in applications for the edition to be published in early February. We have two weeks left, and there are still a few spots open.

You can submit your applications here.

Thank you all for your support, and stay tuned for more! ??

#7. Dyndrite announced the 2025 "You Control the Laser" World Tour workshops

Dyndrite 's 2025 "You Control the Laser" World Tour will bring hands-on workshops to key cities worldwide, showcasing its transformative LPBF software for additive manufacturing. Partnering with OEMs like EOS and Nikon SLM, Dyndrite will educate professionals in industries such as aerospace and energy. Attendees will learn advanced workflows, enhance productivity, and create high-quality metal prints. The tour highlights Dyndrite's collaborations, including breakthroughs with Elementum3D and Renishaw, driving innovation in 3D printing.

READ MORE: www.dyndrite.com

#6. OrthoSolutions has acquired Meshworks, a UK leader in 3D-printed custom orthopedic implants

OrthoSolutions UK Ltd , a manufacturer of foot and ankle medical devices, signed an agreement to acquire Meshworks, which was formerly part of the Alloyed group. Meshworks, originating from Oxford and Imperial College London, specializes in custom orthopedic implants, employing a team of experts in design, additive manufacturing, software, and metallurgy.

READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com

#5. Formlabs qualifies Fabulous' PA11 DETECT powder for use on Fuse1+ 3D printer

FABulous Project ' PA11 DETECT powder has been qualified for use on Formlabs’ Fuse1+ 3D printer. The FDA-approved, biosourced material meets EU food contact standards, making it suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications. This milestone, achieved after three years of collaboration, marks Fabulous as a leading third-party material supplier for Formlabs’ open SLS platform.

READ MORE: www.tctmagazine.com

#4. Elagoo released Saturn 4 Ultra 16k

ELEGOO has unveiled the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K 3D printer, featuring a 211.68 x 118.37 x 220 mm build volume, tilt release technology, heated vat, Wi-Fi, auto leveling, and advanced error detection. With 14 x 19 μm resolution, a new touchscreen UI, and AI camera, it offers high-quality printing and user-friendly features.

READ MORE: www.fabbaloo.com

#3. VOXELTEK to introduce end-to-end dental 3D printing solution at IDS

VOXELTEK , established in Hungary in 2013, unveiled a groundbreaking end-to-end dental 3D printing solution at IDS 2025 in Cologne. Their integrated system features the VOXEL.IOS intraoral scanner for precise scans, the MARK IV 3D printer for rapid, high-quality production, and the VOXELTEK.live platform for simplified design processes.

This setup allows dentists to complete treatments from initial scans to final fitting in under 60 minutes, significantly reducing the need for multiple appointments. By streamlining workflows, VOXELTEK's solutions enhance patient satisfaction with faster, more accurate treatments, setting new standards in dental care efficiency and precision.

READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com

#2. Batch.Works partnered E3D

Batch.Works and E3D have partnered to advance sustainable additive manufacturing in the UK, supported by Innovate UK’s Smart Grant. Their project integrates Batch.Works’ AI-enabled printer with E3D components, reducing assembly time by 70%, components by 70%, and carbon emissions by 85%. The collaboration aims to establish the UK’s largest distributed smart factory network.

READ MORE: www.tctmagazine.com

#1. 3D Systems and Daimler Buses Team announced collaboration in manufacturing spare parts

3D Systems Corporation has teamed up with Daimler Truck and Buses in the field of decentralized spare parts manufacturing using 3D printing technology.

Joining this project as partners are Oqton on and WIBU-SYSTEMS AG .

The solution enables decentralized production, allowing spare parts to be printed on demand closer to where they’re needed. The goal is to reduce repair times, minimize downtime, and improve supply chain efficiency for buses, trucks, and coaches.

Each partner contributes a unique piece to the puzzle:

• Oqton provides the 3DXpert software, simplifying the 3D printing workflow.
• Wibu-Systems ensures the protection of Daimler Buses’ intellectual property by securing access to design files.
• 3D Systems supplies the SLS 380 3D printer (with plans to expand the system to include metal printers in the future).

The system has been made available to certified service providers through the Omniplus 3D Printing License eShop, enabling localized production of parts. The platform allows users to purchase licenses for digital part files, which can then be printed in the required quantities while maintaining full design protection through Wibu-Systems’ digital rights management tools.

READ MORE: www.3dprintingjournal.com

Summary of the most important events in the history of the 3D printing industry published last week:

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