#35 AM World Map - help us unlock next features!
Pawel Slusarczyk
AM-Writer.com | 3D Printing Historian | Straight Edge Analyst | AM Industry Insider
Last Friday, together with Anna Slusarczyk , we presented our new project – AM World Map. Designed as a natural extension of our flagship publication, The 3D Printing World Guide, it holds much greater potential for growth. But to turn this into a truly amazing project, we need your help…
Let’s start from the beginning.
The 3D Printing World Guide was launched earlier this year in response to the need to promote and support smaller, regional companies in the AM sector. The publication is available in three formats:
The first edition was published on January 17 (just 45 days ago!) and covered the AM industry in Poland. Subsequent editions featured Canada, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, and France.
On one hand, our project has been incredibly successful – companies and individuals have responded enthusiastically, and the initiative has brought both great fun and valuable marketing benefits.
Unfortunately, throughout its execution, certain obvious – yet initially overlooked – flaws became apparent. Recruitment announcements for the World Guide were typically published on LinkedIn on Sundays, two weeks in advance. It turned out this wasn’t enough time…
Many companies only learned about our initiative the day before publication. In some cases, submissions reached us literally three hours before launch! We also received applications after the Guides had already been published.
We blame this on LinkedIn’s algorithm, which has changed again recently…
In case you didn’t know or hadn’t noticed, posts initially have a limited reach, which only starts increasing after a few days. The so-called “lifespan” of a post has been stretched over time, meaning that unless a post goes viral, it may only reach users up to two weeks after publication.
And for a post to go viral, you have to write about something other than 3D printing. (Or, alternatively, post a smiling selfie with some random caption – which, in this case, makes no sense.)
Another algorithm change now favors posts that receive comments from outside our network. Seriously. At this point, when our friends comment on our post, it doesn’t matter, but if a stranger does – we get a massive boost. The problem? If that stranger then connects with us, they become a “friend” and our reach drops again.
Sounds silly? Write at [email protected]…
So, this form of communication simply stopped making sense. Another issue is that in some countries, LinkedIn is much less popular, and for companies from those regions, promotion that doesn’t include Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok is simply not attractive.
This explains, for example, the lower exposure of companies from Latin American countries compared to the higher visibility of those from Germany or France.
That’s why the Hungarian edition, announced two weeks ago, has been postponed. We didn’t receive enough submissions (fewer than five).
So, we decided to change things and make them more appealing.
That’s how AM World Map was born.
As Anna and I wrote on LinkedIn and The 3D Printing Journal, the entire project was built in less than a week. It’s a proof of concept—an MVP.
But once we published it and started analyzing it, a flood of new ideas came to mind. We realized we could turn this into a truly valuable tool for companies in the AM industry.
Here’s just the first handful of ideas that came up before the weekend:
Over the weekend, even more specific ideas emerged—I’ll write about them below.
The best part is that the vast majority of these features are very easy for us to implement. However, they still require time and resources.
And this is where we need your help!
To implement new features, we need funding. And in today’s world, the safest way to finance a project is through bootstrapping.
So, here’s our idea: the more users we attract, the more features we will introduce. Nobody will pay anything more than what they have already paid!
Participation in our project, The 3D Printing World Guide, is paid – it costs €50 for a standard entry and €250 for the title of national sponsor.
Apply here: Let's connect!
At first, we considered offering just an online profile for €25 (and that was announced), but that would complicate the project’s development. For example, if someone pays for platform access, and later we want to include them in a catalog, they’d have to pay another €25, generating additional accounting documents, transactions, etc.
That would make sense if we were talking about hundreds or thousands of euros, but here… €25 is the equivalent of a big bucket of chicken at KFC with a refill. Or a family visit to McDonald’s… I mean, c’mon…
So we went back to €50 for both on-line profile and feature in World Guide catalogue.
If someone thinks €50 is too much for their marketing budget, then €25 will still be too much either. Realistically, for them, the only acceptable price is €0,00 (greetings to companies X and Y from Spain).
So, help us unlock new features!
Our first goal is to expand both functionality and aesthetics. The first two upgrades are just around the corner…
Right now, AM World Guide includes 70 companies. As we acquire more, we will implement additional features:
+30 (100 overall) – A much more advanced world and regional map. We will add different colors to show the density of registered companies in each country, introduce markers indicating the number of firms per region, implement an additional search engine for easier navigation, and launch a live filter menu to show/hide different markers from various maps. Ultimately, we will start building heatmaps with layered views displaying more sophisticated data.
+80 (150 overall) – A press center where every company can publish its press releases, which we will distribute to AM media outlets on their behalf. We can also assist with writing or editing these releases—but this is a consultation service for existing texts, not copywriting. However, we can offer copywriting separately if needed.
+130 (200 overall) – A directory of key individuals in registered companies. Of course, this will be based on voluntary submissions—but it won’t cost extra. Every company in the database will be able to submit profiles of their executives, GMs, and managers, which will be structured similarly to company profiles.
+230 (300 overall) – A Chrome and Edge plugin. When a user highlights a company name in any article on any platform and activates the plugin, a brief summary will appear as an overlay. Clicking “More” will redirect them to the company’s profile in AM World Map.
Next features will be determined after reaching above milestones (e.g., a rating and verification system).
Oh, and of course we will continue publishing The 3D Printing World Guides in PDF and HTML formats—just after completing a full lineup for each country. Over time, as our database grows, we will publish regional reports categorized by continent (e.g., 3D Printer Manufacturers from Latin America or AM Service Providers from Central Europe).
So, how can you help?
Let’s create something truly amazing together! ??
So much for the introduction. And now, without further ado...
Just look how great the French edition of World Guide turned out!
11 companies took part in it, and the main sponsor of the edition was Prodways. If anyone is interested, feel free to get in touch and submit applications!
#7. Trial date has been set for Desktop Metal’s litigation against Nano Dimension
A trial date has been set for March 11-12, 2025, in the Delaware Court of Chancery for Desktop Metal’s litigation against Nano Dimension over alleged breaches of their merger agreement. As you probably remeber, Desktop Metal filed the lawsuit in December 2024, claiming Nano Dimension failed to use "reasonable best efforts" to secure regulatory approval for its proposed acquisition of Desktop Metal. So in next three weeks the parties will meet to discuss the allegations before the court. You should also remeber, that late 2024, there was a heavy shift in Nano’s management.
READ MORE: www.tctmagazine.com
#6. UltiMaker launched the $500,000 MakerBot Gives Back Initiative
UltiMaker launched the $500,000 MakerBot Gives Back Initiative to expand STEM education access for students, especially in underserved communities. The program provides 3D printers, training, and classroom resources. Through grants, partnerships, and scholarships, UltiMaker aims to equip educators with tools to integrate 3D printing into curricula, fostering innovation and design thinking.
READ MORE: www.3printr.com
#5. Materialise publishes report for Q4 causing -35% stock drop
Materialise published financial report for Q4 and overall 2024. Despite a 0.6% Q4 revenue increase to €65.68M, its Manufacturing segment declined by 13.3%. Adjusted EBITDA fell nearly 50%, and EBIT turned negative. While net income improved, rising costs strained profitability. Investors reacted sharply, with the stock dropping 35%. The company struggles with competition from China in AM services and pricing pressure in software. Despite its strong reputation, Materialise faces uncertain times, with no quick recovery in sight. The AM industry’s toughest player is no longer immune to the sector’s ongoing turbulence.
READ MORE: www.3dprintingjournal.com
#4. Xometry reported a record revenue of $545 million for 2024
Xometry reported a record revenue of $545 million for 2024, reflecting an +18% year-over-year increase, driven by strong marketplace growth (+23%). The company saw a +16% revenue boost in Q4, reaching $149 million. However, despite these gains, Xometry faced a net loss of $50.4 million for the year, although it marked a $17.1 million improvement from 2023. The company's adjusted EBITDA improved by $3.9 million, achieving a profit of $1.0 million.
READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com
#3. HBD has inaugurated a new advanced manufacturing facility
HBD Additive Manufacturing has inaugurated a new advanced manufacturing facility in Guangdong, China, funded by a $60 million Series A investment. This site enhances metal 3D printing capabilities, supporting industries like aerospace and healthcare. With a focus on digitalization and sustainability, HBD aims to drive smart industry transformation and global additive manufacturing innovation.
READ MORE: www.voxelmatters.com
#2. 3Dnatives has announced the departure of its CEO and founder, Alexandre Martel
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The announcement comes nearly two years after 3Dnatives was acquired by the Society of Plastics Engineering (SPE), which has now appointed Filippos Voulpiotis , who was Chief Business Officer since 2018, as the new CEO.
READ MORE: www.3dnatives.com
#1. Intrepid Automation has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against 3D Systems
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The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, accuses 3D Systems of corporate espionage, alleging a former employee stole trade secrets during a job interview at Intrepid. Intrepid seeks a jury trial, damages, and a ban on PSLA 270 sales, while 3D Systems has moved to dismiss the case, calling the claims “meritless” and accusing Intrepid of stealing its trade secrets.
READ MORE: www.3dprintingindustry.com
Summary of the most important events in the history of the 3D printing industry published last week:
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