London, UK –3D Printing Industry (3DPI), a trade news publication for the additive manufacturing sector, is proud to announce the commencement of the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards, an annual event that recognizes outstanding achievements in additive manufacturing. Since its inception in 2016, these awards have highlighted the individuals, innovations, and enterprises that propel the 3D printing sector forward.

Voting Now Open

The voting phase for the 2024 awards is currently underway, inviting professionals and enthusiasts to submit their choices across various categories. This inclusive approach ensures that the awards reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the industry. Voting is open until December 13, 2024.

Expert Committee Participation

In addition to public nominations, the awards incorporate insights from an Expert Committee comprising seasoned professionals with nearly 2,000 years of combined experience in additive manufacturing. This committee collaborates with the public to curate shortlists and select winners, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process.

Michael Petch, Editor-in-chief of 3D Printing Industry, said, “The 3DPI Awards are the largest annual survey of the state of the 3D printing industry. Leading indicators, such as the number of start-ups and nominations received in related categories, such as innovation, exceeded previous years, an encouraging yard-stick to judge the industry's health.”

Highlights from the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards Shortlists

The shortlists include applications using metal additive manufacturing (AM), such as SpaceX’s Raptor 3 engine and 6K, which tackle the question of circularity and supply chain resilience for critical metals. AM’s application for hypersonic flight and NASA’s rotating detonation engine are highlighted. 

The 3DPI Awards celebrates individuals who foster communities and advance the industry, for example, Kimberly Gibson of America Makes, promoting public-private collaboration to strengthen the additive manufacturing ecosystem. Or, Teula Bradshaw of the Sanjay Mortimer Foundation who supports educational access to 3D printing resources, empowering neurodiverse future engineers and makers.

Innovations of the year include Xolo Volumetric Printing, which uses a groundbreaking printing method that constructs entire objects simultaneously, enhancing print speed and enabling complex, uniform structures. Start-up nominee 3D Architech Inc is pioneering a gel-based metal 3D printing process that enables micron-level precision, cost-effective production, and advanced cooling designs, impacting applications from heat sinks to clean energy.

Medical application of the year nominees included a groundbreaking step in tissue engineering, showcasing potential for future bioprinted organs and advancing regenerative medicine with Frontier Bio’s Lab Grown Lung Tissue. Also, Lithoz & Profactor INKplant Ceramic Jaw Implant, the world's first 3D printed ceramic jaw implant, combines biocompatibility and precision for transformative reconstructive facial surgeries.

Visit the voting page for a full description of the nominees. 

“The winners will receive not only the acclaim of the industry, but a unique 3D printing trophy made from metal and polymers by our manufacturing partners Desktop Metal and 3DPRINTUK. The winning design is selected from a competition hosted by Printables by Prusa Research and featuring their community of highly talented designers,” said Michael Petch.

The winning designer of the trophy competition will receive a Prusa Research 3D printer.

Award Categories

The 2024 awards feature a broad spectrum of categories, including:

• 3D Designer of the Year
• 3D Scanning or Metrology Company
• Academic/Research Team
• Aerospace, Space, or Defense Application
• Community Advocate
• Company of the Year (Enterprise)
• Company of the Year (Personal)
• Desktop FFF 3D Printer of the Year
• Desktop non-FFF 3D Printer of the Year
• Enterprise 3D Printer of the Year (Metals)
• Enterprise 3D Printer of the Year (Polymers)
• Innovation of the Year
• Material Company of the Year
• Medical, Dental, or Healthcare Application
• Mobility or Energy Application
• Software Tool or Company
• Start-up of the Year
• Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing
• Value-added Reseller of the Year

These categories are designed to encompass the full spectrum of the 3D printing ecosystem, from hardware and software to materials and applications.

3D Printing Industry: https://3dprintingindustry.com/

2024 3D Printing Industry Awards Voting Page: 

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/3d-printing-industry-awards-2024-vote-now-234043/

Trophy Design Competition: 

https://www.printables.com/contest/457-2024-3d-printing-industry-awards-trophy-design-competition