3D Systems Invests in Onshore Large-Frame Metal Printing Center

3D Systems on January 5 outlined a multi-pronged plan to scale its aerospace and defense operations, reporting that the A&D segment grew more than 15 percent in 2025 and forecasting greater than 20 percent growth in 2026. The announcement couples near-term financial performance with longer-term capital and capability commitments aimed at serving large-format metal printing needs for defense and aerospace customers.

Key operational moves include an expansion of the Littleton, Colorado A&D Application Center of Excellence to roughly 80,000 square feet. The company also reported continued progress on an Air Force-sponsored program focused on advancing laser powder-bed fusion for large-format metal parts, saying the program remains on track. Looking ahead, 3D Systems said it will deliver an onshore, end-to-end metal additive manufacturing ecosystem capable of large-frame metal printing with print areas greater than 1 m by 2027.

For the 3D printing community, those details matter because they signal a growing market for large-format metal systems and related services. An expanded application center in Littleton offers a local hub for trialing machines, qualifying processes, and ramping up aftermarket and qualification work that defense contracts typically require. The company’s timeline for a domestic ecosystem also aligns with recent provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act that restrict certain foreign-sourced systems, a development 3D Systems described as a supportive tailwind for U.S. providers.

Practical implications include increased demand for qualified metal powders, calibration and post-processing workflows, build and inspection services, and workforce training focused on large-frame systems. Suppliers and service providers can expect more opportunities to participate in metal AM supply chains that emphasize onshore control and qualification. For regional stakeholders in Colorado, the expansion may translate into facility hiring and partnerships with local manufacturers and labs.

The announcement links fiscal momentum to strategic positioning: near-term growth in A&D supports the investments needed to meet defense timelines, while the company’s 2027 target sets a clear deadline for delivering integrated hardware, materials, and post-processing solutions for parts larger than 1 m. As domestic procurement preferences evolve, expect greater emphasis on qualification, repeatability, and supply chain traceability across the metal AM ecosystem.