3D printing has proven to be a powerful ally for the automotive industry, constantly bringing innovation in a field where things have been moving in new and interesting directions. Additive manufacturing has been capable of creating whole, carbon fiber cars like the Blade supercar as well as end-product components and full parts like the Volkswagen cylinder block. Its ability to recreate and customize shapes to fulfill different needs for function and aesthetics has been the key factor of the technology’s growth

3D printing and design go hand in hand, more than one time showing incredible geometries and forms as a result of the augmented design liberty.The newest proponent is a collaboration between Studio INTEGRATE and Morgan Studio to design and manufacture a series of table and chairs named RIO, empowered by 3D printing to create mathematically generated shapes to obtain unique elements each time. The final pieces are a unique merge of traditional furniture craft and advanced manufacturing.

The 3D printed gun “problem” is a seemingly unending social preoccupation which has plagued the additive manufacturing community since its conception. While it is true that 3D printed weaponry pose problems in certain cases (such as war manufacturing using stolen designs by the enemy), the technology is still very finicky, unfit for production and, more importantly, still falling under current “normal” gun restrictions.

Polad has made a name for itself as a leading nation in 3D printing companies making a mark in the industry, Zortrax and many others promising startups. Recently, polish company SatRevolution revealed plans to launch the nation’s first service for private and commercial nanosatellites called Światowid, powered by 3D printing.