As Formnext, generally considered to be the additive manufacturing (AM) event on the sector’s calendar, closed its doors after celebrating its 10th anniversary last week, the Wayland Additive team that was in attendance and manning our stand headed home. At least most of them did, a couple had to travel directly to London for an awards event (more of that later).
According to the organisers of Formnext, this year’s event broke all previous records in visitor numbers, citing the very precise number of 38,282 people through the doors. As we understand it, this marks a significant increase (8%) in attendance over previous years, and goes some way to explaining the busy, but uncarpeted(!), aisles. Mixed feelings were shared on the lack of carpet, some celebrating the sustainability argument for not doing it, others bemoaning the look and feel of “messy, unfinished” halls. What was not in dispute, however, was that Formnext 2025 did confirming the AM sector's continued growth: in terms of hardware, software, materials, applications and, perhaps most encouraging of all, opportunities.
Wayland returned to Formnext for the fifth time, positioned in the same place but with a new stand design. It certainly fulfilled its mission, drawing plenty of attention and lots of compliments.
Along with the Calibur3 system that remained a primary feature on the stand, we also demonstrated our largest ever selection of parts, for targeted vertical industries that are benefitting from the wider range of materials that Calibur3 can process. This of course included the much-publicised RAF part, which got even more attention in person, together with two heat exchangers, specific and complex tooling inserts, drill bits, a vector stabiliser, a hydraulic manifold and an impeller.
General feedback from visitors to the stand indicated interest and respect for the high quality of the parts, including the bigger parts that we are good at. This definitely led to more in-depth conversations and new opportunities opening up across the days of the event. Indeed, Formnext 2025 has resulted in us taking more high-quality leads than any other singular event in our history. Of course, that means the hard work starts now ….. but don’t worry, we’ll keep you posted.
Our Head of Technology & Innovation, Martyn Hussey, was kept busy during the show. His presentation highlighting how to unleash the power of eBeam metal AM with NeuBeam and Calibur3 was well-received and brought people to the stand for deeper understanding, including Xuesong Pan, who collared Martyn for an interview for his podcast.
Meanwhile, our CEO Will Richardson took part in a panel session dedicated to the Electron Beam Consortium (EBC) and hosted by John Barnes of The Barnes Global Advisors. The panel session was designed to allow founding members of the EBC to inform the audience about the formation of the consortium and how eBeam technologies differ from laser-based systems and the advantages this can bring to new metal AM applications. It drew interest to say the least, as it should. eBeam systems do not have all the answers to every AM question, but they can certainly deliver solutions (especially with new materials) that laser-based systems struggle with. It would be remiss not to at least mention a comment during the session, that was highlighting one of the issues with eBeam AM, namely “getting rid of the sinter cake, well, except for Wayland!”
This has always been one of the major issues with eBeam AM for users, specifically the amount of post processing involved in removing the sinter cake post build that can negate the advantages that AM brings to a given application. It is also a true USP of NeuBeam, with its Active Charge Neutralisation technology, that we have solved this problem and parts off Calibur3 are easily removed from free-flowing powder. A USP that the market recognises.
And so, the week in Frankfurt came to a close. Two of the team had to duck out early and hop on a flight to London to attend the IET Churchill Medal 2025 award ceremony in support of the 71(IR) Squadron of the RAF who were one of the six finalists. It was a fantastic evening by all accounts, and we’re loving the tuxedos!
Wayland Additive's CEO, Will Richardson (left) and CRO, Peter Hansford (right).