Global AM machine revenues rise 31% driven by metal and entry-level demand
Context, a provider of market intelligence and analytics for the global technology industry, has shared that total Additive Manufacturing machine revenues rose 31% year-on-year (YoY) in the second quarter of 2026. Three of the four price classes saw higher unit shipment volumes in Q2 2026 than in the same period last year.
The Entry-level segment now represents the largest market share by value, accounting for 49% of all hardware revenues over the trailing twelve months (TTM), while the Industrial class accounted for 41%. Strong revenue growth occurred in both categories, with Industrial revenues rising +40% YoY in Q2 and Entry-level revenues climbing +36% YoY. TTM revenue growth reached +23% for Industrial and +33% for Entry-level systems.
“There have been many catalysts for growth for 3D printing in the past, from specialized athletic shoes to pandemic supply-chain disruptions, but nothing quite compares to the current demand seen for the production of rockets, data center infrastructure, mobile consumer electronics devices and drones from across the globe presently,” said Chris Connery, VP of Global Analysis at CONTEXT. “While Industrial 3D printing used to be defined by its use to produce hearing aids and clear dental aligners, in 2026, if you are manufacturing a drone, a rocket, or an advanced mobile phone, you are using 3D printing as an essential part of your manufacturing process.”
Industrial machines: metals propelled by Defence, Aerospace, and 3C
Unit shipments in the Industrial price class (>$100K) grew +25% YoY in Q2 2026, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of YoY growth. Global Industrial system revenues surged +40% YoY, propelled by robust demand across key global end-markets.
While China led total global Industrial shipments over the TTM with a 37% volume share (compared to 29% for North America and 21% for Western Europe), quarterly shipments into North America and China were nearly on par. Both key regions experienced sharp growth: North American Industrial shipments rose +44% YoY, while Chinese shipments grew +42% YoY. Regional supply dynamics remain distinctly localised for Industrial 3D Printer shipments, with Chinese vendors fulfilling domestic demand and Western OEMs supplying US and European customers.
Metal AM machines dominated the Industrial price class, accounting for 53% of unit shipments and 75% of total Industrial hardware revenue in Q2. Overall metal AM machine shipments grew +36% YoY, while sector revenues jumped +51%. Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) remained the dominant technology, capturing 77% of metal unit shipments and 83% of segment revenues.
Aerospace and Defence (A&D) served as the primary growth catalyst, particularly for Western OEMs. EOS achieved high double-digit revenue growth, supported by major A&D orders, including 30 metal PBF machines for drone manufacturer Beehive Industries. Nikon SLM Solutions also secured orders from Beehive for its ultra-large NXG 600E systems. Renishaw doubled its metal PBF shipments year-on-year, while US-based Arc Impact (owner of Desktop Metal) reported strong domestic defence demand. Farsoon and BLT experienced strong first-half growth driven by the 3C (Computer, Communication, and Consumer Electronics) sector, where demand for titanium foldable phone hinges and smartphone frames surged.
Midrange and professional machines: share shifts and new modalities
The middle price bands continue to face pressure from Entry-level machines cannibalising traditional Material Extrusion (FDM/FFF) demand. However, technological shifts and industry consolidation are reshaping these segments.
Midrange ($20K–$100K)
Global unit shipments rebounded +8% YoY in Q2 2026, while segment revenues rose +3%. The category is experiencing a structural pivot toward Polymer Powder Bed Fusion (SLS), which saw shipments jump +38% YoY. Further momentum is expected as Raise3D and others continue their rollouts alongside upcoming launches including Formlabs Fuse X1 and HP Jet Fusion 1200.
Professional ($2.5K–$20K)
Unit shipments contracted -13% YoY and revenues declined -24%, impacted by ongoing weakness in legacy FDM systems. Despite headline declines, product innovation remains active. Shipments of Composite Material Extrusion systems commenced following FibreSeek’s Kickstarter fulfilment, while Stratasys’ pending acquisition of Markforged is set to further consolidate the composite sector. Additionally, lower-priced full-colour Material Jetting platforms from vendors such as Flashforge (CJ270) and HeyGears (G1X) are expected to revitalise activity in upcoming quarters.
Entry-level machines: record exports and market expansion
Shipments of Entry-level AM machines (≤$2,500) maintained strong momentum, with global unit shipments up +23% YoY and revenues climbing +36% YoY in Q2. China accounted for nearly 95% of all global Entry-level machine shipments over the TTM, serving as the central hub for technical innovations such as AI integration, multi-colour AM, and automated purge-tower management.
The “Four Little Dragons of Shenzhen” (Bambu Lab, Creality, Elegoo, and Anycubic) combined for 87% of global Entry-level unit shipments in Q2 2026. While Bambu Lab registered nice growth and far-and-away maintained its leading market share, other brands saw strength in the quarter as well: Flashforge shipments jumped 70%+ YoY, and Snapmaker shipments surged nearly +3,000% following fulfilment of its U1 Kickstarter campaign.
However, signs of potential market saturation are emerging. Chinese AM machine exports grew +58% YoY in Q2 2026, bringing total first-half exports to 3.9 million units. While part of this increase reflects seasonal inventory preparation for the Q4 holiday period, the surge highlights a potential gap between shipping volumes and end-market absorption. Creality issued a profit warning citing price competition, noting essentially flat 1H 2026 revenues from AM machine sales. Concurrently, major vendors including Bambu Lab are expanding into adjacent product categories like laser engravers and UV printers, potentially indicating expectations of slower growth in AM machine shipments. Nevertheless, demand remains robust supported by hobbyists expanding multi-machine setups and the rapid proliferation of high-volume print farms globally, particularly in domestic China.
