The halls of Formnext are filled with exciting machines and eye-catching 3D-printed objects. Yet among the many innovations on display, it’s the giant 3D printers that inevitably command attention. These large-format additive manufacturing systems offer massive build volumes, support diverse materials, and unlock new possibilities for production at scale. In this video, we take you on a tour of some of the biggest printers at the show.
We begin with the Crane WASP, a construction 3D printer built for printing with concrete, plaster, earthen material, and more. What we saw on the show floor was only part of the picture: The Crane WASP on display was the stand-alone version, but the unit as a whole can actually be much larger, and capable of printing houses.
Then, we headed over to the HFP printer from Moi, which uses cold-extrusion technology to deposit vinyl-ester resin reinforced with glass fiber. Each layer is immediately cured with UV light, enabling fast, stable builds. Thanks to its material properties and precision, the HFP is well-suited for both industrial fabrication and artistic installations.
Next, we stopped MULTIAX’s HYBRIDX machine, a hybrid system that merges extrusion-based 3D printing with precision milling. By enabling additive and subtractive processes on one platform, it minimizes the need to transfer parts between machines, streamlining production and improving accuracy.
Afterwards, we saw the latest large-format system from FANUM, which prints using foamed polystyrene, which is a lightweight, easily machinable material. This makes it particularly advantageous for creating oversized prototypes, molds, sculpture bases, and architectural forms where reduced weight and fast turnaround are essential.
We concluded the tour with Rapid Fusion, who drew attention with the debut of the Cerberus System. Named after the three-headed dog of Greek mythology, this massive machine features three coordinated toolheads: one for pellet extrusion, one for filament extrusion, and one for milling. The printer is in a standard, high-cube container, making it easy to ship, and it promises manufacturing within 25 minutes of deployment.
Together, these machines highlight a clear trend at Formnext: large-format and hybrid manufacturing technologies are becoming more capable, more versatile, and more accessible. As builders, designers, and manufacturers continue to push the limits of scale, the future of big 3D printing looks more exciting than ever.
Which big 3D printer was your favorite? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages! Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.