Xact Metal, 3D Systems, Freemelt, Snapmaker and Eplus3D report orders, capacity and materials

A 3DPrint.com briefing from 5 November 2026 collects several industry items. Xact Metal reports record orders in Q2 and Q3 and opens orders for the XM300G. 3D Systems opens a Colorado technology centre, Freemelt wins a tungsten order from ESS, Snapmaker adds a filament bundle, and Eplus3D partners with Hofmann CNC.

Context Electron beam powder bed fusion melts metal powder with an electron beam in vacuum, a route often used for refractory metals such as tungsten.

What did Xact Metal report?

Xact Metal, a privately owned US maker of affordable metal printers, says orders in Q2 and Q3 were records, up by more than 30% through September 2026 against the prior year. Its XM200G μHD, which prints very small parts with powder below 22 μm and a 25 μm laser spot, began shipping in the third quarter. Orders are now open for the mid-size XM300G laser powder bed fusion line, with a build cube of 300 mm per side that can be extended in height. According to CEO Juan Mario Gomez, shipments are planned for mid 2027.

Where are 3D Systems, Freemelt and Eplus3D expanding?

3D Systems opened an Industrial Technology Center in Littleton, Colorado, adding about 50,000 square feet and bringing its US and European manufacturing space to roughly 250,000 square feet. The site holds ISO 9001, AS9100D and ITAR registrations and targets aerospace, defence and semiconductor customers.

Freemelt, a Swedish company working with electron beam powder bed fusion, received a SEK 28 million order from the European Spallation Source for 7,000 tungsten-based components. They serve the neutron-producing target wheel and have a limited service life. Deliveries run over 14 months, mostly in 2027.

Eplus3D and Hofmann CNC are combining metal AM and precision machining. Hofmann CNC bought an EP-M300 dual-laser system and is building an application centre in Germany, with medical parts as a field to explore. Eplus3D will show at Formnext 2026, Hall 12.0, Booth E101.

What else is in the briefing?

Snapmaker launched a four-spool PLA bundle at 89 dollars with semi-translucent cyan, yellow, magenta and white filaments for its U1 printer. Alternating thin layers lets one print show more perceived colours than the four loaded materials. The briefing also mentions the ENCAJA prosthetic socket system, a James Dyson Award winner; the available text on it is incomplete.

What it means

For European SMEs, the items point to practical options rather than single breakthroughs. Xact Metal's growth and its XM300G, due mid 2027, suggest more affordable metal systems are arriving, though shipment dates leave a wait. The Hofmann CNC move shows machining shops adding AM beside existing finishing skills, which eases qualification and skills gaps. Freemelt's ESS order shows demand for replacement parts with a known service life. Buyers should still check cost per part and certification individually. This continues the earlier Xact Metal and Freemelt stories.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Xact Metal XM300G ship?

Orders are open now, and shipments are planned for mid 2027, according to CEO Juan Mario Gomez.

What is Freemelt delivering to the European Spallation Source?

It will print 7,000 tungsten-based components for the ESS target wheel, delivered over 14 months, mostly in 2027, under a SEK 28 million order.

Why did Hofmann CNC partner with Eplus3D?

Hofmann CNC adds metal AM to its machining so it can offer both routes. It bought an EP-M300 dual-laser system and is building a German application centre.