For more than three decades, RAPID + TCT has served as a convergence point for leaders, innovators, and problem‑solvers shaping the future of additive manufacturing (AM). As the largest event of its kind in North America, the show has earned its reputation by evolving in step with an industry that never stands still. In 2026, RAPID + TCT takes another step forward with a new home in Boston and an expanded show floor built around three focused expo showcases: AeroDef Manufacturing, StartUp, and Healthcare.
Each showcase is designed to give attendees a sharper, more direct way to explore the technologies and ideas transforming AM today.
Additive manufacturing is rapidly becoming indispensable to aerospace and defense production. Reflecting that momentum, the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2026 budget request includes $3.3 billion dedicated to AM‑related initiatives — an 83% jump from the previous year. With supply chain vulnerabilities and workforce shortages continuing to challenge traditional manufacturing, AM offers a path to faster production, greater resilience, and reduced dependency on legacy suppliers.
Yet the defense sector operates under strict technical and regulatory expectations, making it difficult for buyers to identify qualified partners. The AeroDef Manufacturing Showcase addresses this challenge head-on by bringing together vetted technology providers, service bureaus, and equipment manufacturers in one curated space.
Exhibitors include Siemens, known for its automation and digital manufacturing platforms; VulcanForms, which integrates scalable metal additive manufacturing with machining and heat treatment; and MIT’s Center for Advanced Production Technologies, which bridges academic research with industrial deployment. Complementing the exhibit floor, the Knowledge Bar will host small-group discussions led by APEX Accelerators and industry experts focused on navigating procurement, security, and compliance in government contracting.
Innovation at RAPID + TCT isn’t limited to established players. The StartUp Showcase highlights the next wave of AM companies, those introducing fresh ideas, unconventional applications, and emerging hardware and software solutions. Designed for direct interaction, the space allows attendees to engage with founders, explore early-stage technologies, and assess their commercial potential up close.
Among the companies slated to exhibit are Niche 3D LLC, which provides AM‑optimized product development and CAD services; New Collar AI; and Unlayered 3D, a company advancing multi‑planar 3D printing technologies for broader market adoption. For attendees looking to spot trends early or identify future collaborators, the StartUp Showcase offers a front‑row view into what’s coming next.
Boston’s role as a global center for life sciences makes it a natural setting to spotlight healthcare applications of additive manufacturing. From patient‑specific implants and surgical tools to biocompatible materials and regenerative medicine, the region is driving some of the most impactful medical AM advances.
The Healthcare Showcase brings together surgeons, clinicians, researchers, engineers, and manufacturers working at the forefront of these developments. Exhibitors include Carbon, recognized for its Digital Light Synthesis™ technology; Park Dental Research Corp; and NanoVoxel GmbH, which specializes in high‑precision micro‑scale components. At the Knowledge Bar, experts will lead conversations examining regulatory challenges, clinical adoption, and emerging innovations in healthcare-focused AM.
RAPID + TCT 2026 marks the event’s first appearance in Boston, placing it at the heart of one of the world’s most influential research and innovation ecosystems. The city’s strengths—world‑class hospitals, top-tier universities like MIT and Harvard, a vibrant startup culture, and a significant aerospace and defense manufacturing base—are reflected throughout this year’s showcases.
Together, these elements will shape a dynamic show floor and the most comprehensive conference program in the event’s history, positioning RAPID + TCT 2026 as a defining moment for the additive manufacturing community.
