Car Part Prototyping and Robots - IDTechEx at TCT and Interplas

Automotive, medical, and defense are amongst the most common application sectors for 3D printing and injection molding, and the TCT and Interplas events hosted at the NEC during the first week of June showcased a number of startups and well-established players. During their visit, IDTechEx had the chance to speak with a diverse range of companies and learn about the current landscapes of both 3D printing and injection molding, and where exactly the focus is for the respective industries. IDTechEx's portfolio of 3D Printing Research Reports and Subscriptions is home to some of the latest developments within the industry.

 

 

3D printing processes aren't just concerned with plastic, but an entire range of materials, from polymers, ceramics, nylon powders, metal, and stone like materials. CDG, present at TCT 2026, is one company to work with this vast range of different materials, manufacturing parts for vehicle prototyping and medical equipment, moulds for work boots, demo parts, as well as equipment for the defense sector, with the company stating that prototyping still accounts for around 60% of 3D printing demand. CDG's involvement across 3D scanning, software, and their bureau service, highlights the vast scope for opportunities across the 3D printing industry. T-cams for racing cars and prosthetic devices are some of the printing products of Midlands 3D, another company which IDTechEx spoke with at TCT, that also deals in designs and specializes in fused deposition modelling (FDM) and multi jet fusion (MJF) services. IDTechEx's reports, "3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing 2024-2034: Technology and Market Outlook" and "Metal Additive Manufacturing 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, and Market Outlook", cover some of the incumbent and emerging technologies behind 3D printing.

 

 

 

Carbon neutrality is a huge focus for 3D Printing UK, the largest 3D printing company in the UK, and the 7^th largest in the world. The company has started to use bioplastic materials, as well as working with ClimatePartner and reportedly sponsoring low carbon companies, in efforts to offset its own carbon emissions. 3D Printing UK has a large current involvement in drone part manufacturing, such as for fixed wing drones, likely seen as a result of increased demand for defense applications. It generates around 1.5 million prints a year across multiple sectors adhering to the niche and bespoke demands of individual clients.

 

 

Injection molding is up and coming as a solution to rapidly manufacture parts in large quantities. Once a mould is specially designed and created for a specific part, the manufacturing process is quick and straightforward. Unlike 3D printing, which takes a bit longer but is great for prototyping or creating designs in lower volume, injection molding can be an efficient way to generate larger output. Defense is also a large sector for injection molding, according to JC Molding, particularly for applications such as camera and radio housings for uniforms. JC Molding creates the moulds and maintains ownership, so the process is cheaper for customers who just want to pay for the product and none of the tools.

 

 

 

Symbio-Tex are one company with a strong sustainability focus, using a seaweed feedstock to create products such as cutlery, golf tees, and pregnancy test strips that are home compostable. Its innovative technology is hopefully paving the way for more companies to follow suit and set targets for more environmentally-friendly materials.

 

Shibaura Machines also demonstrates a strong sustainability focus, manufacturing all-electric injection molding machines with a clean and sustainable production focus. It is the biggest injection molding supplier to the US, with its all-electric machines requiring much less maintenance and having an increased energy efficiency, without the need for the fossil fuel reliance associated with traditional oil-based hydraulic machines.

 

Machine manufacturing for injection molding was strongly represented at Interplas 2026, with many companies alongside Shibaura Machines exhibiting their robots and cleverly designed products. Companies like FANUC and Yushin were displaying robots that work alongside injection molding machines for labor saving and higher efficiencies, adding function and value to processes and operating at exceptionally high speeds.

 

 

For more information on the latest 3D printing technologies, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of 3D Printing Research Reports and Subscriptions, for the latest research and developments within the sector.