3D Systems (DDD) and Velo3D (VELO) said aerospace, defense and semiconductor-equipment customers are moving qualified parts into volume production, according to Q3 2026 earnings calls on November 5 and 10.
Velo3D booked USD 28.9 million in new orders against USD 20.5 million in revenue; backlog rose to USD 40.1 million from about USD 31 million a quarter earlier. Partner Mears ordered its sixth Sapphire XC printer, dedicated to copper-nickel parts, a material used in shipbuilding and offshore applications. Velo3D disclosed a USD 11.5 million full-rate production contract from a defense prime in Q1 2026. It withdrew its second-half gross-margin target above 30%, expects sequential Q4 improvement, said its new campus has started phased operations but is not yet at scale, and kept full-year revenue guidance.
At 3D Systems, four strategic markets grew about 30% year over year combined, aerospace and defense grew 30% year to date, and some customers are adding printer capacity for semiconductor-equipment parts. Management said chip-making equipment components alone would justify a dedicated printer type and size, as would aerospace and defense; several new platforms are beyond concept phase, ready for detailed engineering and manufacturing. Consolidated revenue grew 10.9%, price-sensitive markets declined by double digits, and Q4 guidance was flat.
Materialise (MTLS) said Q3 manufacturing-segment series-production revenue rose over 30% year over year and added metal printing capacity for large defense parts; the segment fell 6% on a reported basis. Amaero (AMRO), a titanium and refractory spherical powder supplier, reported revenue up 35% and backlog of USD 13.4 million, up 180% year over year. Stratasys (SSYS) reported record Q2 consumables sales and U.S. Air Force certification of F900 printers for flight-worthy parts.
Source: Drillr Research, "Metal 3D Printing Shifts to Production Orders," Nov. 11, 2026.
