America Makes to host Additive-in-Steel competition 2026 alongside RAPID + TCT

Additive manufacturing with steel is increasingly coming into focus for industrial applications, as robust materials can now be combined with complex geometries. Against this backdrop, America Makes has announced that it will host the “Additive in Steel” competition in 2026 on April 15 in Boston. The event is embedded in the spring TRX meeting and will take place in parallel with the trade fair RAPID + TCT, which is organized jointly with the industry association SME.

The renewed co-location of the competition, technical conference, and trade fair is intended to facilitate exchange between industry, research, and the public sector. For metal 3D printing, this proximity is particularly relevant, as new process chains often emerge only through the interaction of material development, design, and qualification. America Makes is deliberately focusing on early-career development and is addressing student teams who are to design and manufacture functional components using steel-based additive processes.

At the core of the challenge is the development of a practical, everyday multitool made of steel that is produced using metal additive manufacturing. Teams are expected to consider real-world use scenarios and align their designs with the requirements of first responders, such as emergency services or military personnel. In this way, the competition links historical concepts of multifunctional tools with the current possibilities of 3D printing, such as integrating multiple functions into a single monolithic component.

“Inspiring the next generation to explore the potential of additive manufacturing is critical to our industry’s future,” said Ben DiMarco, Technology Transition Director at America Makes. “This competition is a launchpad for young innovators to push boundaries, build real-world skills, collaborate, and redefine what’s possible.”

By embedding the competition within RAPID + TCT, America Makes is deliberately positioning it in an industrial environment. This gives participants direct exposure to current developments in metal 3D printing and to the requirements that series applications place on processes and component quality today.