“Unlike the objective of far too many companies, manufacturing is not about a quick 'exit.' It is centered on long-term value creation.”
– Hamdi Ulukaya
This is a published version of the AMT Tech Report newsletter. You can sign up to get the Tech Report in your inbox here.
1. Cobots Are Reshaping the Shop Floor
Collaborative robots are changing how manufacturers think about automation, blending human flexibility with robotic precision. In an IMTS+ webinar with Weldon Solutions, AMT explored cobot safety, deployment ease, and real-world use cases. With rapid market growth and expanding capabilities, cobots offer a practical path to smarter, scalable automation for shops of all sizes. Get the recap or watch the recording now.
2. DLP or SLA? Yes!
Last week, I toured Axtra3D’s North Carolina facility and saw their Hybrid PhotoSynthesis technology in action. Their Lumia X1 isn’t for hobbyists – it’s a high-speed SLA machine built for real-deal production. With the launch of TrueSilX50, they're now 3D printing true silicone parts with unmatched detail, speed, and finish. This isn’t prototyping. It’s haute fashion for mass industrial manufacturing.
3. Tooling Like Clockwork
While in Charlotte for an AMT Meetup, I also visited WTO Tools – a live tooling powerhouse for Swiss lathes. Think of them as a gearbox manufacturer, but instead of cars, they build the precision drivetrains behind most OE live tooling systems. If your Swiss lathe’s live tools are humming, there's a good chance WTO engineered the system making it happen.
4. Welcome to Walmart!
Alquist 3D just wrapped its fastest job yet: a 5,000-square-foot, 3D printed, Walmart pickup area in Alabama. Using two printers and a five-person crew, the 16-foot walls went up in just 75 hours – and were 15% cheaper and produced 55% less waste than traditional methods. Automation and precise material control were key. It’s the second Walmart project for Alquist and signals a scalable, cost-effective future for construction 3D printing.
5. The Dust Has Been Settled
Brembo’s new Greentell brake discs use laser metal deposition – a form of metal additive manufacturing – to apply a nickel-free coating that slashes wear by 80% and cuts environmental impact by 85%. Designed to meet Euro 7 standards, the discs reduce brake dust pollution and boost longevity. Expect cleaner wheels and longer-lasting rotors on high-end cars like BMWs and Porsches starting next year – at least in Europe.
To get the latest tech developments delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe to the weekly Tech Report here.
To hear the latest in additive manufacturing, material removal, automation, and digital manufacturing, subscribe to the AMT Tech Trends podcast here.
