The brief

Analyst view

• Inventor of FDM extrusion printing (1989). F-series dominates production. Revenue $572M (2024).
• SAF powder-bed printer (H350) uses thermal fusion for nylon. Gained HighDef in 2024.
• Agreed in May 2026 to buy Markforged for $42.5M (closing expected H2 2026), adding continuous-fiber composites.

Technical approach

As reported

FDM Extrusion

Heated nozzles extrude thermoplastic filament

FDM melts thermoplastic filament and deposits it layer by layer. Strong, durable parts; the most widely used 3D printing method.

SAF Selective Absorption

Thermal fusion of powder particles

SAF uses thermal energy to selectively fuse particles in a powder bed without melting them entirely, enabling powder reuse and cost efficiency.

Continuous Fiber Reinforcement

Carbon, Kevlar or glass fibers embedded in composites

Markforged's patented continuous fiber technology adds carbon or other fibers within the part for aerospace-grade strength while keeping weight low.