AltForm Will Unveil Modular DED Cells at Formnext 2026
The manufacturer will showcase expanded additive manufacturing hardware in Germany this November.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Robotics
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Italian manufacturer AltForm, formerly known as Prima Additive, will introduce new modular Directed Energy Deposition (DED) cells at the Formnext 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt. The event will take place from November 17-20, 2026, and will also feature the company's existing lineup of powder bed fusion machines.
Why it matters
The introduction of modular manufacturing hardware allows for greater scalability in industrial metal additive processes. AltForm aims to demonstrate how its robotically controlled systems can adapt to varying production requirements through flexible cell configurations.
The Zenit series features robot-integrated systems that scale from a 2 x 2 m work area with one robot to a 4 x 4 m area with four robots. The Print Brilliance 400 utilizes a four-laser array within a 420 x 420 x 450 mm build volume, significantly exceeding the 200 x 200 mm volume of the single-laser Print Sharp 200.
The players
AltForm
An Italian manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing machines, formerly operating under the name Prima Additive, specializing in robotic and laser-based production systems.
The details
AltForm machines use Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion — a process where a laser selectively melts thin layers of metal powder to build parts. The Zenit range robots can be programmed to operate simultaneously on a single component for faster production or independently to process different parts at once. An optional inert chamber, which provides a non-reactive environment by replacing oxygen with gases like argon, allows for the processing of reactive metals such as titanium and aluminium alloys.
Timeline
Formnext 2026 will be held in Frankfurt from November 17-20, 2026.
The Tech Race
AltForm is positioning its modular Zenit cells to compete within the growing market for large-format metal additive manufacturing. This debut at Formnext 2026 marks a significant step in the company's roadmap following its recent rebranding from Prima Additive.
Engineers and industrial manufacturers can expect to see these modular systems in operation at Hall 12.0, Booth E139 during the exhibition. The modularity of the Zenit range is designed to assist facilities that need to transition between single-part precision and multi-robot output.
The takeaway
AltForm is expanding its footprint in metal additive manufacturing by scaling robotic control across larger build volumes. Industry watchers should monitor the company's software interface demonstrations at Formnext 2026 for performance benchmarks regarding multi-robot coordination.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of industrial automation, explore the Robotics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Metal Additive Manufacturing.
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