The 2026 Rapid.tech 3D additive manufacturing expo in Erfurt, Germany, took place from May 5 to 7, featuring 52 exhibitors showcasing 3D printing applications, equipment concepts, and process chains. The key message from the conference was that 3D printing is transitioning from an isolated technology to an integral part of end-to-end production chains, with a focus on automated processes, digital manufacturing strategies, and the shift of additive manufacturing toward resilient batch production. The final day concentrated on aerospace and defense, where novaindef founder presented mobile containerized production units for military field use, enabling spare parts manufacturing near usage sites to shorten maintenance and supply chains. The VDMA forum addressed scalable additive manufacturing process chains, while the AM Science Forum focused on metal additive manufacturing, material development, process simulation, and quality management. The conference awarded its first Excellence Award and Best Paper Award.