09/24/2026
We’re still buzzing from Autodesk University 2026, where thousands of designers, engineers, and manufacturers gathered in Las Vegas around a shared theme: Design & Make.
We joined Autodesk for The Factory Experience, a hands-on activation where attendees walked through a mock factory floor and built their own macro keypad using injection-molded, additive, and CNC parts produced by Xometry.
Beyond showcasing how a part gets made, the experience gave us a closer look at what people across the industry are thinking about next.
⚙️ Design is becoming more production-minded. The conversations we heard went beyond materials and processes. Attendees were asking how to move complex multi-process parts from concept to production, and how to do it with greater speed and flexibility.
💡 The gap between prototype and production is narrowing. Hobbyists, side-project builders, and emerging businesses are looking for ways to scale ideas without having to build a traditional manufacturing infrastructure first.
✏️ Manufacturing education is becoming more hands-on. Educators and engineering leaders were interested in bringing real-world, on-demand manufacturing into senior design programs and preparing students for the future. The Xometry Innovators Program came up as one way to make it happen.
🌎 Supply chain flexibility remains a priority. Conversations around local lead times, procurement, and international growth pointed to a continued need for manufacturing partners that can help teams move faster.
The panel sessions took the conversation even further, exploring AI, operational workflows, and what’s next for manufacturing. Across the floor and on stage, one message came through clearly: the industry is moving from isolated design and manufacturing steps toward more connected, flexible workflows.
That’s the future we’re excited to help build.
