2026 Global AM Event Guide: Unlocking the Core Value of TCT Asia & TCT Shenzhen

As additive manufacturing matures from "prototyping" to "production," the global event calendar for 2026 reflects this shift. The TCT Group, serving as the industry's primary connector, has curated a series of events spanning Tokyo, Shanghai, Boston, Birmingham, Seoul, and Shenzhen.

This guide outlines the complete TCT 2026 Portfolio, with a strategic deep dive into why China is the only market robust enough to host two distinct flagship events: TCT Asia 2026 and TCT Shenzhen 2026.

The Global Context: TCT 2026 Calendar

A chronological guide to the world's most influential design-to-manufacturing events.

TCT Japan 2026

• Date: Jan 28 – 30, 2026
• Location: Tokyo Big Sight, Japan
• The Focus: Precision & Intelligence.
• Japan's manufacturing DNA lies in precision. This event highlights the fusion of AM with Metrology (X-Ray CT) and manufacturing intelligence, ideal for users obsessed with quality control and new material properties.

TCT Asia 2026

• Date: Mar 17 – 19, 2026
• Location: NECC, Shanghai, China
• The Focus: The Ecosystem Flagship.
• See Section 2 for a deep dive. This is the "Super Bowl" of the Asian market.

RAPID + TCT 2026

• Date: Apr 13 – 16, 2026
• Location: Boston, MA, USA
• The Focus: Defense, Medical & Workforce.
• Moving to Boston for the first time, this event taps into the East Coast's biotech and defense hubs.
• Highlight: The TCT Awards (April 14) will be hosted here under the theme "AMplify," celebrating global innovation.

TCT 3Sixty 2026

• Date: Jun 2 – 4, 2026
• Location: NEC, Birmingham, UK
• The Focus: Complete Industrial Supply Chain.
• Co-located with Interplas and Med-Tech Innovation Expo, offering a "360-degree" view of how AM fits into the broader plastics and medical manufacturing lines.

TCT Korea 2026 (3DPAM)

• Date: Aug 26 – 28, 2026
• Location: Seoul, South Korea
• The Focus: Academic & Research.
• Operating as the World 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Summit, this event is the hub for bio-printing research, academic papers, and frontier material science.

TCT Shenzhen 2026

• Date: Oct 14 – 16, 2026
• Location: Shenzhen World, China
• The Focus: Application Landing.
• See Section 2 for details. The gateway to the Greater Bay Area factory floor.

The Strategic Deep Dive: China's "Dual-Core" Value

Why China hosts two TCT events and how to choose between them.

China's manufacturing landscape is so vast that a single event cannot cover all user needs. TCT Group employs a "Dual-Core Strategy" to serve different market functions.

The "Market Definer": TCT Asia 2026 (Shanghai)

• Role: The Strategic Hub.
• The Scale: Occupying Halls 7.1 and 8.1 at the NECC.
• The Content:
• Hall 7.1 (Metal Ecosystem): Dedicated entirely to the world's largest metal printers (e.g., Eplus3D, BLT) and the aerospace/energy supply chain.
• Hall 8.1 (Polymers & Innovation): Focusing on consumer materials, software, and international brand premieres.
• Why Attend: To see "What's Next." This is where CEOs announce strategies and where global brands interface with the Chinese market.

The "Application Accelerator": TCT Shenzhen 2026 (Shenzhen)

• Role: The Tactical Hub.
• The Location: The Greater Bay Area (GBA)—the factory of the world.
• The Content:
• Laser-focused on vertical implementation: Consumer Electronics, Mold Making, Jewelry, and Digital Dentistry.
• Connects directly with the Southeast Asian supply chain.
• Why Attend: To see "How to Make It." This event is about sourcing immediate solutions for production lines in electronics and light industry.

Decision Matrix: Which Show is for You?

A guide for maximizing ROI based on your business profile.

Start Your 2026 Journey

The global innovation cycle begins in Shanghai. Don't miss the industry's most dynamic flagship event.

[Pre-register for TCT Asia 2026 Here]

Dates: March 17-19, 2026 | Venue: NECC, Shanghai