Large-format robotic 3D printing specialist Rapid Fusion has announced plans to open a new demonstration centre in the city of Exeter, UK.
Having reported a 25% revenue rise, Rapid Fusion is now seeking to build on its momentum by launching a £750,000 (approx. $900,000) investment drive. As part of the initiative, the firm is developing a hybrid 3D printing platform, which it intends to showcase inside a new facility.
Set to be named ‘Skypark,’ this complex will house its Apollo system, as well as its upcoming Zeus machine. While Apollo is a pellet-based 3D printer with exchangeable extruders built around KUKA robotics, Zeus combines 3D printing with CNC machining, to create what Rapid Fusion calls “a turnkey solution” for manufacturing large molds.
According to Rapid Fusion Founder Jake Hand, better than expected revenues from key industries have prompted his firm to accelerate growth, and expand its demo capabilities.
“There is a definite move in the market towards larger printing and more complex geometries,” he said in a statement. “We’re not just seeing that from automotive and aerospace, but maritime and even construction where we’ve signed an exciting deal with Italian business Nanoo.”
“With interest in our technology growing rapidly, we wanted to create a demonstration centre that people could visit and see the cells in action,” he added. “We can even do a few ‘prototype’ trials to prove the speed, accuracy and reliability of our solutions.”
Rapid Fusion makes some bold claims about its Apollo system, describing it as “nearly 200-times quicker than existing FDM printers.” In fact, it’s this speed that’s said to have attracted significant interest in the technology, just one year after it hit the market.
With the launch of Zeus later this year, Rapid Fusion anticipates being better able to address demand for hybrid manufacturing. It’s also developing an extruder extraction algorithm, which is expected to reduce stringing, and make its products even more attractive to would-be users.
Clearly, Rapid Fusion has a lot going for it. Although it competes in a crowded pellet 3D printing space, which includes the likes of Titan Robotics (now backed by 3D Systems), it seems to have tapped into several lucrative markets. So, the firm could be one to watch!
