The MetalFAB1 is basically an entire automated additive factory in one unit
At the fourth edition of its Additive World Conference in Eindhoven, which is starting today, March 23rd, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Additive Industries announced two new beta customers for its advanced MetalFAB1 metal 3D printing production system.
These two very different new beta partners, the Dutch KaaK Group and United Grinding Corp, will now join to Airbus’ APWorks, which was the first company in the world to acquire the MetalFAB1 and enter the beta customer program. The MetalFAB1 is a powder bed metal (SLM-based) 3D printer with significantly increased automation capabilities, for up to 10X process repeatability.
Kaak Group, a leading food tech company specialised in integrated automated bakery systems, has been a partner in Additive Industries’ AddLab from 2014.
“We will use metal additive manufacturing to produce parts for our dough handling equipment and foresee an important role for 3D metal printing in our future global spare parts supply chain,” stated Kaak Group’s CEO Mr. Lodewijk van der Borg.
While hailing from a very different business segment, United Grinding Group, a world-leading supplier of machines for hard fine machining, will also use the metal 3D printer to produce parts and even products.
The company will enter into the MetalFAB1 Beta programme through their recent Joint Venture with Inspire, IRPD in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
“We see metal additive manufacturing as a promising addition to our subtractive business,” said CEO Mr. Stephan Nell, who sees the company’s investment as strategic. “We have great expectations of our collaboration with Additive Industries,” he added.
With the announcement of these two more MetalFAB1 Beta customers, Additive Industries has closed its beta programme and has effectively sold out its MetalFAB1 systems available in this phase, just three months after its market launch at the end of last year.
In parallel to the execution of the MetalFAB1 Beta programme Additive Industries will start ramping up for series production.
“We expect the first series machines to leave our factory before the end of this year,” said Daan Kersten, co-founder and CEO of Additive Industries.
Since the machines are build for serial production through additive manufacturing, it seems quite fitting.
MetalFAB1, 3D metaalprinter van Additive Industries met Daan Kersten (l) & Jonas Wintermans
