Additive Manufacturing Startups: 4 Important Companies In This Sector

Additive Manufacturing Startups: 4 Important Companies In This Sector

Additive manufacturing illustrates the use of 3D printing to make operational components that include tools and production parts for the end use. Unlike “subtractive manufacturing” processes like machining where parts are formed by removing materials, additive manufacturing generates geometrics by adding raw materials like wire, filament, and powder. In this article, we are going to learn about the top additive manufacturing startups. But before that, let us have a look at how it works. 

How Does Additive Manufacturing Work?

Before we start to talk about the additive manufacturing startups, let us first have a look at how it works. Using CAD (computer aided design) or 3D object scanners, additive manufacturing enables the formation of objects with precise geometric shapes. These are constructed layer by layer, as with the 3D printing process, which works in contrast to traditional manufacturing that often needs machines or other techniques to discard extra materials. 

Additive Manufacturing Processes

There are numerous distinctive AM processes with their own levels that include:

Binder Jetting

This technology utilizes a 3D printing style head shifting x, y, and Z axes to deposit alternating layers of materials and a liquid binder that works as an adhesive. 

Directed Energy Deposition (DED)

DED additive manufacturing can be utilized with a broad variety of materials that include metals, ceramics, and polymers. An electron beam gun or laser, electric arc mounted on an arm travels horizontally melting wire, filament raw materials, or powder to create material as a bed moves vertically.

Material Extrusion

This common AM process utilizes spooled polymers which are either drawn through or extruded by a heated nozzle that is ascended on a movable arm. This constructs melted material layer by layer as the nozzle shifts horizontally and the bed also shifts but vertically. The layers stick through temperature control or chemical bonding elements.

Powder Bed Fusion

Powder bed fusion surrounds a variety of AM techniques that include direct metal laser melting (DMLM), electron beam melting (EBM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser sintering (SLS), and also selective heat sintering (SHS). Lasers, electron beams, or thermal print heads are used to melt or partially melt fine layers of material after which the remaining powder is blasted away.

Sheet Lamination

Sheet lamination can be divided into two techs: ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) and laminated object manufacturing (LOM). Laminated object manufacturing is suitable to form items with aesthetic or visual appeal and uses alternate layers of adhesive and paper.

Vat Polymerisation

This process utilizes a tank of liquid resin photopolymer to formulate a product layer by layer. Mirrors are available to direct UV light which heals the successive layers of resin via photopolymerization.

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing

Wire arc additive manufacturing uses arc welding power manipulators and sources to construct 3D shapes via arc deposition. This process usually uses wire as a material source and abides a predetermined path to formulate the required shape. This process of additive manufacture is usually done using robotic welding equipment.

Top 4 Additive Manufacturing Startups In Industry 4.0

By now we have learned how additive manufacturing works and what are the processes associated with the working of additive manufacturing. There are huge additive manufacturing business opportunities presented. Now let us have a look at the top additive manufacturing startups that are presently ruling the market. The best 3D printing startup in India is Fracktal Works. For the instances stated below you can also get some good 3D printing startup ideas. 

1. TRIDITIVE – Automated Mass Production

This is the first on our list of 3D printing startups 2022. 3D printers in association with advanced software enable minimizing human interference in the process of manufacturing, allowing the transition to completely automated and digitally permitted Industry 4.0. With additive manufacturing technology, complete parts can be generated in big amounts without the requirements for expensive molds or tooling. Spanish additive manufacturing startup TRIDITIVE originates from AMCELL, which is an automated additive manufacturing part for the constant production of ultimate parts. Unified with the cloud-based architecture of the entity for managing of production, AMCELL can create 24/7 with minor human intervention. The entity boasts 10.000 parts produced every month on every machine.

2. Ultimaker – On-Demand Production (Virtual Inventory)

Keeping an inventory of spare parts and tools is costly and makes businesses dependent on their suppliers and their potential to deliver spare tools or parts. Additive manufacturing can substitute traditional inventory with so-called virtual inventory, where needed jigs, spare parts, and fixtures are printed on-demand and also on-site. Dutch additive manufacturing startup Ultimaker generates industrial-grade filament deposition 3D printers. The printers produced by them have proven to hold value in the automotive industry for on-demand generation. For instance, the automotive company Volkswagen utilizes the Ultimaker 3 to generate jigs, gauges, and fixtures on-demand.

3. Roboze – Rapid Prototyping & Rapid Design Iteration

Additive manufacturing provides substantial time and cost reduction for formulating product prototypes. With this machinery, businesses can trial product designs before promising to set up production lines. That is why many entities replaced slow and outdated avenues of prototyping with 3D printers. The Italy-based additive manufacturing startup Roboze provides a combination of 3D printers and also advanced thermoplastic polymers for quick prototyping of operational products, that are ready to be tested and used, leading to the final product. The printers of the company’s mechanical, thermal and chemical perseverance allow quick development of products with highly complicated shapes.

4. Nano Dimension – Microprinting

The Israeli company Nano Dimension is among the best additive manufacturing startups that aim at ink products that are based on 3D electronics printing and nanotechnology. Its DragonFly 2020 3D printer can print high-resolution multilayer circuit boards in just a few hours, in a comparison to weeks or months needed for the conventional manufacturing method.

The Bottom Line

There are a lot of companies across the globe that use this technology. These industries include aerospace, medical industry, and many more. This manufacturing is mainly useful to construct complicated or broken parts whether for the latest application or to replace an old part that may not be available. In the above article, we have discussed the top 4 additive manufacturing startups that offer the best 3D printing services globally.

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Niccolo Romano

Niccolo Romano is an Italian writer who holds expertise in business, and startup related articles. He has a love for business news and is best in his niche.

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