Rapid Fusion has announced the launch of its Apollo large-format additive manufacturing technology, a development that promises to disrupt the status quo in manufacturing.
The UK-based company, sister business of 3D printing hardware supplier EVO 3D, has invested over 500,000 GBP to bring its robotic 3D printing technology to market. Apollo aims to quickly produce large parts and molds for manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, and furniture industries.
“Nobody was doing anything like this in the UK, so we thought…you know what, let’s see what we can do,” said founder Jake Hand. “Our Apollo system represents a massive innovation that promises to disrupt the status quo.”
Apollo, built and assembled in the UK, uses pellet extrusion printing, a custom control system, and a Kuka robotic arm. This combination allows it to create parts within a large 2 x 3 x 3 meter build volume.
Rapid Fusion says its technology is almost 200 times faster than current FDM printers. They also claim significant cost savings with their pellet feedstock, which is said to be 65%-90% cheaper than filament. This includes using hundreds of different engineering-grade polymers.
The Apollo system will retail at 250,000 GBP. Hand believes the company can expect more than 4 million GBP worth of sales in its first year, with international reseller agreements already in place across the UK, Australia, Dubai, and the USA.
“This is just the start,” Hand continued. “Our R&D team are already working on the next generation of systems, which have the potential to push innovation even further.”
Future developments may include integrating CNC machining into their solutions. The company is also working on an Innovate UK-backed project that will lead to the launch of Evo 1, a gantry style large-format 3D printer.
The Evo 1 project, announced last summer, is backed by 1.1 million GBP in funding from Innovate UK. It involves collaboration with industry giants Rolls-Royce, Baker Hughes, and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, further underlining the potential impact of Rapid Fusion’s innovations on the manufacturing sector.
Source- Rapid Fusion
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Nestor Sawayn is a U.S.-based tech journalist specializing in maker tools and creative technologies. His coverage spans 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters across North America, Europe, and Asia. Sawen’s articles offer concise, insightful analysis of the latest News, innovations in this space. Beyond hardware, he explores the creative potential of board games and tabletop RPGs, providing readers with a comprehensive view of both digital and analog maker trends.
Feel free to reach out to me at nestorsawayn@360techinsights.com.
