Caracol and AES combine technological capabilities to advance large-format 3D printing in high-precision industrial markets.
Caracol, an Italian medium- and large-format 3D printing innovator, has forged a strategic partnership with Ohio-based Additive Engineering Solutions (AES) to comprehensively target the aerospace and defense markets. This collaboration represents a significant technological convergence, combining Caracol’s recent innovative developments with AES’s extensive large-format manufacturing infrastructure and industry expertise.
The partnership emerges from Caracol’s successful 2023 funding round, which enabled the launch of a sophisticated directed energy deposition (DED) 3D printer. This addition complements the company’s existing lineup of robot-arm material extrusion platforms. The firm’s technological portfolio now includes the Vipra AM system, capable of printing advanced materials such as titanium, steel, and nickel superalloys, alongside the Heron polymer system supporting complex composite materials.
Additive Engineering Solutions, established in 2015, brings substantial credibility to the partnership. Operating with four gantry-based systems and CEAD robot arm units, AES has positioned itself as a pioneering large-format 3D printing service provider. Its AS 9100 certification, ITAR registration, and NIST compliance underscore its capability to handle critical aerospace and defense projects with the highest precision and reliability.
Caracol CEO Francesco De Stefano articulated the partnership’s strategic vision: “We are thrilled about this collaboration with AES. Their profound expertise in developing cutting-edge applications for the Aerospace & Defense industry perfectly aligns with Caracol’s commitment to developing application-driven integrated technological platforms. Together, we can push the boundaries of Large Format Additive Manufacturing in highly regulated industries.”
Caracol’s technological flexibility stands out, with systems compatible with ABB, KUKA, and FANUC robot arms. This versatility, combined with strategic considerations around robot arm origins—particularly given KUKA’s Chinese ownership—positions the partnership to appeal to discerning U.S. defense customers who may prefer ABB or FANUC alternatives.
The partnership strategically targets the expanding U.S. defense market, particularly as industry dynamics shift away from traditional global manufacturing relationships. AES’s own market philosophy, articulated on their website, emphasizes that large-format additive manufacturing demonstrates extraordinary value when dealing with complex, large shapes featuring intricate curvatures and deep projections.
By combining Caracol’s advanced technological platforms with AES’s extensive aerospace tooling expertise, the partnership represents a calculated approach to expanding technological capabilities in highly regulated industrial sectors. The collaboration leverages complementary strengths in polymer and metallic additive manufacturing technologies, potentially revolutionizing manufacturing processes in aerospace and defense industries.
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Alexa Sipes is a U.S. tech journalist with 5 years of experience, now writing for 360TechInsights. She covers emerging technologies and industry trends across North America, Europe, and Asia. Sipes’ concise reporting offers readers valuable insights into the latest tech news, innovations and the companies behind them.
Feel free to reach out to me at AlexaSipes@360techinsights.com.
