A South West-based engineering team is poised to revolutionize the large-format additive manufacturing industry with the introduction of their latest product, ‘Apollo.’
Rapid Fusion has invested over £500,000 in developing this comprehensive 3D printing solution, which leverages robotics to enhance the production of large components and molds. Founder Jake Hand believes that this groundbreaking technology will enable manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, and furniture sectors to produce high-quality products at remarkable speeds, all while significantly reducing costs compared to existing models.
Hand anticipates that sales could surpass £4 million in the first year, and the launch has already resulted in the creation of seven new jobs. Additionally, a specialized research and development and demonstration center is being established in Skypark, Exeter.
“I have been in this industry for quite some time, and we frequently heard requests for an automated large-format solution,” Hand stated. “No one was offering anything similar in the UK, so we decided to take action, and the Apollo system signifies a significant innovation that is set to disrupt the current market.”
The Apollo system features a top-tier, award-winning pellet extruder, a customized control system, and a robotic Kuka arm that extends nearly four meters. This allows users to design and produce items on a print bed measuring 2 meters by 3 meters, making it ideal for crafting bespoke furniture, sizable automotive parts, and intricate aerospace components.
As a sister company to 3D printing hardware specialist EVO 3D, Rapid Fusion aims to establish itself as a leader in the additive manufacturing field, with all products designed, built, and assembled in the UK.
Retailing at £250,000, Apollo is the company’s inaugural bespoke cell, boasting speeds nearly 200 times faster than traditional FDM printers. It also allows for the use of a wide array of engineering-grade polymers while creating custom composites. Clients can benefit from substantial cost reductions, as pellets can be 65% to 90% cheaper than equivalent plastic filaments.
Hand added, “Our Apollo systems have generated considerable interest, leading to reseller agreements with international partners, including CNC World in the UK, Hyperion in Australia, Maptec in Dubai, and ACCUFACTURE in the USA.
“There are numerous domestic opportunities as well, and this is merely the beginning. Our R&D team is already developing the next generation of systems, which will push innovation even further. This includes the potential integration of CNC machining into our solutions and an exciting Innovate UK-backed project set to launch Evo 1.”
Rapid Fusion is scheduled to open its Skypark facility in October and, if the anticipated order pipeline materializes, plans to create an additional seven positions in the South West over the next year.