Large format additive manufacturing robotics and services companies aim to accelerate the technology’s adoption
Industrial robotic large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) company Caracol is partnering with Additive Engineering Solutions (AES), a provider of turnkey LFAM services. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing within the aerospace & defense (A&D) sector.
The collaboration will include AES installing a Caracol Heron AM platform to further expand their capabilities while focusing on leveraging AES’s in-depth understanding of A&D requirements with Caracol’s advanced technology to process critical projects like tooling for composites and full-scale engineering mockups.
AES, known for its expertise in providing tooling for composites and full-scale engineering mockups for A&D original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers, brings deep industry experience, an aerospace AS9100 Quality Management System certification, and compliance with NIST cybersecurity standards to the partnership. These credentials position AES as a trusted provider within the U.S. A&D industry.
Caracol’s integrated robotic additive manufacturing platform, Heron AM, has already gained traction globally in the A&D sector, given the company’s experience on production of composite tooling, as the first LFAM company to have AS9100-certified production facility in Europe. More specifically, the company has a unique know-how on leveraging robotics for large format 3D printing in both thermoplastic composites and metals – having developed turnkey platforms integrating hardware and software.
The two companies aim to further merge their expertise in technology, sector, and projects to boost innovation in A&D-specific applications. AES, with its robust capabilities and market presence, is an ideal collaborator for Caracol – and the latter’s modular, turnkey setup will allow AES to easily scale and adapt to their production needs. This partnership strengthens both companies’ positions as leaders in the rapidly evolving field of additive manufacturing.
“We are very happy for this strategic partnership with AES. Their know-how and experience in developing cutting-edge applications for the aerospace & defense industry perfectly matches Caracol’s DNA in developing application-driven integrated turnkey hardware/software technological platforms,” says Francesco De Stefano, Caracol CEO and co-founder. “Together, we can really push the boundaries of large format AM in highly regulated industries for both polymers and metal applications.”
“We’re excited to partner with Caracol as A&D application development is at the core of what AES does on a daily basis,” says Austin Schmidt, AES president & co-founder. “Aside from expanding our reach in this industry, Caracol’s offering of both turnkey polymer and metallic robotic platforms is of interest to AES as we continue to evolve in the LFAM market.”
Caracol was founded in 2017 in Milan, Italy, opened the largest LFAM production center in Europe, and a new production facility in Austin, Texas, in August 2023. Its core team of more than 80 international professionals has competencies in mechanical engineering, automation, computational design, design for additive, and advanced manufacturing processes.
AES LLC was founded in Akron, Ohio, in 2016 as a contract manufacturer of large-format polymer 3D printing services. Today, AES’ large capacity for large-format polymer 3D printing enables it to provide solutions for the composite tooling markets, engineered and marketing mockups, and thermoplastic end-use parts. AES provides turnkey solutions in engineering & design, 3D printing, large format 5-axis machining, inspection, and finishing. AES is certified as ISO9001/AS9100 and is NIST cybersecurity and ITAR compliant.
