Caracol, a company headquartered in Barlassina, Italy, is set to debut its Vipra AM Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) machine at Formnext 2024. This innovative robotic platform, designed for producing large-format metal components, will be showcased at the Caracol booth on November 19.
“At Caracol, we believe the future of manufacturing lies in combining a strong application focus with advanced innovative technologies that reshape the capabilities of industrial production lines,” said Francesco De Stefano, CEO of Caracol AM.
Vipra AM leverages Caracol’s expertise in advanced process control and software for large-format additive manufacturing with thermoplastics and composite materials. The new metal platform integrates cutting-edge hardware and software with robotic monitoring and automation to address the needs of industrial manufacturers working on complex, large-scale projects.
Two Configurations of Vipra AM:
- Vipra XQ (Extreme Quality)
- Utilizes Plasma Arc Deposition technology for high-strength, precision components.
- Targets sectors like aerospace (load-bearing brackets, structural parts) and energy (valves, structural piping connectors).
- Processes materials such as stainless steels and titanium alloys.
- Vipra XP (Extreme Productivity)
- Focused on productivity and cost efficiency for large-scale metal projects.
- Suited for industries like transportation (automotive parts, marine propellers) and architecture (sculptures, lightweight structures).
- Processes aluminium and nickel-based alloys.
Both configurations are capable of producing advanced components such as load-bearing finished parts, lightweight structures, and on-demand spare parts.
Industry Impact
“The launch of Vipra AM is a breakthrough for the metal Additive Manufacturing industry,” said Gianrocco Marinelli, Caracol’s Metal Additive Manufacturing Director. The machine addresses critical challenges such as material waste, long lead times, and cost pressures. Vipra AM enhances production lines with hybrid models that blend legacy techniques and advanced metal deposition, offering manufacturers greater efficiency without requiring full operational overhauls.
Caracol’s debut at Formnext 2024 underscores its commitment to innovation and redefining industrial manufacturing capabilities.
