MX3D, a pioneering company specializing in robotic metal 3D printing technology, has announced the successful completion of a €7 million Series A funding round. This significant investment aims to accelerate the company’s international growth and expand the reach of its innovative Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) solutions.
The funding round was spearheaded by EDF Pulse Ventures, the venture capital arm of the French energy giant EDF, with participation from ING Sustainable Investments and continued support from existing investor PDENH. This strong consortium of investors underscores the growing confidence in MX3D’s technology and its potential to revolutionize metal part manufacturing across various industries.
Scaling Operations and Expanding Global Footprint
MX3D will utilize the newly secured capital to aggressively scale its operations and broaden its international presence. Key initiatives include:
- Expanding Production Capacity: The company is significantly expanding its Amsterdam facility with a new production hall that will house six additional WAAM systems. This expansion will bring the total number of systems to 15, dramatically increasing MX3D’s capacity to print up to 20 tonnes of metal parts.
- Boosting Print-on-Demand Services: MX3D plans to further develop and expand its rapidly growing Print-on-Demand services, offering customers a flexible and efficient way to obtain large and complex metal parts without the need for in-house equipment.
- Strengthening Global Sales Network: The investment will enable MX3D to forge strategic partnerships and expand its global sales network, making its technology more accessible to clients worldwide. A recent partnership with Phillips Corporation is specifically aimed at accelerating adoption within U.S. federal clients.
Disrupting Traditional Manufacturing with WAAM Technology
MX3D’s core technology, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), presents a groundbreaking alternative to traditional metal manufacturing methods like casting and forging. This process utilizes industrial robots to weld metal wire layer by layer, creating complex, large-scale parts with significant advantages:
- Reduced Material Waste: WAAM technology drastically cuts down on material waste, achieving reductions of over 80% compared to conventional methods.
- Shorter Lead Times: The automated nature of the process significantly reduces manufacturing lead times, enabling faster production of critical components.
- Cost Efficiency: WAAM offers a more cost-effective solution for producing medium-to-large metal parts, with lower capital and operational expenditure compared to powder-based metal 3D printing technologies.
- Design Freedom: The robotic arm’s multi-axis movement allows for the creation of intricate and optimized geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods.
MX3D’s flagship product, the M1 Metal AM System, empowers companies to bring the production of large and complex metal parts in-house, enhancing flexibility and slashing costs. The company has also developed MetalXL, a dedicated software suite that streamlines the entire WAAM workflow, from design to print, with features like automatic calibration, real-time monitoring, and data analytics.
Serving Diverse Industries and Blue-Chip Clients
MX3D’s technology has already found applications across a range of demanding industries, including:
- Energy (Oil & Gas, Nuclear): Manufacturing robust and critical components for energy infrastructure.
- Maritime: Producing large, custom metal parts for shipbuilding and repair.
- Aerospace: Creating lightweight and high-strength components for the aerospace sector.
- Manufacturing: Enabling the production of customized tools, fixtures, and end-use parts.
The company boasts an impressive client portfolio that includes industry leaders such as the BMW Group, Framatome, and the U.S. Army, demonstrating the reliability and performance of its WAAM technology in mission-critical applications.
Leadership and Future Growth
Led by CEO Gijs van der Velden, MX3D is poised for significant growth with this new investment. The company has also strengthened its board of directors with the addition of Michel Hunsicker from EDF Pulse Ventures and Tibor van Melsem Kocsis representing PDENH, bringing valuable expertise in venture capital, advanced manufacturing, and the energy sector.
