AddUp promises 12X larger, 300% more productive MASSIF metal 3D printer
To be based on beam shaping technology and developed in collaboration with CETIM, Dassault Systèmes
AddUp is working with CETIM, Dassault Systèmes, and others to develop MASSIF, a giant new metal L-PBF 3D printer that will feature a build volume of up to 750mm x 750mm x 1m (height) and productivity increased by up to 300%. This project is designed to boost productivity, reduce costs, and meet evolving sustainability goals, offering unparalleled capabilities for industrial applications.
The new machine will leverage the robust foundation of AddUp’s FormUp 350, a highly reliable and precise platform designed for demanding industrial environments. With high throughput and accuracy, the FormUp 350 has proven its capability in serial production, currently being used by customers across the world to deliver thousands of critical components such as medical implants, satellite and aerospace parts.
Additive manufacturing has the potential to offer significant advantages over traditional methods, including greater design flexibility, faster production times, and a more eco-friendly approach. The new MASSIF machine elevates these benefits with key advancements that provide unprecedented value to customers. It boasts unmatched productivity, increasing output by 300% and reducing part costs by 50-70%. The MASSIF machine’s massive build volume allows for the creation of parts 12 times larger than current AddUp machines, pushing the boundaries of metal additive manufacturing. Additionally, it minimizes waste, generating less than 10% powder waste, which ensures a more sustainable production process. Superior quality is achieved through AddUp’s proprietary technology, delivering best-in-class surface finishes that often eliminate the need for costly post-processing. In-process monitoring guarantees parts are printed correctly from the start, reducing the need for extensive quality assurance testing. Furthermore, the MASSIF machine emphasizes an eco-friendly focus, utilizing decarbonated energy to align with global sustainability goals.
The MASSIF machine will be developed by AddUp in collaboration with Cailabs, CETIM, Dassault Systèmes, ISP Systems, and Vistory and has been selected as the winner of the prestigious #France2030 “Robots and Intelligent Machines of Excellence” program. The project is named MASSIF, which stands for “Metal Additive System, Sustainable, Industrial, eco-Friendly”, and supports a broader strategy to drive the next wave of industrial and technological innovation. By 2030, the “Robots and Intelligent Machines of Excellence” program envisions a highly automated and intelligent industrial ecosystem, contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
“It was the association of the best experts, each in their field, that allowed us to launch the MASSIF project. This technological leadership in large-scale metal 3D printing will enable us to meet the challenges of energy transition and productivity for aeronautics, defense and space players, always in a co-design approach by AddUp with its clients,” explains AddUp CEO, Julien Marcilly.
The MASSIF project is a testament to innovation and collaboration. Under the leadership of AddUp, the consortium brings together the unique expertise of each partner to create a machine that is not only larger but also more productive, efficient, and eco-friendly than anything currently available on the market.
AddUp, as the consortium leader, is designing the MASSIF machine and building a prototype that integrates the technological building blocks of the process along with production quality monitoring solutions. Cailabs is focused on developing laser beam-shaping solutions to enhance printing speed, thereby improving machine productivity. ISP Systems contributes by developing a dynamic beam-shaping solution to enhance laser beam focusing quality. Dassault Systèmes, through its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, provides a data enhancement solution that uses real data to create virtual models, simulating products, processes, and factory operations in a virtual twin experience to efficiently manufacture certified critical parts. Vistory is working on a solution to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of manufacturing data, safeguarding industrial property and ensuring traceability of operations. CETIM is supporting the technological development of the prototype by conducting tests on its FormUp multi-laser equipment, then integrating the final machine into its Printing Bourges center to validate manufacturing parameters for various materials and produce the first demonstration parts for different target markets.
The MASSIF project is underway, with the process of prototyping and initial production already in motion. The first machine is anticipated to be installed at CETIM’s Printing Bourges center, where it will undergo further validation. As the project progresses, MASSIF is poised to meet the industry’s increasing demand for productivity, cost-efficiency, and high-quality parts, all while fostering a more sustainable future in manufacturing.
