Brooklyn-based Makelab to offer VCJ parts made with Inkbit system

Makelab, a young Brooklyn-based, on-demand 3D printing service provider, is among the first to offer parts made using Inkbit Vista systems. The Vision-Controlled Jetting (VCJ) technology developed by the MIT spinout is among the most advanced polymer AM technologies available on the market today in terms of precision and material quality.

For Inkbit, this collaboration not only accelerates time to market but also facilitates flexible hardware development and broader access to Inkbit’s Vision-Controlled Jetting (VCJ) technology, empowering a wider range of manufacturers and designers.

“Collaborating with Makelab was a logical progression in our dedication to offering customers an expedited route to the future of product development,” said Davide Marini, Co-Founder and CEO of Inkbit. “Working with Makelab allows us to harness their expertise in on-demand 3D printing and pair it with the Inkbit VCJ technology, creating new avenues for functional prototyping and streamlining the transition from design to production.”

The collaboration expands the accessibility of VCJ to companies eager to experiment with this new technology and materials in their prototyping processes such as consumer packaged goods, hardware, and industrial design firms seeking precise & advanced materials for functional & advanced prototyping.

VCJ technology has introduced new materials, Vulcan Soft Elastomer and Titan Tough Epoxy (also referred to as “Soft Elastic” and “Tough Epoxy” at Makelab), improving the ability to produce intricate and finely detailed 3D printed parts. Several emerging applications include precision components, liquid-holding seals, and specialized gaskets.

One of the early adopters of this collaboration, Hydrific, a Lixil company, and Makelab customer since 2022, experienced the transformative impact of VCJ technology on their project, tackling water conservation, usage, and sustainability in homes through hardware. With the precision of Vulcan Elastic, also referred to as “Soft Elastic” at Makelab, they were able to precisely prototype gasket parts for their product, with a tolerance and fit unlike any other materials currently available in the market. Because of their need for precision, Soft Elastic was a great fit for their prototyping applications.

“The Inkbit Vista system integrates cutting-edge precision and material versatility, enabling us to educate and transition our existing customers onto a more advanced platform and a new era of prototyping possibilities,” commented Christina Perla, Co-Founder and CEO of Makelab. “Our partnership sets the stage for a new wave of agile hardware development and promises to further evolve the additive manufacturing landscape.”