Humtown and Fabri: two visions shaping the future of AM in foundries
The foundry industry is undergoing a profound transformation as additive manufacturing (AM) technologies redefine what’s possible in metal casting and mold production. Two companies recently stood out out in this wave of innovation: Fabri, a startup leveraging digital foundries and cutting-edge AI to accelerate investment casting, and Humtown Innovations, which is merging tradition and technology to breathe new life into the manufacturing process.
In both cases, additive manufacturing is seen as the key to transforming traditional manufacturing processes such as casting, easing the transition into digital manufacturing. The market for the digital transformation of casting is expected to remain niche but will grow to over $1 billion in yearly sales of hardware, materials and services by 2032, according to VoxelMatters’ latest report (about 1% of the global metal casting market). This hybrid business model promises more short-term returns and, possibly, a resurgence for companies such as ExOne (part of Desktop Metal/Nano Dimension) and voxeljet which have led the additive casting segment for over a decade, through many challenges.
$5M to revolutionize investment casting
Fabri completed a $5 million seed funding round, led by Lavrock Ventures with participation from RTX Ventures, Tenon Ventures, and SBXi. This funding represents a major step forward in the company’s mission to revolutionize the investment casting industry by delivering precision metal castings with unparalleled speed and cost-effectiveness.
Fabri’s strategy addresses long-standing challenges in the investment casting sector, which is crucial for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment. By combining rapid manufacturing processes with precision engineering, Fabri helps businesses stay ahead of evolving market demands. Its advanced design software optimizes casting designs to minimize waste while ensuring superior quality, delivering a seamless, cost-effective experience to its customers.
The $5 million seed funding will enable Fabri to scale its operations and enhance proprietary technologies. This investment also facilitates broader market reach, allowing the company to provide its transformative solutions to a wider audience and empowering businesses to innovate without compromise. The company’s backers’ support highlights the industry’s recognition of Fabri’s ability to deliver value and transformative change.
At the forefront of innovation in the investment casting industry, Fabri is pioneering a new era of precision manufacturing that helps businesses thrive in a competitive market. With this investment, the company is poised to lead the charge in transforming the production of metal castings, ensuring faster delivery, reduced costs, and boundless opportunities for innovation.
Breathing new life into a former chocolate factory
When Humtown acquired the former Gorant chocolate factory, it wasn’t just a move—it was an opportunity to transform a cherished local landmark into the epicenter of cutting-edge additive manufacturing. The building’s sweet legacy as a chocolate factory continues to shine through, even as we add layers of innovation and purpose to its vibrant history.
Some things haven’t changed. The pipes in the ceiling are still filled with chocolate, a quirky and delightful reminder of the building’s origins. The candy-colored walls remain untouched, infusing every corner of the factory with a playful, nostalgic charm. Even Gorant chocolate bars are still present inside the building, now adorned with the Humtown logo, symbolizing a sweet union of past and future.
While honoring the building’s heritage, the company introduced modern advancements to support forward-thinking operations. Humtown’s fleet of state-of-the-art 3D sand printers has moved in, ready to create innovations with unmatched precision. Nearly every light bulb has been replaced with LED lighting, creating a brighter, energy-efficient environment. Additionally, office renovations are well underway, shaping a workspace that reflects Humtown’s creative and industrious spirit.
This unique merger of chocolate and sand, tradition and technology, is at the heart of Humtown’s vision. A vision that is no less “digital” and no less “revolutionary” than that of a young startup such as Fabri. As old manufacturing companies (and even entire manufacturing sectors) are engulfed and wiped out by the wind of change, those who can rapidly embrace new and more efficient ways of doing things will inevitably emerge to replace them.
