Rapid Fusion, a UK-based engineering team and sister business of 3D printing hardware specialist EVO 3D, has invested more than £500,000 into bringing to market its ‘Apollo’ system – a full turnkey 3D printing solution that utilizes the power of robotics to support the production of large components and molds. Jake Hand, the Founder of Rapid Fusion, believes this new technology will help automotive, aerospace, and furniture manufacturers achieve high-quality builds at rapid speeds – at a fraction of the cost of other models. He also believes more than £4m worth of sales are realistic in the first year, with seven new jobs having already been created, as well as the fit-out of a purpose-built R&D and demo center in Skypark, Exeter.
“I’ve been involved in the sector for some time and companies were continually asking for a product that offered them an automated large-format solution. Nobody was doing anything like this in the UK, so we thought… you know what, let’s see what we can do, and our Apollo system represents a massive innovation that promises to disrupt the status quo,” said Jake. “It utilizes a world-class, award-winning pellet extruder, tailored control system, and robotic Kuka arm that extends to nearly 4 meters. It means users can design and produce products on a print bed that is 2 meters x 3 meters squared, ideal for creating bespoke furniture pieces, large auto parts, and complex aerospace components.”
Apollo, which retails at £250,000, is the first bespoke cell the company is bringing to market – offering faster speeds than FDM printers (nearly 200 times quicker), as well as the ability to use hundreds of different engineering-grades polymers. Clients also have the potential to secure significant cost savings as pellets can cost 65% to 90% less than filament of the same plastic.
“Our Apollo systems are generating a lot of interest, and we’ve already agreed reseller agreements with international clients, such as CNC World in the UK, Hyperion in Australia, Maptec in Dubai, and ACCUFACTURE in the USA,” said Jake. “There are also a lot of domestic opportunities, and this is just the start. Our R&D team are already working on the next generation of systems, which have the potential to push innovation even further. This will include the possibility of integrating CNC machining into our solutions and an exciting Innovate UK-backed project that will herald the launch of Evo 1.”
Rapid Fusion will be opening its Skypark facility in October and – if the pipeline of orders is realized – it will look to create a further seven positions over the next twelve months.
