Tresse project, a fully 3D printed stainless steel tower

Working with artist Ricardo Ragazzoni, MX3D began working on the Tresse project in 2020. This fully 3D printed stainless steel sculpture has now been placed in a private garden in the South of France.

In his search for a manufacturing partner, Ragazzoni went to Italy and approached several companies that were using traditional techniques, such as bronze casting or cut metal. However, these techniques did not fit with the artist’s vision as he searched for new innovative ways to produce his 4-meter tall steel sculpture. The final Tresse project has been fully 3D printed in stainless steel while the tips were polished and gold-plated in post-production.

With over 20.000 kg of metal 3D printed objects since 2014, MX3D brought large-scale robotic wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) and its market to life, enabling metal 3D printing to be more flexible, faster, and affordable. Now, the Dutch company is ready to transform the market further by launching the first dedicated robotic WAAM software enabling companies, engineers, and designers to print end-to-end large-scale 3D metal objects in-house.

“MX3D has the technique, new language, and open intelligence to understand this very complex mathematical but also emotional sculpture. Robots, programmed by qualified people, that close the gap between the pure thought and the creation of the object with absolute respect”, said Ricardo Regazzoni.

MX3D’s Robotic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technique allows higher form flexibility in shapes and textures and leads to significant material reduction. This process allows creating geometries with higher complexity than conventional manufacturing processes (such as CNC-milling, cast) and a higher speed and cost-efficiency compared to powder-based metal AM processes. By controlling the full WAAM workflow from CAD to print, MX3D’s technology has many benefits and allows you to go from idea to finished product in one go with MetalXL.

“To my surprise the 3D printing had a texture that gave a human quality to the piece, enhancing its shine and strength. The idea of this production method is that you move from idea to finished product in one go, magically through a machine that makes the interpretation directly”, added Ragazzoni, “It is not an old language, it is a contemporary one for art.”