WASP: how making the World a better place also makes better 3D printers

The name, which means “wasp” in English and is also an acronym for World’s Advanced Saving Project, is no misdirection: WASP is truly a company of dreamers. It was founded with the utopian vision of making the world a better place through additive manufacturing. However, WASP’s connection to the Earth extends beyond its BigDelta project for 3D-printed housing. The company itself is a brilliant example of Italian craftsmanship applied to 3D printers. What WASP, founded by Massimo Moretti, lacks in terms of industrialization and mass production processes, it makes up for with dedication and attention to detail.

A sustainable dream born of passion

There’s an even more “romantic” aspect that ties WASP closer to the Earth: the life passion of Massimo Moretti’s wife, Barbara Pozzi, has been transformed into a sustainable business. Her company, Olfattiva, produces natural essential oils and cosmetics. It operates right next to the WASP assembly line, and despite seeming like an unlikely pairing, the two initiatives are closely intertwined.

Since Moretti decided to fund his dream by producing 3D printers—starting with the PowerWASP (a combined 3D printer and CNC machine) and later the DeltaWASP line—he and his team have handled manufacturing, assembly, marketing, and sales in one large workspace. Adjacent to this is Moretti’s open office. As the company has grown, now producing and selling 40 assembled systems each month, they’ve expanded into nearby buildings, which include two large warehouses and a dedicated research, development, and testing space.

Building bigger to dream bigger

WASP is making room for bigger projects—literally. Moretti is now more determined than ever to build a 12-meter Delta printer to surpass the 8-meter version showcased at the Maker Faire in Rome. (The printer was reduced to 6 meters to fit the exhibition stand.) This ambitious project is no small feat. While the 8-meter printer could still be managed by people, a 12-meter system capable of creating livable structures up to 8-10 meters tall requires scaffolding and heavy machinery.

WASP is not just addressing global housing issues; the company is also pioneering solutions alongside visionaries like Koshnevis and Dini from D-Shape. Recently, WASP formed a partnership with Israeli startup Tridom to collaborate on synergies for this shared goal. Moreover, tackling the challenges of building a massive machine helps WASP engineers refine their “regular-sized” machines, improving quality and efficiency.

Currently, WASP manufactures and sells the DeltaWASP 20×40 (priced at €2,370), the DeltaWASP 40×70 (priced at €5,500), and the DeltaWASP 60×100 (built to order). They also offer a Delta Open DIY kit for €840. WASP has consistently improved print quality since winning the environmental sustainability award at the 2013 London 3D Printshow. Their printers now achieve vertical surfaces with near-smooth finishes at 200-micron layers, while 100-micron layers approach perfection.

From wasp nests to 3D printing innovation

Nicola Schiavarelli, the team member responsible for communication and community relations (all team members have “dreamer” on their business cards), shared the company’s history during a factory tour. The truth is, everything started with a wasp—or, more specifically, a wasp nest. Moretti studied nests made from wood fibers and saliva by European wasps and clay and saliva by Brazilian mud wasps. Inspired, he decided to use local resources to build livable structures. Already working in prototyping, he realized that a 3D printer would be the ideal tool, leading to the development of the PowerWASP based on a Cartesian architecture. Later, when Delta-style systems emerged online, Moretti and his team recognized their scalability and suitability for constructing large, livable objects.

The WASP warehouse is full of experiments, many directly connected to 3D printing. Using the same clay extrusion system, they’ve conducted tests with ceramics (even producing busts) and various pasty materials, including food items like chocolate and bio-gels for laboratory experiments. This ongoing experimentation with new materials is paving the way for WASP to open part of its factory as a makerspace or FabLab. Equipped with tools like a large laser cutter, they aim to combine their innovative thinking with fresh perspectives.

Craftsmanship: WASP’s greatest strength and challenge

Like many small Italian companies, WASP’s greatest strength—its craftsmanship and attention to detail—is also its biggest challenge. While this artisanal approach ensures high quality, it’s less compatible with the industrialization and scalability needed for rapid growth. The team’s resources are largely dedicated to day-to-day operations, leaving little time to focus on expansion and future projects. However, the scalability that matters most—both in terms of machine size and quality—is precisely what WASP’s customers value.

In the nearby Motor Valley, other companies have found global success by embracing a similar approach. With WASP’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and improving lives, it seems poised to follow in their footsteps, proving that sometimes, the biggest dreams start with the smallest creatures.