UK-based Rapid Fusion, a sister company of 3D printing hardware supplier EVO 3D, has unveiled its new large-format 3D printing technology, Apollo. With an investment of over £500,000, the system is aimed at the rapid production of large components and moulds for the automotive, aerospace and furniture industries.
Apollo combines pellet extrusion, a bespoke control system and a Kuka robotic arm to produce parts in a build volume of 2 x 3 x 3 metres. The system utilises the PE320 pellet extruder and promises print speeds that the manufacturer claims are up to 200 times faster than conventional FDM printers.
A key advantage of the Apollo system is the use of pellets as the starting material. Rapid Fusion claims that these are 65% to 90% cheaper than filaments. The system also supports the processing of hundreds of different engineering polymers, enabling a wide variety of materials.
With a retail price of £250,000, Rapid Fusion anticipates sales of over £4 million in the first year. International distribution agreements are already in place with CNC World in the UK, Hyperion in Australia, Maptec in Dubai and ACCUFACTURE in the USA.
At the same time, the company is pressing ahead with the development of the Evo 1, a large-format gantry-style 3D printer. This project is being funded with £1.1 million from Innovate UK and is being carried out in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, Baker Hughes and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.
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