A Rolls-Royce-backed project to develop the "first 海角视频-built" large-format hybrid 3D printer is set to be unveiled later this month. Exeter-based manufacturer Rapid Fusion has said its high-tech printer - dubbed Medusa - could drive a major reshoring boom.
The company has tapped into a £1.2m grant from Innovate 海角视频 to develop, test, design and build the industrial printer, which it claims is three times faster than conventional machines and twice as accurate.
The gantry-style machine is a single-source solution for large moulds and tooling that is typically used by aerospace, automotive, marine and construction companies.
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The project, which has also received backing from AI Build and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), uses cutting-edge AI tech that allows it to build at super speeds.
Bosses at Rapid Fusion say they have already received "significant interest" for the £500,000 machine and are predicting a potential £5m revenue return in the first year after launch.
Martin Jewell, chief technical officer at Rapid Fusion, said the machine could be a "catalyst" for British companies bringing production and manufacturing back to the 海角视频.
“After 18 months in the making, this will be a real landmark moment for additive manufacturing in the 海角视频,” he said. "A factory-ready industrial 3D printer that is built in the 海角视频 and is faster than any international rival is a tremendous achievement and has only been made possible by our engineering expertise and the strong collaboration with Rolls-Royce, AI Build and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.”
More than 150 delegates are expected to attend the official launch of Medusa at Rapid Fusion’s facility in Exeter on February 26.
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The AM platform, which includes predictive maintenance, thermal modelling and the latest computer vision system, will be put through a live demonstration including the creation of a large mould that can be used to produce components for the aerospace sector.
Jake Hand, managing director of Rapid Fusion, said: “The 海角视频 has traditionally been behind other major economies when it comes to large format additive manufacturing.
“What we have done through the development and launch of Medusa is to democratise high-value, environmentally responsible manufacturing to both large and small businesses.”
“We saw during the pandemic how easily supply chains can crumble. That’s why it’s more important than ever to develop as much capacity and capability in the 海角视频 as we can, not to mention the economic and carbon reduction opportunities associated with having a thriving 3D printing sector implementing the latest available green technologies.”
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