Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi uncover how Renishaw is revolutionizing metal additive manufacturing with cutting-edge 3D printing solutions like the RenAM 500Q, driving innovation across aerospace, medical, and automotive industries while shaping the future of global manufacturing.
Renishaw plc, a global engineering technology company headquartered in the United Kingdom, has been at the forefront of precision measurement and healthcare solutions since its inception. Founded in 1973 by Sir David McMurtry and John Deer, the company has evolved into a leader in additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing. Renishaw’s commitment to innovation has led to significant advancements in metal AM, impacting various industries worldwide.
Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing Solutions
Renishaw offers a comprehensive portfolio of products for professional metal additive manufacturing, including machine systems, software, ancillaries, expert consultation, and training.
Their flagship system, the RenAM 500Q, is a multi-laser additive manufacturing machine designed for high productivity. It features four high-power 500 W lasers, each capable of accessing the entire powder bed surface simultaneously, resulting in significantly higher build rates and reduced cost per part.
In 2024, Renishaw had record sales of US$885,241,500 and employed about 5,235 people worldwide.
Renishaw at the Additive Manufacturing Strategies Conference 2025
Renishaw’s active participation in industry events underscores its commitment to advancing additive manufacturing technologies. The company was present at the Additive Manufacturing Strategies conference, taking place from February 4-6, 2025, in New York City. This event brought together AM stakeholders from around the world to discuss critical topics in the fast-growing field of additive manufacturing.
I was pleased to see Stewart Lane, Head of Business Development from Renishaw in the U.K., as a 2025 Additive conference speaker in New York on the Reshoring panel. He served on a panel of international cluster representatives who support 3D printing in their region of the world. Other representatives were on the panel from Berlin, Germany, Spain, and Singapore.
Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing Solutions
Renishaw offers a comprehensive portfolio of products for professional metal additive manufacturing, including machine systems, software, ancillaries, expert consultation, and training.
Their flagship system, the RenAM 500Q, is a multi-laser additive manufacturing machine designed for high productivity. It features four high-power 500 W lasers, each capable of accessing the entire powder bed surface simultaneously, resulting in significantly higher build rates and reduced cost per part.
Applications of Renishaw’s 3D Printing Technology
Renishaw’s metal 3D printing technology has been applied across various sectors, leading to the development of innovative products with enhanced performance and efficiency.
- Aerospace Industry: In the aerospace sector, Renishaw’s additive manufacturing solutions have been utilized to produce lightweight components with complex geometries that are difficult to achieve through traditional manufacturing methods. For instance, the company has collaborated with aerospace manufacturers to develop optimized brackets and structural components, resulting in weight reduction and improved fuel efficiency.
- Medical Sector: Renishaw has made significant strides in the medical field by producing patient-specific implants and surgical instruments. Their metal 3D printing technology enables the creation of customized cranial and maxillofacial implants tailored to individual patient anatomies, enhancing surgical outcomes and reducing recovery times.
- Automotive Industry: The automotive sector has benefited from Renishaw’s additive manufacturing capabilities through the production of high-performance components. For example, the company has been involved in the development of optimized engine parts and heat exchangers, contributing to improved vehicle performance and efficiency.
Renishaw’s Commitment to Innovation
Renishaw’s dedication to innovation is evident in its continuous development of advanced additive manufacturing solutions. The RenAM 500Q system exemplifies this commitment, offering manufacturers a high-productivity solution for metal 3D printing. By integrating multiple lasers and advanced process monitoring capabilities, the RenAM 500Q enhances build rates and ensures consistent part quality.
Furthermore, Renishaw provides comprehensive support to its customers, including expert consultation and training services. This holistic approach ensures that clients can effectively implement additive manufacturing technologies into their production processes, maximizing the benefits of 3D printing.
The table below illustrates Renishaw’s investments in research and development (R&D) over the past few years.
The Research & Development Tax Credit
The now permanent Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit is available for companies developing new or improved products, processes and/or software.
3D printing can help boost a company’s R&D Tax Credits. Wages for technical employees creating, testing and revising 3D printed prototypes are typically eligible expenses toward the R&D Tax Credit. Similarly, when used as a method of improving a process, time spent integrating 3D printing hardware and software can also be an eligible R&D expense. Lastly, when used for modeling and preproduction, the costs of filaments consumed during the development process may also be recovered.
Whether it is used for creating and testing prototypes or for final production, 3D printing is a great indicator that R&D Credit-eligible activities are taking place. Companies implementing this technology at any point should consider taking advantage of R&D Tax Credits.
Conclusion
Renishaw’s pioneering efforts in additive manufacturing have positioned the company as a leader in the field, driving innovation across multiple industries. Their advanced metal 3D printing solutions, exemplified by the RenAM 500Q system, have enabled the production of complex, high-performance components that were previously unattainable through traditional manufacturing methods. As the company continues to participate in industry events like the Additive Manufacturing Strategies conference, Renishaw remains at the forefront of the AM industry, shaping the future of manufacturing through continuous innovation and collaboration.
