Another day, another significant additive manufacturing investment.
This week, Netherlands-based MX3D announced a €2.25 million raise. The funding is set to bring the company’s intriguing metal 3D printing capabilities to commercial launch.
MX3D
MX3D itself is perhaps best-known for its impressive 3D printed stainless steel footbridge. The project garnered great international attention, as one of the first to actually be planned for real-world installation. Construction 3D printing is filled with a variety of players, and MX3D set itself apart with the bridge project. If that didn’t put WAAM (wire arc additive manufacturing) technology on the map with an actual bridge in Amsterdam, I’m not sure what would.
Naturally, it’s not all about bridges, though. WAAM has a good many applications. MX3D is also looking, for example, at the oil and gas, maritime, and tooling industries.
We’ve been keeping up with the goings-on at MX3D over the years, including intriguing work involving a robotic arm.
The company explains of its technology:
“MX3D’s software and control system, MetalXL, turns existing welding robots into an industrial metal AM system and allows users to manage the whole process from design to print in one go. Since its first investment, MX3D has successfully introduced MetalXL with a large group of launching customers. The current investment will be used for the commercial rollout.”
MX3D Investment
That brings us handily back to the investment news. The multimillion-euro funding comes from DOEN Participaties, PDENH, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
DOEN has been targeting impactful investments and describes itself now as the “largest impact investor in sustainable and social start-ups in the Netherlands.” Investing in MX3D highlights the sustainable aspects of what large-format metal 3D printing can offer.
“DOEN Participates has supported MX3D for a long time and with this new investment we show that we have a lot of faith in the new M1 metal AM System and the future of MX3D. The innovative MX3D solution enables companies to improve their production methods and significantly reduce the need for transport and material. This can have a significant positive impact towards a more sustainable future,” Merijn ten Thije, Impact Investment Manager at DOEN Participaties, said.
For its part, PDENH targets investment into companies working toward advances in energy, sustainable mobility, and the circular economy.
“We strongly believe in the technological lead and worldwide potential of MX3D and gladly help to realize the growth plans of the ambitious MX3D team,” said Joost de Waard, Investment Manager for PDENH.
MX3D WAAM Moving Forward
Funding obviously helps companies to advance their technologies. That’s certainly the goal here. In addition to moving the MetalXL system toward commercial availability, MX3D explains:
“The funds will be used to launch the M1, a complete robotic metal AM system, including a welding robot, software and control system to 3D print metal parts.”
The company’s CEO, Gijs van der Velden, elaborates:
“Our MetalXL Software and Control System enables companies to turn their welding robot into a high end 3D metal printer, in the course of one day. Since the launch of MetalXL we have received many customer requests whether we could supply them with a complete solution. The M1 metal AM System is the answer to this call. Now customers without a welding robot can quickly and affordably start printing large metal parts.”
MetalXL will see further development as it moves forward. The system currently connects robots, power sources, and sensors from several brands.
“Our goal is to connect several more robot brands, which allows us to service more than 80 percent of the world wide robotic market,” Van der Velden notes.
Via MX3D
