The metal additive manufacturing market has been booming for some years now. A number of processes and materials fall under the umbrella, not the least binder jetting, which is becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of industries. Among the many players now present in this segment is the Toulouse-based start-up Addimetal. It has developed its own 3D printer, christened K2-2. The goal? To offer a high-performance machine that is accessible and easy to use, in the spirit of “plug&play.” Addimetal aims to offer a repeatable, reliable manufacturing process, targeting as many users as possible. We caught up with co-founder and CEO Mohamad Koubar to find out more about this innovative start-up!
3DN: Could you introduce yourself and your connection with additive manufacturing?
Mohamad Koubar
Hello, my name is Mohamad and I’m a mechanical engineer who graduated from Supmicrotech ENSMM. I began my career in the automotive and aerospace industries, before specializing in the design of FDM additive manufacturing machines in a design office, where I worked for five years.
It was here that my passion for additive manufacturing really took off. I saw immense potential in the technology, but was frustrated by its limited use for polymers and prototyping. This frustration was the trigger: I wanted to go further and explore the possibilities offered by metallic materials. This ambition marked the birth of Addimetal.
3DN: How did the idea for Addimetal come about?
Addimetal is the fruit of a vision and a series of observations. On the one hand, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and on the other, I was convinced that metal additive manufacturing could go far beyond its current uses. When I launched the project, I chose not to lock myself into any particular technology.
My objective was clear: to design a machine dedicated to industry, capable of meeting the most demanding requirements. Metal binder jetting quickly became the obvious choice. Although this technology presents considerable technical challenges, that’s also what makes it so exciting.
Four years later, with the K2-2, we’ve taken on an immense challenge: to design a high-performance, competitive machine, while keeping in mind that there are still key steps to be taken to make this technology totally “plug & play.” In short, as Mark Twain so aptly put it, “They did not know it was impossible so they did it.”
3DN: What are the special features of your K2-2 machine? Why is it so innovative?
The K2-2 stands out in several major respects:
- Technological Openness: Unlike most solutions on the market, our machine is totally open, both in terms of materials and binders. This flexibility is crucial, as it enables users to push back the boundaries of binder jetting, particularly in demanding R&D or industrial projects.
- Industrial Performance: Although designed for research and development, the K2-2 also excels in an industrial context. It combines speed, precision and optimized work volume, meeting the expectations of the most demanding sectors.
- Ergonomics and Practicality: We designed the machine to be easy to use: it passes easily through standard doors (which is far from anecdotal); removal of the job boxes and cleaning of the printing surface are simplified; and the software suite offers advanced tools, such as management of settings by part or group of parts, making the process much more intuitive.
- The K2-2 isn’t just a machine: it is a versatile, high-performance technology platform designed to meet the industry’s current and future needs.
The K2-2 3D printer
3DN: What are the challenges inherent in binder jetting that Addimetal intends to solve?
Metal binder jetting is still a young technology, with challenges to be met on several fronts. We have focused our efforts on three priority areas:
- Repeatability: ensure consistent part quality, whatever the batch or production conditions.
- Reliability: reduce process hazards to deliver a smooth, controlled user experience.
- Ease of Use: anticipate and manage the constraints associated with sintering, a key stage in the process, by developing tools that simplify part preparation and monitoring.
With the K2-2, we’ve laid a solid foundation. Our aim now is to transform binder netting into a genuine production technology, at the same level of maturity as other additive processes.
Example of a 3D printed part by Addimetal
3DN: Can you tell us more about Orion, your software solution?
Orion is much more than just software: it is the technological heart of our machine. We made the strategic choice of integrating in-house the design and control of all K2-2 components (with the exception of the printhead). This approach enables us to offer a perfectly harmonized and optimized solution. Orion combines several functionalities:
- Advanced slicing with fine parameter customization, right down to part level.
- An ergonomic interface designed to simplify handling and enable the user to exploit the full potential of binder jetting.
- Production monitoring and reporting, essential for industries requiring qualified and traceable processes.
Orion is a powerful tool that supports the user from preparation to post-production analysis, while remaining easy to use.
3DN: What are Addimetal’s future projects?
In the short term, our priority is to continue perfecting the K2-2 and its software suite. We are also working on the qualification of new materials, a key area for expanding the uses of binder jetting. We have several projects in the pipeline, including strategic partnerships, but it’s still too early to talk about them. What I can guarantee is that we are preparing innovations that I hope will make a big splash at the next Formnext.
Example of a 3D printed part by Addimetal
3DN: Any last words for our speakers
Metal additive manufacturing is a strategic sector, and as France’s leading manufacturer of metal binder jetting machines, we are committed to playing an active part in this industrial sovereignty.
If you have ambitious projects in metal additive manufacturing, don’t hesitate to contact us. ADDIMETAL is a young, open and dynamic company, ready to take on any challenge alongside its partners. We look forward to hearing from you!
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*All Photo Credits: Addimetal