3D startup of the month: MarkForged, making waves in additive metal manufacturing

Each month we present the 3D startup of the month, choosing startups that are revolutionizing the 3D printing industry in their own way. For this month’s startup of the month, we met with MarkForged’s CEO Greg Mark to learn more about their newest 3D metal printer. After introducing us to a 3D printer that is capable of producing parts from carbon, MarkForged has now launched the Metal X, a machine that is helping change the industry on additive metal manufacturing, at a price below market standards.

3DN : Can you introduce us to MarkForged and explain to us how MarkForged began?

At MarkForged, we have designed the first and only 3D printer today that integrates both fiber and plastic together into a product that can be printed; giving a final composite part that is made of solid metal. What makes our 3D printer so unique is its patented Continuous Fiber Filament (CFF) technology that works with the MarkForged Eiger software. It automatically creates a fiberglass model (i.e. carbon, fiber, nylon, glass, Kevlar..) to guarantee an optimal solidity of the final piece. This allows you to print solid tools and custom made parts that have a complex design, which would be very difficult to manufacture otherwise.

Greg Mark, CEO of MarkForge

Before founding MarkForged, I was an aerospace engineer who specialized in racing technologies. I was therefore able to work very closely with the prototyping, the parts creation process, and especially on the components that are take time to fabricate.

I created MarkForged with the desire to encourage other engineers to print solid, high quality 3D parts using 3D technologies. This would thus enable them to go directly from design to the desired result. Before the creation of MarkForged, 3D printing technologies were mainly made for prototyping, modeling and toys. Our mission has always been to revolutionize manufacturing: we replace long and expensive machining and manual manufacturing by 3D printing the solid parts.

3DN : Why move from carbon to metal?

The Metal X by MarkForge

Carbon fiber is the lightest and strongest material that can create a variety of complex geometry pieces. But, if you need high temperatures, for example an engine component or wear parts, then you will need a metal.

The Metal X is the first 3D metal printer that is priced reasonably, in comparison to other CNC machines. At $99,500 USD (about £79,400), it is 1/5 or even 1/10 of the price of traditional metal printers. The Metal X is the first high-grade stainless steel (at 17-4 and 303) with tool steel and other metals currently being developed.