Printers

#3DStartup: AMFREE Overcomes the Constraints of XXL Metal 3D Printing

While metal additive manufacturing seems to be ever-expanding, the market still faces a number of challenges, particularly when it comes to producing and repairing large-format parts. The solutions available on the market are often unreliable, and the parts produced are…

AMFREE
3Dnatives

While metal additive manufacturing seems to be ever-expanding, the market still faces a number of challenges, particularly when it comes to producing and repairing large-format parts. The solutions available on the market are often unreliable, and the parts produced are either not compliant to regulations or too expensive. It is against this backdrop that French start-up AMFREE was born: it develops turnkey, pre-qualified XXL metal 3D printing hybrid solutions to facilitate the operator’s work and guarantee quality results. In particular, it relies on artificial intelligence to correct errors and learn from potential printing problems. We had the opportunity to meet Nicolas Villedary, the company’s Managing Director, to find out more about the technology used, the sectors targeted and the future plans of this ambitious start-up.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and your connection to additive manufacturing?

Hello, my name is Nicolas Villedary and I’m the Managing Director of AMFREE, a company that markets metal 3D printers for the simple production and repair of large parts (up to 5 meters). These machines are distributed as turnkey, pre-qualified packages (machine, software, associated services), guaranteeing high quality production and ease of use.

The AMFREE and IREPA LASER teams stand next to a 3D-printed XXL metal part

3DN: What is AMFREE? How did it come about?

Founded in August 2023 and based in Illkirch-Graffenstaden (Alsace, Bas-Rhin), AMFREE is a deep-tech startup that seeks to make metal additive manufacturing of large parts faster and more accessible. The technology was born in 2019 in the Alsatian CRT (Centre de Ressource Technologique) IREPA LASER. A pilot range has been set up and is already being used to qualify and produce industrial parts. At the same time, AMFREE has continued its R&D developments to develop new functionalities (3D scanning, machining, process control, intelligent sensors, etc.), the AI of its machines and its digital and service infrastructure.