#3DStartup: VENOX Systems Focuses on Durability With Its 5-axis 3D Printer

Based in Lingenau, western Austria, start-up VENOX Systems has come up with a 5-axis 3D printer capable of printing a wide range of thermoplastics, including continuous fibers. Its special feature is a head-changing system that gives access to several tools for different manufacturing options. In developing this machine, the startup aims to meet strength challenges in additive manufacturing. Indeed, it would be capable of depositing fibers – carbon, glass, aramid – along the part’s load path, thus offering a very interesting weight-to-strength ratio for many industries. We met the co-founder of this young Austrian company, Nicolai Wampl, to find out more about this printing process and its possible applications.

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

My name is Nicolai Wampl and I’m co-founder of VENOX Systems. My journey with additive manufacturing began when I met the other co-founders of VENOX. They had developed a 3D printing system capable of printing with thermoplastic materials and continuous fibers. After overcoming the initial challenges, we sought financial support to bring our technology to an industrial level. Obtaining funding under an Austrian program marked a decisive turning point for our company.

The VENOX Systems team

3DN: How did the idea for VENOX Systems come about?

A few years ago, when industrial 3D printing was starting to go mainstream, we took a look at the obstacles preventing 3D printing from competing with traditional manufacturing. We identified three major problems with FDM/FFF technology: part strength, manufacturing speed and surface quality. We set out to solve the first problem: strength.