Soliquid is the startup doing large-scale 3D printing in suspension

Soliquid is a French startup that has developed a unique 3D printing technology. Instead of depositing the material layer by layer on a tray, it extrudes it into a durable and reusable gel matrix using a 6-axis robot. The young company is offering a faster process that makes it possible to design complex parts, while saving material. Also, no printing support is necessary because it is the gel that holds the part whilst the material is being extruded. We met with one of the founders, Jim Rhoné, to learn more about this disruptive technology, how it works, its benefits and limitations.

3DN: Can you present yourself and your link with 3D printing?

Launched in Paris in 2018, Soliquid is a startup that specialises in additive manufacturing and develops a unique large-scale 3D printing process in suspension in a reusable and durable gel matrix. Amaury Thomas and myself are architects, we specialised in computational design and robotic manufacturing. The company Soliquid was founded together with Impulse Group – the objective was to broaden the field of 3D printing by proposing innovative logics and processes for the production of non-standard, tailor-made, complex and unsupported elements for multiple industries.

The founders of Soliquid, Jim Rhoné (on the left) and Amaury Thomas

3DN: Can you explain to us how your technology works?

Our patent pending large-scale suspension 3D printing technology differs from “layer by layer” 3D printing in that the printing material is deposited in a gel matrix rather than on the previous printing string.