Barcelona-based
BCN3D, a leading manufacturer of 3-D printing solutions, has secured a pivotal investment round to propel its growth in the light industrial additive manufacturing (AM) market. The funding aligns with BCN3D’s recent move to a ‘state of the art’ production facility, which is now fully operational after a successful ramp-up phase.
This announcement also celebrates the first anniversary of BCN3D’s flagship industrial FFF printer, the Omega I60, renowned for its capability to produce large, durable prototypes and end-use parts like tooling, jigs, and fixtures.
Xavi M Faneca, CEO of BCN3D, said: “This investment marks a bold commitment to our future and signals our readiness to take the lead in the light industrial market. Our new facility, located in a European technology hotspot, confirms our dedication to producing high-quality 3-D printers and provides our team with an environment primed for advanced quality production and continuous innovation.”
This investment, backed by established Spanish firms from traditional industrial sectors, reflects confidence in both BCN3D’s innovative technology and the dedicated team driving BCN3D forward. This announcement also coincides with the one-year anniversary of the BCN3D Omega I60, which is ideal for users looking to scale up from one-off models to consistent production parts, as well as for those manufacturers seeking to add a layer of light industrial 3-D printing to their armoury. The Omega I60 minimises long-term expenses and eliminates the hidden costs often associated with traditional industrial machines, particularly concerning maintenance contracts and the high costs of filaments and consumables.
During its first year, the BCN3D Omega I60 has been widely adopted by companies across key sectors worldwide, especially in the manufacturing and engineering industries. This adoption is focused on applications in tooling and functional prototyping, directly aligning with BCN3D’s go-to-market strategy for the Omega I60. This approach leverages the 3-D printer’s unique features — such as its heated chamber for processing technical materials, an advanced materials operation system for humidity control and spool recovery, and a large 60-litre 3-D print volume — to meet the specific demands of these applications and industries.
BCN3D highlights the success of clients like Wisconsin Precision Casting and Camper, whose use of the Omega I60 exemplifies the 3-D printer’s performance in action. Wisconsin Precision Casting is an investment casting foundry based in the USA that supplies low- to medium-volume castings to various sectors. The company integrated FFF 3-D printing technology into its operation in 2019 to complement the traditional lost wax casting process, particularly for low-quantity batches. Machining wax injection dies can take weeks and be cost-prohibitive for small orders.
Since adopting 3-D printing, the company now operate a fleet of nine FFF 3-D printers, including the Omega I60, to produce plastic patterns using 3-D printing casting filament to create moulds around them. The Omega I60 has proven extremely useful thanks to its capacity to print many parts in one go at speeds of up to 150mm/s, significantly reducing production times.
Camper, a renowned global footwear brand, is likewise benefitting from the Omega I60’s versatility and speed. By complementing its prototyping capability with the Omega I60, Camper has accelerated the design and launch process for new collections. With the ability to 3-D print in-house prototypes at speeds of up to 150mm/s with Omega Proto filament, Camper has improved both the quality and lead time of its prototypes, enabling its teams to iterate and refine designs rapidly and effectively.
BCN3D’s recent recalibration of its product line-up reflects a strategic response to customer feedback and evolving industry trends. The Epsilon Series is now dedicated to customers who need the flexibility to produce technical, one-off models, while the Omega I60 is designed for users transitioning from one-off prototypes to consistent production runs. It also seamlessly integrates into the workflows of established 3-D printing labs that are looking for agile solutions.
Pol Domenech, general manager of BCN3D, said: “Our ambitions have always been bold, but we recognise that a focused approach is essential to deliver outstanding results for our customers. By concentrating on light industrial AM, we can allocate resources where they drive the greatest impact. Supported by our new facility and recent investment, this strategic direction positions BCN3D to meet the evolving needs of the 3-D printing market and drive innovation forward.”
BCN3D will be exhibiting at
Formnext 2024, Europe’s leading additive manufacturing trade show, which is taking place 19-22 November (Stand 12.1-B120). The company will showcase its full product lineup, including customer applications and the new Omega Impact ABS material for the Omega I60, and visitors can request one-on-one demonstrations of the Omega I60 with BCN3D’s applications engineers.