Caracol

Based in Italy, Caracol is a developer of large format additive manufacturing (AM) solutions targeting the production of advanced industrial components. It also offers on-demand AM solutions. The patented platform named Heron AM consists of a robotized extrusion system, composite polymers, and a dedicated software solution. Caracol serves industries like aerospace, automotive, energy, and marine. 

The lightweight and compact extruder helps to maintain a high flow rate of polymers and composite materials while minimizing the risk of colliding with the printed parts. Heron AM platform comes with customizable options and can be integrated with the customer shopfloor. The software platform allows computational design and complex slicing to print complex geometries. Use of the robotic arm allows users to print in non-planar tool paths and create hollow structures. Caracol printers are compatible with materials like glass fiber, carbon fiber, flex elastomers, and various recyclable materials. 

In November 2024, Caracol launched Vipra AM, a robotic metal 3D printing platform for producing large-scale metal parts. The platform uses Direct Energy Deposition technology with wire arc additive manufacturing processes, integrated into a hardware, software, and automation turnkey system. Launched in two configurations: Vipra XQ, which focuses on high-quality components using Plasma Arc Deposition for superior strength and precision, and Vipra XP, which emphasizes productivity and cost minimization for complex large-scale metal projects. 

Key customers and partnerships

Caracol’s customers include Lamborghini, Persico, Stone Island, yamamay, Leonardo, Punch Group, Stellantis, and Safran.

The company has expanded its geographical presence via several partnerships including OVERMACH ADDITIVE to promote and distribute its platform in Italy (October 2022) and Multistation to distribute its 3D printing solutions in the French market (August 2023). In June 2024, the company partnered with Filament Innovations, a provider of pellet and filament 3D printers, and DIVE, a provider of applications for additive manufacturing, to offer its robotic LFAM solutions to the North American market.

In March 2024, Caracol announced a strategic partnership with Airtech Advanced Materials, a provider of vacuum bagging and composite tooling material, to integrate HERON AM with Airtech's Dahltram Resins.  In December 2024, Caracol partnered with Additive Engineering Solutions (AES), a turnkey LFAM services provider, to enable AES to execute projects such as composite tooling and full-scale engineering mockups using the Heron AM platform.