Rapid Fusion

Rapid Fusion is a UK-based company that was spun out of Evo 3D, which specializes in large-format additive manufacturing technology. Launched in September 2024, the company's flagship product, Apollo, is a robotic 3D-printing system designed for producing large components and molds for manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, and furniture industries. Apollo uses pellet extrusion printing, including the PE320 Pellet Extruder, a specialized control system, and a Kuka robotic arm to allow users to print parts within a 2 m x 3 m x 3 m build volume. 

The company claims the system is capable of handling hundreds of engineering-grade polymers and achieving extrusion rates of up to 17 kg per hour at temperatures of up to 450°C. As of September 2024, Rapid Fusion anticipated over GBP 4 million in first-year sales for the Apollo system. 

In addition to its printer, the company also offers an additive upgrade kit, which contains a pellet extruder that can be added to a robot or gantry CNC system to provide additive capabilities. Moreover, it also offers a no-code AM platform called AIBuild that enables users to simulate builds and streamline toolpath generation and collision avoidance. 

The company has established a research and demonstration center at Skypark in Exeter, which is set to open in October 2024. The company is also involved in an Innovate UK-backed project that could lead to the launch of a new system called Evo 1. 

Key customers and partnerships

As of September 2024, the company has entered into international reseller agreements with CNC World in the UK, Hyperion in Australia, Maptec in Dubai, and ACCUFACTURE in the US.