Freemelt

Freemelt is a Sweden-based company specializing in metal 3D-printing technology, particularly electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB). The company's flagship printing systems include: 1) Freemelt ONE, a research-oriented 3D printer designed for materials R&D, 2) e–MELT-iD, a metal 3D printer, and 3) e¯MELT-iM, an industrial-scale metal 3D printer for mass production. Freemelt's technology stands out for its use of an electron beam that can move at speeds of up to 4,000 m per second, which the company claims is significantly faster than traditional laser-based systems. Notably, Freemelt’s eMELT system also features a four-chamber layout that allows for parallel production of four products to allow for enhanced productivity.

In May 2022, Freemelt introduced Pixelmelt, a software solution that optimizes the melting process by allowing users to melt powder material in free spot patterns rather than along parallel lines. The company has made the software available in open source, allowing users to inspect, validate, alter, and develop the software code themselves. 

In September 2024, Freemelt established its first North American E-PBF application center in partnership with HAMR Industries, a manufacturing and technology company specializing in advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. The application center supports projects, feasibility studies, and engineering support in the material process and application development, facilitating the transition from AM research to serial production. 

Key customers and partnerships

Freemelt has established a strong presence in the academic and research sectors. The company's customer base includes several prestigious universities and research institutions. Notable customers include Texas A&M University, University of Michigan, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Sheffield. 

Freemelt has also been expanding its partnerships to strengthen the company’s market presence. In February 2024, the company entered a strategic collaboration with Weaream, an Italian additive manufacturing service provider, to use Freemelt's eMELT machines for serial production. 

In June 2024, Freemelt AB, Sandvik, and Mid Sweden University announced a three-party collaboration with an objective to accelerate the industrialization of additive manufacturing and the E-PBF technology.

In July 2024, Freemelt-Americas, Inc. joined the Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium to drive the development of new types of manufacturing technology and accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing in North America. During the same month, the company also entered a strategic collaboration with 3DMZ, a technology and innovation hub, with the aim of advancing the development of additive manufacturing technology for serial production of industrial applications via eMELT.