Press release – September 23, 2024
AMFREE sales high-productivity metal 3D printers, designed for the simple production and repair of large metal parts (steel, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, etc.). They enable shorted lead-time production, while preserving natural resources and energy. These hybrid machines (additive manufacturing, machining, inspection) are designed for use by manufacturers (energy, aerospace, defense, industry, railways) and maintenance companies to ensure the competitive production of high-quality, high value-added parts.
Today, the challenge is to manufacture large titanium parts using additive manufacturing, because conventional methods are complex, costly and polluting, and expose manufacturers to geopolitical risks. To transform uses, satisfy the increase in demand and strengthen industrial sovereignty, and in the absence of any supply, it would seem necessary for a French manufacturer to emerge.
Against this backdrop, AMFREE has submitted an i-Lab project aimed at developing a new generation of large-scale additive manufacturing machines, with an innovative approach using AI and dynamic energy management, to best adapt to the specific conditions of titanium deposition and to meet the industrial challenges of quality, productivity and robustness.
The i-Lab section of the French government’s innovation competition aims to capitalize on the results of research and industrialize strategic innovative technologies. Operated by Bpifrance, this competition finances the best R&D projects to finalize technological products, processes and services, through the allocation of significant financial aid of up to €600K per project and tailored support. i-Lab is also a quality label unanimously recognized by deeptech investors.
For the 2024 competition, the panel of experts selected 74 winners, including AMFREE, from 440 entries. As the 2024 winner, AMFREE is now under the banner of acceleration in favors of sovereignty, congratulated and honored by the Government. AMFREE’s project will benefit from active support from the French government in the form of a substantial grant to develop its new ‘French Additive Solutions of Excellence for Titanium’.
Aimed at industrial manufacturers and users of large titanium parts, these new machines will help to accelerate the decarbonization of the titanium industry and strengthen industrial sovereignty in this strategic sector, with the ambition of becoming the European leader in this field.
AMFREE has also been awarded the status of ‘Young Innovative Company’, and benefits from active support from Bpifrance and the Grand Est Region to support and accelerate its international development.
i-Lab 2024 prize-winners:
