Key Takeaways
- Caracol, a large-format robotic OEM, is building an additive manufacturing (AM) hub in Milan with Designtech and LAMÁQUINA.
- The partnership aims to capitalize on Milan's expertise in design and innovation across industries like furniture, architecture, and construction.
- The AM hub will utilize Caracol's Heron extrusion system, which has a build volume of 300x300x600 mm and can produce parts with high precision and speed.
- The partnership's long-term goal is to expand into the broader Italian economy and connect with businesses globally.
Introduction to Additive Manufacturing in Italy
Italy has a unique strength in design and agile technological innovation, which is driving growth in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry. According to business theorist Michael Porter, Italy's success in fragmented industries and focused strategies is due to its unique attributes, such as a long history of aptitude in design. This is evident in the partnership between Caracol, Designtech, and LAMÁQUINA to build a large-format AM hub in Milan.
Partnership and Technology
The partnership brings together three creative counterparts: Caracol, a manufacturer of extrusion systems; Designtech, a Milan-based business incubator firm; and LAMÁQUINA, a design consultancy and AM services provider. The AM hub will utilize Caracol's Heron extrusion system, which has a build volume of 300x300x600 mm and can produce parts with high precision and speed. The Heron system has a maximum printing speed of 500 mm/s and a layer resolution of 0.1 mm.
Comparison of Additive Manufacturing Technologies
| Technology | Build Volume | Printing Speed | Layer Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caracol Heron | 300x300x600 mm | 500 mm/s | 0.1 mm |
| Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | 200x200x200 mm | 300 mm/s | 0.2 mm |
| Stereolithography (SLA) | 150x150x200 mm | 100 mm/s | 0.01 mm |
Expansion and Growth
The partnership's long-term goal is to expand into the broader Italian economy and connect with businesses globally. With foreign direct investment in Italy rising, the partnership could become a springboard for connecting with businesses in many other countries. The AM hub in Milan is expected to create new opportunities for innovation and growth in the Italian economy.
Bottom Line
The partnership between Caracol, Designtech, and LAMÁQUINA to build a large-format AM hub in Milan is a significant development in the Italian additive manufacturing industry. With its unique strength in design and agile technological innovation, Italy is well-positioned to drive growth in the AM industry. The AM hub will utilize Caracol's Heron extrusion system, which has a build volume of 300x300x600 mm and can produce parts with high precision and speed. As the partnership expands into the broader Italian economy and connects with businesses globally, it is expected to create new opportunities for innovation and growth.