Zurich – a-metal launches a pilot project for SMEs. The start-up’s innovative 3D metal printing system enables the production of small components on site. The project for medium-sized companies and laboratories is limited to six months.
a-metal, a start-up in the field of 3D metal printing based in Technopark Zurich, is launching a pilot project for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to a press release, the project is scheduled to run for six months. To this end, a-metal has developed a new system that can produce tools and components in a small space using the laser powder bed fusion process in 3D printing.
The advantage of the system developed by a-metal is that it is 75 percent smaller than conventional devices and can be operated much more safely and easily thanks to a powder cartridge system. The technology can be used in medical and dental technology as well as in aircraft and tool construction and in the automotive industry.
In the pilot project, ten systems are being implemented at users' premises. At the same time, a-metal takes over the continuous maintenance of the systems and the training of the operating personnel. According to the press release, eight places have already been allocated. Two applicants can still apply to a-metal to take part in the pilot project. The costs for the pilot system, the material flat rate and support from the development team during the pilot program amount to CHF 50,000. Following the project, the system remains the property of the pilot customer.
a-metal is a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. The start-up has received funding of CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick and has won the Swiss Startup Challenge, the InnoBooster from Gebert Rüf Stiftung and the BRIDGE Proof of Concept from the Swiss National Science Foundation and Innosuisse, among others. ce/ww