Dutch 3D printing post-processing and automation companyam-flowhas announced that it has raised $4 million in Series A funding.
投资由Bom Brabant Venturesand supported byMaterialise，，，，Midwest PrototypingandInnovatiefonds Noord-Holland，，，，as well as return investorsMiller Turneranddoen参与者s。am-flowplans to use the additional funding to build on its suite of AI-based robotics solutions, bring its technologies to new markets and provide a “step-change” in 3D printing automation.
“We are delighted to welcome our new investors, and I would like to thank our existing shareholders for their continued support,” said Stefan Rink, CEO of AM-Flow. “This strong syndicate of high-tech investors validates our approach, and the funding enables us to expand our solution portfolio and market presence.”
am-flow’s 3D printing automation technology
Am-Flow成立于2018年，在阿姆斯特丹和Eindhoven的荷兰城市拥有基地，从中提供3D打印后处理和工厂自动化服务。通过其AI驱动技术的投资组合，该公司旨在允许3D打印“实现其全部潜力”，并通过常规制造流程变得具有成本竞争力。
AM-Flow提供添加剂基本的组合ring hardware and MES software products, through which it aims to provide clients with an “end-to-end” automated production line. At present, the firm’s lineup includes AM-VISION shape recognition software, AM-SORT conveyor belt hardware and AM-EXPERT support, amongst various other services.
Leveraging its expertise in advanced 3D shape identification, machine vision and artificial intelligence technologies, the company has sought to expand the application of its services in recent years. 3D printing services providerOceanz例如，宣布与Am-Flow建立合作伙伴关系，以开发一系列fully-automated AM production linesin March 2020.
Implementing AM-Flow’s AI-driven software allowed Oceanz to automate a number of post-processing steps, and cut back on the time it spent on the analogue manual process. Now, having gained the backing of several established 3D printing firms and investors, AM-Flow is seeking to grow its share within international markets outside of its native Netherlands.
Industry 4.0 and AM-Flow
According to AM-Flow, optimizing 3D printing production lines is extremely challenging, as they need to be able to process parts with an almost unlimited number of possible geometries. Object identification, sorting, quality control, handling, transportation and packaging all need to be taken into account, and that’s why the firm offers its modular, machine learning tools.
The potential cost and efficiency savings of AM-Flow’s automation services has led serial investors such as BOM Brabant, and 3D printing software firm Materialise, to invest in their future development.
“扩展添加剂制造不仅取决于持续的创新，而且还取决于我们是否能够以具有成本效益的方式处理各种各样的印刷组件，” Materalize的CTO Bart Van der Schueren说。“这就是为什么我们对Am-Flow的产品组合感到兴奋的原因，这为处理过程的成本效率扩展而创造了一条途径”。
am-flowplans to use its newly-acquired funding to build on its current offering of AI-based robotics, and increase the speed of the 3D printing manufacturing process for its clients. Given the supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm also believes that now is the ideal time for companies to embrace localized production.
In order to make on-demand manufacturing work for their businesses, AM-Flow’s potential customers will need to keep their labor costs down, while limiting offshoring at any opportunity. AM-Flow has stated that the best way for manufacturers to achieve this, and optimize their overall workflow, is through full end-to-end automation of the production process.
It’s on this basis that the company offers its computer vision-based robotics solutions, and leveraging its new funding, it intends to expand their reach into new markets. AM-Flow also has grander ambitions to play its part in the introduction of industry 4.0, and views its expansion as a step towards “lights-out” fully-automated factories of the future.
Brabant Development Agency（BOM）高级投资经理Ilse Massart补充说：“ AM-Flow在建立添加剂制造生态系统中起着重要作用。”“我们很高兴能够为AM-Flow雄心勃勃的增长计划做出贡献，并协助管理团队进行国际扩张。”
End-to-end automation and 3D printing
自动化3D打印过程被行业内部的许多人视为使其成为传统制造技术的具有成本效益的替代品至关重要的。结果，近年来，许多软件公司开发了高级分析计划，这些计划从头到尾都提供了全面管理生产工作流程。
Sintavia与之合作Siemens Digital Industries Softwareto develop anend-to-end additive manufacturing softwaresolution as part of Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio. The three-year agreement signed by the firms will see Sintavia provide Siemens with testing and technical feedback on a beta version of the program.
德国3D打印机OEMEOSadopted UK software companyAMFG’sMES program to改善流和连通性在2019年11月的机器之间。AMFG的Plaform在操作过程中为EOS提供了直接的机器控制，并启用了其3D打印机的端到端工作流程自动化。
工作流软件开发人员Authentise同时，与Addiguru，原位过程监控系统的开发人员，推进其专有AMES计划。The duo aim to integrate computer vision and AI-based monitoring functionality into the software, allowing for real-time intervention within the production process.
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Featured image shows a selection of 3D printed parts undergoing shape identification via AM-Flow’s AM-VISION software. Photo via AM-Flow.
