商业

访谈:3D打印的数字复合启动企业强化进一步筹集了1000万美元

Fortify是一家专门从事数字复合制造(DCM)的3D打印初创公司,已在美国风险投资公司(American Venture Capital企业)筹集了1000万美元Accel。Added to250万美元的种子资金raised in January, the company has now raised a total of $12.5 million this year.

Joining this Series A investment round were Neotribe, Prelude Ventures, and Mainspring Capital Partners. Speaking with Fortify VP of Applications and Co-Founder Karlo Delos Reyes, 3D Printing Industry discovers how the company is planning to invest the money into its operations, leading towards a beta machine launch in early 2020.

“We’ve achieved so much since our founding, and we’re eager to expand on our platform capabilities,” stated Josh Martin, the company’s CEO, in an official press release. “With the support of our investors, we will focus on innovation, bring our technology to new partners, and grow our product offerings.”

建立数字复合制造生态系统

Fortify成立于2016年,总部位于马萨诸塞州的波士顿,并已获得了一种复合3D印刷的方法,该印刷名称Fluxprint,该公司为此赢得2018 FormNext启动挑战

Group photo of the Fortify team in Boston. Photo via Fortify
Group photo of the Fortify team in Boston. Photo via Fortify

使用磁铁,通量工艺精确地对齐液体内的复合纤维,以在末端部分调节所需的机械性能。光纤对齐由公司的信息纤维优化软件中的用户确定。Reyes解释说:“像所有AM技术一样,我们的客户将采用“ DCM的设计”组件来获得全部收益。”连续的层是使用​​基于数字灯处理(DLP)方法的通量构建的。

Developing beyond the technology, Fortify will be using some of the recently raised funds to launch a Discovery Partner Program, giving select companies early access to DCM powered by Fluxprint. Indicating some of these potential clients, Reyes tells us, “We currently have great traction printing injection mold tools and are exploring other high performance tooling applications.” He also says that the company is exploring the application of DCM to produce high performance “moderate sized” end use parts such as electrical connectors, pump impellers, and other rotating components, adding “We plan to balance our beta units between these 2 classes of use cases.”

Broadly, Reyes explains that the funding will also be used to “to build out our team.” “We are looking forward to exploring and developing new, cutting-edge fiber-reinforced materials,” he adds, “and will work with our partners to discover applications where traditional additive has fallen short.”

强化DCM制造的制动杆。通过Fortify的照片
强化DCM制造的制动杆。通过Fortify的照片

Fortify Beta launch 2020

At present, Fortify is looking to launch a Beta DCM system in 2020, with general availability scheduled to start in 2021. It is still exploring different options for its business model and has not yet decided whether the system will be generally available for standalone purchase, or if it will be offered on a subscription based model. The Beta testing phase is expected to glean more details on this.

雷耶斯总结说:“下一阶段我们的主要目标是将团队结束并将Beta单元交付给我们可以与之紧密合作以优化用户体验的关键合作伙伴。”

Accel的Venture合作伙伴Eric Wolford补充说:“ Fortify的位置独特,可以通过使用Tech在数字时代生产一流的零件来帮助领导美国制造业的复兴。我们很高兴支持整个强化团队,因为他们继续树立制造业的新标准。”

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特色图像显示了强化DCM制造的组件。通过Fortify的照片