One of the UK’s fastest growing additive manufacturers has unveiled its latest investment in 3D printing technology, developed in response to growing demand for its industrial scale production capabilities.
AMufacture opened the doors at its contract manufacturing facility in Portsmouth to demonstrate its innovative 3D design and print services, including new automation which is driving growth for the business.
Backed by a seven-figure private equity investment, the company has invested in multiple HP printers with automatic changeover systems and robotic arms in a move which founders say represents a significant technological leap.
CEO Craig Pyser said: “This capability is so advanced that we were among the first in the world to implement it – previously, only one machine in Sweden had similar capability. It allows us to maintain continuous production and gives us a genuine competitive advantage.”
The company now operates five HP MJF printers, including four cutting-edge 5620 series machines that were the first of their type in the UK. The company also operates one of only two 5420 white printers in the UK and the only one available for contract manufacturing.
The innovation was on display at an Open Day which brought together customers, suppliers, industry contacts and technology partners from across the UK and Europe to see the company’s expanded manufacturing infrastructure in action.
The facility tour highlighted the company’s comprehensive capability across multiple technologies and finishing processes. Alongside the MJF machines, visitors saw FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) capacity for applications requiring specialist high-temperature materials – including FAA and CAA – approved options for aerospace – alongside dedicated post-processing infrastructure for dyeing, vapour fusing and finishing such as inserts.
Craig said interest at the event was high from defence sector businesses, reflecting growing demand for UK-based manufacturing partners with secure supply chains and advanced production capability.
“Considering our location in Portsmouth, at the heart of a defence and security cluster of businesses that work in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, we were not surprised at the interest from defence industry suppliers.
“This area has significant drone manufacturing and there is a growing market for 3D-printed UAV parts, thanks to advancements in additive manufacturing technologies and the need for lightweight and complex drone components.”
COO Will Howden said the event was also an opportunity to demonstrate AMufacture’s capability in insert integration, split and join techniques for oversized parts and bespoke problem-solving for complex manufacturing challenges.
Delegate Jim Ashby, additive business development manager with valve manufacturer Kent Introl, said he was impressed by AMufacture’s approach.
“AMufacture is not trying to solve every problem with one technology. They understand additive manufacturing is another tool in the toolbox – and like any skilled manufacturer, you need the right tool for the right job. Whether it’s FDM, SLA or MJF, they match the capability to what their customers actually need. That means they can offer the correct solution to each problem, rather than forcing a solution that doesn’t quite fit. That’s honest manufacturing and the technology and the approach on show today was impressive.”
Jon Porter is business development manager with Matsuura which partnered with AMufacture to host the open day along with printer manufacturer HP.
He said: “AMufacture have understood the technology in every detail and all its capabilities. Bigger parts, white parts, smooth parts and they’re scaling around it. We’re delighted to be partnering with them to develop 3D printing capability which is supporting the company’s growth.”
