The additive manufacturing landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years, with advancements in technologies like layer-by-layer printing, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering. However, a new player, Manifest Technologies, has emerged with a game-changing technology that promises to disrupt the status quo – volumetric additive manufacturing, also known as Parallax Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (P-VAM).
Manifest Technologies, formerly known as Vitro3D, was spun out of the University of Colorado in 2020, and its P-VAM technology has been gaining attention for its unique approach to 3D printing. By using multiple rods to hold several light sources, P-VAM enables volumetric printing, which can produce complex shapes and structures that were previously impossible to achieve.
Key Benefits of P-VAM
• **Layerless Manufacturing**: P-VAM offers layerless manufacturing, which can be up to 100 times faster than traditional 3D printing methods. • **Embedded Components**: P-VAM enables the embedding of components such as electronics within prints, opening up new possibilities for product design and functionality. • **Compatibility with Wide Range of Materials**: Manifest’s technology is compatible with a wide range of materials, making it an attractive option for industries seeking to adapt to the changing manufacturing landscape.
Potential Use Cases
• **Large Objects**: The infinitely scalable nature of P-VAM enables the production of very long or large objects, making it ideal for applications such as:
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- A one-meter-by-one-meter printer for producing aligners
- A meter-long printer that is one aligner wide
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• **Specific Parts or Part Families**: P-VAM’s high precision and scalability make it suitable for manufacturing machines tailored to specific parts or part families.
Open Platform Model
Manifest hopes to attract materials firms, researchers, and industrial partners to join its open platform model. By offering the P-VAM evaluation kit and early adopter program, the company aims to bring its technology to fruition and create a true manufacturing solution that can be integrated alongside mass production lines.
Manifest’s approach to P-VAM offers several advantages, including a compact form factor, streamlined setup, and efficient integration with post-processing equipment. This approach enables a high-capacity setup within a minimal footprint, making it an attractive option for industries seeking to adapt to the changing manufacturing landscape.
Demonstrations and Evaluations
Manifest will demonstrate its P-VAM technology at its RAPID booth (#3443), where visitors can view printed parts and discuss relevant use cases. The company is also offering an early adopter program for those interested in helping commercialize P-VAM.
By showcasing its technology and engaging with potential partners, Manifest is taking a sensible approach to establishing its presence in the market. Researchers and firms alike are likely to appreciate the transparency offered by the open model, which is free of black box limitations.
Real-World Applications and Business Cases
While P-VAM holds real potential as a manufacturing technology, its adoption will depend on the establishment of concrete business cases and real-world success stories. Manifest is taking a proactive approach by offering the kit and pursuing an open approach, which is more likely to encourage investment of time and resources.
Researchers and investors have demonstrated interest in volumetric 3D printing, with applications in soft medical robotics devices, circuits, and bioprinting. Aligners and hearing aids have been discussed as potential targets for this technology, as have optics. However, just because something is conceptually faster doesn’t mean the real-life economics will hold up. Manifest will need to demonstrate maturity, reliability, and success through real-world customers and use cases.
The era of selling a revolution with a PowerPoint is over. Companies now must work hard to build relationships and get partners to put skin in the game. Manifest appears to be off to a solid start in engaging prospective partners with a newfangled technology that could change the game.
The Future of P-VAM
While we don’t yet know what the ideal product-market fit is for P-VAM, Manifest’s approach is sensible and transparent. The company is taking a proactive approach to establishing its presence in the market and creating a true manufacturing solution that can be integrated alongside mass production lines.
The open model offered by Manifest is more likely to encourage investment of time and resources. Researchers and firms alike are likely to appreciate transparency, and Manifest appears to be off to a solid start in engaging prospective partners with a newfangled technology that could change the game.
Conclusion
Manifest Technologies is showcasing its take on volumetric additive manufacturing at this year’s RAPID+TCT event. With its P-VAM technology, the company is poised to disrupt the additive manufacturing landscape and establish itself as a major player in the industry. By offering the P-VAM evaluation kit and early adopter program, Manifest is taking a sensible approach to bringing its technology to fruition and creating a true manufacturing solution that can be integrated alongside mass production lines.
| Highlights |
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