The first local production unit allowing printing of complex multi-material objects remotely
3D printing has become a ubiquitous industrial production method, with multiple vertical markets being involved, including healthcare, automotive or aeronautic industries which routinely print a myriad of products, from hearing aids to the engine of a car. The professional desktop 3D printing represents the next printing revolution, as shown by the staggering 50-70% of these printers being sold to companies, especially small businesses run by engineers or designers to get early concept design. The reason is these machines are becoming more reliable, but they ultimately lack the functionality and usability that would be needed to become a real mainstream technology. Plasmics was founded with the sole goal to overcome these limitations, by creating the disruptive Local Production Unit (LPU), from which KOBOLD is the first product we are developing and plan to commercialize. Functionality is achieved thanks to KOBOLD's multi-material versatile printing capability, thanks to our modular cartridge system (patented) allowing printing complex objects using as many materials as cartridges are coupled to the printer. Up to 5 cartridges can be coupled to KOBOLD, with the additional advantage of being able to upgrade KOBOLD with new materials as they become available, instead of having to invest on a new printer or acquiring extra technical capabilities. Usability is achieved because KOBOLD does not require prior expertise in 3D printing to unfold its full potential, thanks to its user-friendly online software platform enabling the user to store, slice their designs and to keep their IP and collected models safe, while allowing object printing from any device and from anywhere. With KOBOLD, we anticipate to grow our company's revenue to €13.8 million by 2025, whilst creating 20 new direct jobs. To this end, we envisage a business model where besides the revenue generated from KOBOLD, cartridge sales will represent an important source of income too.