Ex-SpaceX engineers land $14M to scale new method for 3D printing metal

Ex-SpaceX engineers raise $14M to advance 3D metal printing tech using AI.

: Ex-SpaceX engineers Erik Palitsch and TJ Ronacher, along with Tasso Lappas, secured $14 million from Nvidia and Boeing to revolutionize 3D metal printing. They founded Freeform to offer a service-based model using advanced AI and high-speed feedback loops in the printing process. Their closed-loop system with cutting-edge data processing provides superior speed, cost-efficiency, and quality. The company is expanding with plans to build faster printers and hire more staff.

Former SpaceX engineers Erik Palitsch and TJ Ronacher teamed up with Tasso Lappas to form Freeform, aiming to modernize 3D metal printing. Securing a $14 million investment from Nvidia and Boeing, they plan to overcome traditional challenges in the field by adopting a service-based model using advanced feedback and AI.

Their novel approach utilizes a closed-loop system with real-time data processing, enabling them to deliver fast, precise, and cost-effective metal prints. The technology builds on datasets acquired using custom-built “AI on steroids” GPU/FPGA combinations due to the lack of existing solutions capable of meeting their speed requirements.

Freeform's innovations have attracted major companies like Boeing, who are keen to leverage the extensive datasets the company is developing. The company's model, offering agility in manufacturing and versatility in factory settings, positions it for success in aerospace, automotive, industrial, and energy sectors. Freeform plans to scale operations, improve printer speed, and expand its team to 55 employees.