Markforged: An Interview with ....

Following the success of formnext this year, RP Platform is taking a closer look at some of the innovative companies that showcased at the Frankfurt trade fair. This week, we’re speaking with Ibraheem Khadar, Project Manager at Markforged, to talk about his experience at formnext and Markforged’s vision for the future.The Markforged booth at formnext was arguably one of the trade show’s busiest this year. Visitors, curious to see the company's latest technologies, gather to see demonstrations of its latest Metal X printer and industrial printer series. And after featuring Markforged’s 3D printers as one of our top technologies to see at formnext this year, we were pleased to be able to speak with Ibraheem Khadar, Project Manager at Markforged. RP Platform: What has been the highlight of formnext for you?Ibraheem: Formnext has been really beneficial for our business, as everyone who’s anyone is here. It seems that it’s on an even bigger scale this year - and keeps getting bigger. [Formnext] is the perfect place to meet all the right people, and our own presence has increased exponentially - we’ve had up to 40, 50, 60 people at our booth at a time!RP Platform: What is Markforged’s vision going forward?Ibraheem: We definitely plan on having an even bigger presence in the future - we want our booth to be one of the focal points of the event. RP Platform: How do you see AM technology evolving in the next five years?Ibraheem: I see additive manufacturing becoming playing an even bigger role in engineering, manufacturing and design. At Markforged, we’re planning on developing the composites and metals side of our technologies.

Markforged: Revolutionising Additive Manufacturing

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The Markforged X7 printer[/caption]Founded in 2013, Markforged has created both desktop and industrial 3D printing systems that can print a range of materials, including carbon fibre and metal. The company first made waves when it developed the first carbon fibre 3D printer. The company also recently expanded its industrial series to encompass the X7, X3 and X5. The addition aims to make 3D printing more affordable for consumers. Both the X3 and X5 printers, Ibraheem explained, can support Onyx, carbon fibre filled nylon whose properties include strength and heat-resistance. Using the X5, however, uses are able to reinforce the Onyx material with fibreglass. The X7, previously known as Mark X, supports Continuous Carbon Fibre reinforcement. Since then, it has gone on to release its first desktop metal printer, Metal X. The printer uses Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) technology, which allows users to 3D print one-to-one replacements for cast pasts. The technology aims to make metal 3D more accessible and more affordable.The company aims to make 3D printing as efficient as possible.Looking towards the futureAnd the company seems set to achieve even bigger things; it was recently announced that it hasd received $30 million in a funding round, from investors such as Microsoft Ventures and Porsche. We’re eager to see what new technologies Markforged can come up with next.