A new additive manufacturing centre in Milan is seeking to bridge the gap between design and industrial 3D printing. Three companies are leading the initiative, seeking to create a space where designers and manufacturers can collaborate to develop and implement new technologies in production.
Designtech, Caracol and the Spanish firm Lamaquina are launching Milan’s first permanent centre dedicated to the design sector, specialising in large-format, robotic 3D printing. The new hub will combine innovative infrastructure, industrial manufacturing technologies and expertise in design and production to create an environment that is accessible to designers, design studios and brands.
This initiative is a response to the growing interest in additive manufacturing in a variety of sectors, including industry, architecture, construction and furniture. Could this combination of creativity and industrial-scale production become the new standard for European design?
“Designtech does not build products. We build an ecosystem that enables the creation of groundbreaking products. We bring together technologies, manufacturing capabilities, creative talent and industrial partners to create a space where ambitious ideas can become real products, spaces and businesses,” says Ivan Tallarico, CEO of Designtech.
Photo credit: Lamaquina
Industrial 3D printing accessible to designers
The Milan-based company Caracol, which specialises in robotic additive manufacturing, is responsible for the technological side of the project. A Heron AM platform has been installed at the centre, enabling the production of large-scale components from advanced thermoplastics, as well as from sustainable and recycled materials.
The system is supported by Eidos Manufacturing software, as well as the company’s technological and process infrastructure. This gives designers access to a level of production quality that was previously mainly reserved for large industrial plants.
Milan lies at the crossroads of design, creativity and industrial development. It is the ideal place to bring together all the stakeholders needed for such an ecosystem to function. The partnership reflects the integrated ‘Made in Italy’ approach, valuing new design concepts and in-depth engineering expertise equally. “Caracol’s role is to provide the technology that will enable this heritage to be developed on a global scale,” explains Paolo Cassis, Caracol’s COO and co-founder.
Additive manufacturing seeks new applications
The third partner in the project is Lamaquina, a Barcelona-based company specialising in robotic manufacturing and computational design. The company will bring to the initiative the experience it has gained from carrying out projects for museums, exhibition centres, shops, restaurants and cultural institutions. According to Aldo Sollazzo, CEO of Lamaquina, large-format 3D printing has the potential to transform the design of buildings and architectural elements.
Lamaquina is working to create a new market for additive manufacturing in architecture, challenging existing design paradigms and identifying areas where large-format 3D printing can play a decisive role in the built environment.
The partners emphasise that the Milan centre is just the beginning. In the longer term, they intend to develop expertise in large-format additive manufacturing across Italy, enabling designers, manufacturers, and institutions to implement more flexible, efficient, and sustainable production processes. If the Milan model proves successful, it could serve as a blueprint for further additive manufacturing centres across Europe.
