The first Local Production Unit allowing Printing of Complex Multi-material Objects Remotely

Project Information

KOBOLD

Grant agreement ID: 815724

DOI

10.3030/815724

Project closed

EC signature date 10 May 2018

Start date 1 May 2018

End date 31 August 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SCHREINER KONRAD
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KOBOLD (The first Local Production Unit allowing Printing of Complex Multi-material Objects Remotely)

Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2018-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The sales from the global 3D printing market totaled € 5.2 billion in 2016, having almost tripled its value since 2012. Desktop 3D printers are the fastest-growing segment, being expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.2%, between 2016 and 2022.
We employed our proprietary technology, based on a self-contained modular cartridge system that includes extruder, filament spool, hot end and nozzle, to develop a functional prototype of KOBOLD. Thanks to its advanced exchange mechanism, KOBOLD can work with up to five modular cartridges, offering the possibility of using the same number of different materials during the manufacturing of a part. This way, users will be able to print complex objects without having to conform to using only a single material or to assembly products of different parts, printed separately. We are also committed to improve user experience and streamline printing workflows, by providing intuitive but advanced software that uses online Machine Learning tools. Our product is especially suited for small companies, in areas such as architecture and design that need to create high-value added applications that require a significant design effort and advanced functionality. It also offers a wealth of opportunities to schools, where it can be used to create on-demand teaching aids and teach students computer skills in an interactive and engaging manner.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In terms of technical feasibility, we performed a thorough analysis of the work, time and personnel requirements to finalise KOBOLD’s development. the work plan can be completed in 24 months. We performed an analysis of risks and possible mitigation measures.
Commercial feasibility: we performed a FtO. The risk of legal IP infringement is very low or inexistent, with practically all the prior art found being from the US or China. We also re-defined our go-to-market strategy.
Financial forecasts: In the 5th commercialisation year we will have generated € 25.4 million, € 5.4 million of net profit and a ROI of 3.63.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We’ll build an entire 3D printing ecosystem, addressing all the needs of our target segments in terms of application: VET/STEAM courses, small business owners from design, architecture and engineering areas, and also prosumers. We decided to go further and include an advanced, but user-friendly-software, and an online platform that allows for remote control and streamlined workflows (buy/design models, slicing and printing with computer vision and ML-enabled self-correction of errors).

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