Interview with ANiMA's Customer Business Development Manager

" ANiMA is dedicated to advancing the field of 3D printing through their comprehensive range of products and services designed to meet the diverse requirements of industries such as industrial machinery, small-scale production, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), prototyping, research and development (R&D), dental, healthcare-medical, and jewelry.

The company’s offerings span various 3D printing technologies including SLS, SLA, DLP, FFF, and metal 3D printing (SLM), supported by extensive software solutions, training, and support services. ANiMA strives to deliver solutions that are both high in quality and cost-effective, catering to needs ranging from prototyping and production to research. "

Interview with George Pantoleon, Customer Business Development Manager at ANiMA – The 3D Printer Experts.

Easy Engineering: What’s the news about new products?

George Pantoleon: Focusing on our metal 3D printing capabilities, the iSLM280 and iSLM420D printers exemplify our innovation in this area. The iSLM280, an industrial-grade metal 3D printer, is engineered for the production of large, precise parts with superior surface quality. It features a build volume of 280mm x 280mm x 350mm and utilizes a 500W laser, making it versatile enough to work with a variety of materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, tool steel, and titanium. The iSLM420D expands on these capabilities with an even larger build volume, catering to the production of extremely large detailed objects, further enhancing our ability to meet custom manufacturing needs across various sectors.

In contrast, SLA focuses on using a UV laser to cure photopolymer resins layer by layer, creating objects with high precision and excellent detail. This technology is particularly useful in applications requiring fine features and smooth surface finishes, such as those found in the manufacturing and prototyping fields, where the iSLA660’s capabilities allow for the production of customized products.

Through these technologies and products, ANiMA not only supports a wide range of industrial, medical, and educational applications but also demonstrates a clear commitment to innovation and excellence in the 3D printing industry. Our focus on providing adaptable and high-performance solutions ensures that clients can efficiently produce functional, complex geometric parts, embracing the benefits of 3D printing across various applications.

Clients leverage our technology for projects spanning from industrial production and prototyping to dental and medical applications, benefiting from the ability to produce functional, complex geometric parts efficiently.

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

G.P: Our product offerings, notably in the fields of industrial machinery, automotive & motorsports, aerospace, arts & culture, healthcare, and consumer goods, demonstrate our versatility. For example, in the automotive sector, we enable manufacturers to prototype and create end-use parts, such as exhaust manifolds and topology-optimized chassis components, with AM technologies. These applications benefit from AM’s ability to produce lightweight yet robust designs with intricate geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot achieve. 

In the healthcare sector, our technologies have been utilized for projects like the creation of a specialized medical tool – a bone file – in Greece, showcasing the precision and customization capabilities of AM for patient-specific medical devices.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

G.P: The strategic collaboration between ANiMA and ZRapid Technology not only brings advanced AM solutions to the European market but also fosters the development of region-specific applications by leveraging ANiMA’s deep market understanding and ZRapid’s technological prowess. This partnership is instrumental in making the latest AM advancements accessible to businesses, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

Sustainable use of ANiMA’s products and solutions is achievable through several key practices. Firstly, the inherent efficiency of additive manufacturing reduces material waste compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing processes, promoting a more sustainable production model. Clients are encouraged to leverage this advantage by designing parts that utilize material more efficiently and by recycling unused materials whenever possible.

Secondly, the ability to produce parts on-demand significantly cuts down on the energy consumption and carbon footprint associated with mass production and inventory storage. This approach aligns with sustainable manufacturing principles by minimizing excess production and waste. By integrating these sustainable practices, clients can not only leverage the technological benefits of 3D printing but also contribute to a more sustainable manufacturing ecosystem, reducing their overall environmental impact.

Furthermore, ANiMA’s products and solutions increase profitability for users by significantly enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of manufacturing processes. By reducing the time and cost associated with traditional manufacturing methods, our 3D printing solutions enable businesses to achieve faster prototyping, customized production, and reduced waste. This agility allows for rapid iteration and customization without the need for expensive molds or tooling, opening up new possibilities for product development and customization that were previously cost-prohibitive. 

Innovation and R&D are the cornerstones of our field, driving the development of advanced solutions that increase profitability and sustainability for our users. By simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing time-to-market, our products offer significant cost savings and environmental benefits. The integration of AI is set to revolutionize our industry further, with ANiMA envisioning a future where fully automated production lines, from design to post-processing, become a reality. This shift towards mass customization, enabled by AI, promises unprecedented efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing.

Lastly, ANiMA is heavily involved in a R&D program RoBétArmé. It is a human-robot collaborative construction system for shotcrete digitization and automation through advanced perception, cognition, mobility and additive manufacturing skills.

E.E: What estimations do you have for 2024?

G.P: Looking ahead, the future of 3D printing is bright, with continuous advancements in materials, digital design tools, and manufacturing processes utilizing AM Technologies. ANiMA’s business plans for 2024 are firmly focused on harnessing these innovations, expanding our product range, and enhancing our services to meet the evolving demands of the market. Our commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and excellence positions ANiMA as a leader in the 3D printing industry in Southeastern Europe, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

If you want to get in touch with George or have questions, feel free to reach out: gpan@anima.eu

Source: Easy Engineering