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Caracol, a specialist in polymer and composite LFAM hardwareintroduces Vipra AM, a new robotic platform for 3D printing of large-format metal parts. Caracol’s new robot platform will be presented at Formnext and is intended to transform the production of large-format metal parts.
Vipra AM is a robotic direct energy deposition platform for large-format metal parts that leverages the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) process and is seamlessly integrated into a proprietary, turnkey system of hardware, software and automation. The platform is designed to maximize user flexibility, control and performance and extend the capabilities of LFAM to a wider range of applications.
“At Caracol, we believe that the future of manufacturing lies in combining a strong application focus with advanced innovative technologies that are reshaping the capabilities of industrial production lines,” explains Francesco De Stefano, CEO of Caracol AM. “With Vipra AM, we have leveraged our extensive expertise, developed over years of work on advanced process control and software for large format AM with thermoplastics and composites, to develop a proprietary, state-of-the-art metal platform, the most modern hardware and software combined with advanced robotic monitoring and automation. Thanks to this innovative technology, we want to expand the ability of industrial manufacturers to produce their most complex large-scale projects.”
In a recent test, space company D-Orbit worked with Caracol on WAAM 3D printed compressed air tanks
With its application-oriented approach, Caracol has spent years developing projects and scaling part production with Vipra AM. As a result of this extensive work, Caracol introduces two new configurations of Vipra.
Vipra XQ (Extreme Quality) uses Plasma Arc Deposition technology to produce extremely high quality components with exceptional finish and precision. It is best suited for applications requiring superior strength and precision and can process an incredibly wide range of metals including – stainless steels and titanium alloys. The system is ideal for large-format, high-strength and highly integrated parts for sectors such as aerospace (e.g. load-bearing brackets and structural components) and energy (e.g. valves, gauges and structural piping connections).
Vipra XP (Extreme Productivity) is aimed at maximizing productivity and minimizing operating costs in the manufacturing process of complex large-scale metal projects. Its unmatched throughput combined with its ability to print aluminum and nickel-based materials makes the system ideal for parts where lead times and light weight are critical, such as: B. in the transportation industry (e.g. automotive components, aerospace pressure vessels, marine propellers) and in less demanding architectural applications (e.g. sculptures, light organic structures).
In both configurations, Vipra AM is built for advanced applications such as load-bearing precast, lightweight structures, autoclave and high-durability curing molds, cladding, on-demand repairs and replacement parts.
“The launch of Vipra AM represents a significant breakthrough for the metal additive manufacturing industry,” says Gianrocco Marinelli, Metal Additive Manufacturing Director at Caracol. “In today’s competitive market, manufacturers face increasing challenges, from material waste and long lead times to pressure to reduce costs while maintaining high performance. Vipra AM introduces cutting-edge capabilities and complements existing processes by enabling hybrid production models that combine traditional techniques with advanced metal deposition to help manufacturers optimize their production lines, reduce waste, shorten lead times and increase overall efficiency , without overhauling your entire processes.”
