Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Anindito Mukherjee/Bloomberg / Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
mood
Image Credits:Anindito Mukherjee/Bloomberg / Getty Images
Cloud Computing
mercantilism
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Government & Policy
Hardware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
privateness
Robotics
Security
societal
Space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
mankind have cast alloy parts in basically the same way of life for thousands of years : by pouring liquefied metal into a mold , often made of compacted sand and clay .
There ’s a cause this ancient method is used today : Sand casting is cheap and work well with both ferric , or iron - base , and nonferrous metals . But there is a uneconomical downside . The technique requires more metal than the finished part needs , and while refuse are commonly recycled , melt down excess alloy over and over wastefulness energy . 3D printing process has emerged as a pricey choice generally reserved for prototypes and low - volume parts .
One startup , Magnus Metal , is exercise on a metallic element casting technology it claims is as fast and energy efficient as 3D printing at a monetary value that can compete with Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin casting .
“ Over fourth dimension , as our reliability and usage of the machine will rise , I think we are live to be militant for parts that are not very unproblematic , ” Magnus Metal co - founder and CEO Boaz Vinogradov told TechCrunch .
For unproblematic pieces , backbone cast will still have the advantage , but for complex function like gear box , Vinogradov is confident his company can vie on toll .
To make those parts , Magnus Metal borrows elements of Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin cast and 3D printing to do what it hollo digital cast . Before casting oeuvre begins , the company ’s software system slices a design into layers . The company then takes the negative of that shape and creates ceramic physique between four to 20 millimeter heavyset , which will oblige the metallic element in lieu while it cool off .
In the casting machine , alloy is melted and drip into the ceramic base . Once a bed is complete , more metal is added . Each subsequent layer melts the previous one , ensuring the layers are bond while also allow impurities to float to the top , Vinogradov said . The melting and mixing of the layers allows its parts to have fewer defect rates and are 10 % to 20 % stronger than traditionally shake off parts , the company say .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Magnus Metal plan to betray its machine to client as well as the proprietary ceramic that ’s used to produce the floor . The goal , Vinogradov sum up , is to bring forth between $ 500,000 to $ 1 million of recurring revenue per machine .
“ If you sell only machines , you ’re going to be cyclic , ” he said . “ We grow our own ceramic , because in fiat to produce a layer , you need ceramics that can withstand the shock of liquefied metal several meter . ”
Magnus Metal ’s layer - by - stratum technique is similar to 3D impression , but Vinogradov said that his party ’s access is faster , which helps lower cost . Each ceramic floor can be reused , too , though only for a finite routine of parts . And unlike 3D printing , which usually requires specific feedstocks , Magnus Metal said its system can use client - specify material .
The method acting does n’t postulate expensive tooling to make the bases , unlike mold for sand casting , according to the Magnus Metal . This means customer can make parts more cost - effectively at lower volumes relative to traditional cast , the startup allege .
make industrial machinery like this does n’t come cheap , which is why Magnus Metal has raised a $ 74 million Series B , TechCrunch has exclusively learned . The round was led by Entrée Capital and Target Global with involvement by Awz Ventures , Caterpillar Ventures , Cresson Management , Deep Insight Ventures , Discount Capital , Essentia Venture Capital , Lip Ventures , Lumir Ventures , Next Gear Fund and Tal Ventures .
“ This [ troll ] is going to take us into industrialization this class and beta examination beginning of next class , ” Vinogradov . “ The goal is to habituate this funding to have an industrial machine that is quite robust that the customers finished try . ”
