CASTOR ends operations after eight years: Software pioneer for AM analysis closes

Israeli startup CASTOR has ceased operations after eight years. Founder Omer Blaier announced the company’s closure in a LinkedIn post. CASTOR was considered one of the first providers to develop software solutions specifically designed to support companies in introducing additive manufacturing.

Unlike traditional machine manufacturers, CASTOR did not produce 3D printers. Instead, the company offered a decision-making platform based on design data (CAD) that analyzed which components were economically and technically suitable for 3D printing. Users could upload large component libraries, and the software then evaluated geometry, material requirements, and costs. This provided companies with a report on which parts could be manufactured more efficiently using additive manufacturing.

The solution was primarily aimed at large industrial companies with extensive spare parts or prototype archives – an area in which the selection of suitable AM applications is often complex. In addition to economic efficiency assessments, CASTOR later also integrated ecological factors, such as the potential impact on CO₂ emissions when switching to additive production.

The company was able to attract well-known partners. Xerox provided financial support, and a partnership was formed with UltiMaker to integrate CASTOR analysis into existing design workflows. In addition, the startup developed a process that automatically evaluated 2D design drawings – a crucial step for companies with older CAD inventories.

Blaier did not comment in detail on the exact reasons for the closure. In his statement, he merely wrote that even “a good idea, a dedicated team, a popular product, and many paying customers” were not enough to maintain a long-term presence in an “unstable market environment.”