Rapid Fusion from Exeter aims to establish Cerberus as a mobile hybrid manufacturing system for deployment locations without conventional infrastructure. The system will be presented at Formnext in Frankfurt and is installed in a container that, according to the manufacturer, can be put into operation in around 25 minutes. The target group is users who want to additively manufacture functional components in remote regions and then machine them directly – for example on offshore platforms, forward military bases, in disaster zones or on large construction sites.
Technically, Cerberus combines large-volume pellet 3D printing with CNC machining. The build volume is in the region of around 1,200 millimeters, with a material throughput of up to 17 kilograms of granulate per hour. A spindle with 3 kilowatts of continuous power performs milling and drilling operations within the same cell. The system is designed for high process and material flexibility: it processes locally available polymers and, at temperatures of up to 500 °C, can also handle fiber-reinforced high-performance plastics and composites. Two independently operating heads are intended to reduce downtime and enable parallel jobs.
“We had been in talks with a number of defence companies about the possibility of developing a system that produces military grade components anywhere in the world,” explained Martin Jewell, Chief Technical Officer at Exeter-based Rapid Fusion. “This got us thinking. Being able to deploy quickly was a key requirement so we’ve taken the functionality and technology of Medusa and adapted it into a new system that is containerised and can be set-up anywhere in the world – in just twenty-five minutes. The initial feedback on Cerberus has been phenomenal and we believe we have a hybrid manufacturing machine that can make components used in rescue drones, safety critical parts for oil and gas and replacements bits for vehicles operating in intense conditions. We’ll be demonstrating it for the first time at Formnext, with the opportunity for companies to pre-order for when production starts next month.”
Martin, who completed 3 tours of Afghanistan as part of 10 years spent in the Royal Engineers, went on to add: “The system has been designed to deliver reliable performance in demanding, high-tempo environments – always built with operational resilience in mind. We’ve developed several modular enhancements that buyers can choose from to make the system energy independent, achieve compressed air where none is available and access intelligence anywhere through Bob – our AI powered operating system.”
A single 5-pin power connection is sufficient; self-levelling and an automated start-up sequence handle calibration and system checks even on uneven ground.
Jake Hand, CEO of Rapid Fusion, concluded: “There are lots of deployment scenarios where Cerberus can make a real difference. We initially looked at how it would work in producing replacement parts for military and defence or creating custom tooling and fixtures. It then broadened out to disaster response and the ability to make medical supplies quickly, and eliminating helicopter logistics for polymer parts used in oil and gas. The reality is there are many more scenarios where our technology can be used. Formnext will be a great place to debut Cerberus and we can’t wait to enter into production to start helping countries save lives and protect their communities.”
With optional modules, Cerberus can be operated in an energy-autonomous manner, equipped with compressed-air supply, and monitored remotely via the AI-based “Bob” operating system.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
3DPresso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.
