FEATURE: Additive manufacturing comes of age

Five years ago, Filomeno Martina was a senior lecturer at Cranfield University, teaching additive manufacturing. Today he’s the founder and CEO of a company that sells 3D printing machines, components, custom software and even some metal alloys. Specialising in wire arc additive manufacturing, the company’s machines are used around the planet by clients in industries such as aerospace, energy and mining. The parts they create can now be measured in metres, not just centimetres.

Wearing a black sweatshirt, his hair tied back, Martina walks over to one of his flagship RoboWAAM printers. It looks big enough to drive a car into. His attention flicks to a stack of large wooden boxes on the factory floor. “These are a couple of machines being built for customers,” he says, a smile spreading across his bearded face. “One in Canada and one in Japan. It’s exciting times here!”

Martina’s start-up firm, WAAM3D, was included in a list of 10 most innovative 3D printing companies last year, while he was awarded an International Outstanding Young Researcher prize. The company (a Cranfield University spin-off) employs around 30 people, has a joint-venture partner in Singapore and expects up to 700% better performance from its next-generation printer...