In recent times, 3D printing technology has been adapted by numerous industry verticals including aerospace, automotive, defense, and health care. Industrial 3D printing provides various opportunities by transforming the conventional manufacturing process. The use of this technology in the healthcare industry has increased market growth exponentially. Presently, several companies are investing in the formulation of innovative solutions with 3D printing.
During the period of lockdown, industrial 3D printing was at the forefront—enabling manufacturers to streamline production and manage supply chains. Craftbot provides customized 3D printing solutions for personal, educational, and industrial purposes. The company is an innovator in Additive Manufacturing; it provides complete solutions with hardware, software, filament (Raw material), and technical support to its customers. Craftbot offers high-quality Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)—a.k.a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)—based 3D printers at a competitive price.
Experience at the ‘Helm’
Craftbot was formerly known as Craftunique which was founded in 2014 by the brothers János and Attila Horváth. They generated growth that led to rapid expansion where the Budapest-based company is now being led by, Csaba Mákos the CEO whose main mandate is to increase and grow its global footprint. He has served in the manufacturing domain for 25 years. Csaba worked in several roles in the General Motors Company for most of his professional life. He later joined Apollo Tyres Ltd. and Voco Ipartechnika before taking over to Craftbot in 2018.
Csaba embraces the impact of modern technology and innovation involved in the manufacturing process of Craftbot printers. The additive manufacturing industry is rather fast-paced and modern as compared to the auto industry. With a myriad of new developments, partnerships, and applications, the industry continues to grow and become more consolidated.
“My strength and motivation emanate from a team I explicitly trust, a team that has developed its expertise in innovating new products, designing streamlined hardware, and creating the software for a competitive offering,” revealed Csaba Mákos.
Consumer-Centric Approach
Being an innovator with in-house capabilities, manufacturing the hardware is only one part of Craftbot’s operations. It also develops the firmware and slicing software for a well-rounded ecosystem, providing a complete 3D printing solution to our users. Craftbot offers a wide range of printers along with the largest professional easy to use 3D printer currently available in the marketplace.
The printers offered by the company are highly optimizable with accessories and attachments to maximize their accessibility. Moreover, its home-grown software Craftware is adaptable and printers can be calibrated uniquely according to the proficiency and experience of the user.
Craftbot also offers Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) printers, which allow the user to print 2 objects at the same time used in low parts manufacturing and automotive among other applications. All the printers are offered under a warranty cover of 5 years. The company relies highly on customer feedback—it continually develops and upgrades its products and services accordingly.
Areas of Service
Craftbot is active and continues to develop the scope of its 3D printing solutions in different verticals—targeting more sectors. The company currently has clients in industries including automotive, manufacturing, prototyping, etc. It has also made significant developments in the medical application of prostheses and has been providing its solutions in the versatile art and fashion industries. Apart from that, Craftbot manufactures easy to use printers for educational institutions. It provides 3D lesson plans for students from primary schools to universities.
3D printing is still a new tool, so it is not as widespread among users. Thus, to gain trust, the company ensures the highest standards of quality and provides exceptional services continually. As the customers are usually unfamiliar with the technology, Craftbot emphasizes educating the user, which is one of the biggest challenges. It makes customers familiar with the various functions and processes of its printers, such as using the slicer software, setting up of filaments, optimization abilities, settings, and more. Although the printers are made as intuitive and automated as possible, the training helps better understand the device itself.
Defense against COVID-19
Craftbot’s culture has always been about family, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The company’s approach against COVID-19 has been overarching its cultural philosophies. Craftbot extended its global reach while maintaining a strong focus on its native community. The company redirected its resources to set up a Rapid Local Manufacturing (RLM) farm consisting of 12 3D printers in Budapest. The capabilities of the plant were soon tested—it manufactured thousands of face shields in less than two weeks. Later, Craftbot shared its RLM goods with various countries and empowered them through hardware and software support to fight COVID-19 on a local level. The company aided Hungary, UK, Canada, and the US by implementing impactful solutions locally.
Redefining Education
Presently, the education sector seeks the aid of 3D printers. The global curriculum for STEAM has adapted to 3D print aided education. The company focuses on incorporating more technical devices within schools—given that 21st-century students are more digitally verse, they can lead the change needed and get the most out of it. Presently, more students aged between 10 to 12 years are working on their 3D printed projects.
Future Expansions and Innovations
Craftbot has shifted its focus to North America for 2021—building awareness, brand recognition, consumer base, and introducing its complete product range in the US. It will be targeting the industrial, medical, and educational sectors in the region. Additionally, the company is continuously innovating through new hardware and software solutions designed for a specific industry or use.
“We have new ideas planned for the road ahead. Our goal is to develop more and more solutions—both hardware and software— for industrial users,” said Csaba.
Read Full Magazine:- The 10 Compelling 3D Printing Companies, 2021
