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3D4MEC

HardwareSasso Marconi, Bologna, ItalyFounded 2016· One of 1733 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

First Italian company specialized in industrial metal 3D printing systems using L-PBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) technology, offering specialized printers for steel and brass components.

CEO / Founder
Fabrizio Marino Corsini
Team Size
1-10
Stage
Active
Latest Round
Bootstrapped
Key Investors
AU.TE.BO. Group (Parent company/Founding entity)

Technology & Products

Key Products

3D4STEEL - First specialized L-PBF system for non-reactive steel powders, 3D4BRASS - World's first and only 3D printer for lead-free brass components, 3D4YOU - Feasibility studies and technical evaluation services, 3D4MATION - Advanced additive manufacturing training academy, CorSystem - Proprietary superfast 3D printing production methodology

Technological Advantage

Combines patented close powder recycle system (reducing consumable costs and setup times), open powder system (compatible with any market-available metal powder), and CorSystem methodology enabling superfast production specifically optimized for each material family rather than general-purpose printing.

Patent position

3D4MEC has filed 14 patent families in total, compared with 185 for EOS, 196 for Nikon SLM Solutions, and 218 for TRUMPF. AMPulse analysis

Filing momentum
4 families filed 2022–2024, 0 in 2019–2021
Filed in
EP 50%US 36%WO 14%
Named competitors, AM patent families
EOS 185Nikon SLM Solutions 196TRUMPF 218

14 AM patent families in total. Recent years are still being published, so read a filing change against the same-office figure.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Specialized metal 3D printers that reduce production time by over 66% for steel components while lowering operating costs through patented powder recycling technology and material-specific optimization.

How They Differentiate

Only manufacturer of material-specific L-PBF systems with world's first brass 3D printer (3D4BRASS) and specialized steel printer (3D4STEEL), featuring patented close powder recycle system and CorSystem methodology for 66% faster production, challenging the industry approach of general-purpose multi-material machines with material-optimized solutions that deliver lower operating costs and higher production efficiency.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Industrial manufacturers requiring metal components, including mechanical engineering companies, OEMs, and production facilities in traditional industrial sectors

Industry Verticals

Automotive, Aerospace, Mechanical Automation, Mechanical Manufacturing, Valve and Faucet Manufacturing

Competitors

EOS GmbH; Nikon SLM Solutions; Trumpf

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Revenue €1.22M (2024) / €1.16M (2023) / ~€714k (2022); net profit €99.7k (2024); 6-9 employees; Active commercial hardware sales; Fraunhofer IAPT R&D (2024); WeAreAM equipment supply (2023)

Major Milestones

Founded as first Italian company specialized in industrial metal 3D printing systems (January 2016), Developed and launched 3D4STEEL - first specialized L-PBF system for non-reactive steel powders, Created world's first 3D printer for lead-free brass components (3D4BRASS), Invented and patented CorSystem production methodology for superfast 3D printing, Strategic equipment supply partnership with WeAreAM Srl for 3D4STEEL and 3D4BRASS systems (December 2023), R&D collaboration with Fraunhofer IAPT for advanced in-situ optical monitoring system development (October 2024), Technology partnership with Thetascan for process control systems (2024)

Notable Customers

WeAreAM Srl (Italian metal AM service provider); COESIA Group (35+ year supplier relationship through AU.TE.BO. SpA)

https://3d4mec.com

AM patents

AM-relevant patents linked to this company.

Patents
14
Granted
4
Families
14

Leading domains: process (14), equipment (12), material (9)

Filings by year: 2023: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5

  1. Laser 3D printer10864678 · US
  2. Laser 3D printer11135652 · US
  3. LASER 3D PRINTER03263315 · EP
  4. LASER 3D PRINTER03263314 · EP
  5. LASER 3D PRINTER20180126645 · US

Funding rounds

  • Spin-offBootstrapped/Parent Company Funding2016-01Lead: AU.TE.BO. Group · Source: Company Website

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

3D4MEC occupies a niche in metal additive manufacturing by building LPBF systems optimized for specific material families rather than general-purpose multi-material machines. Founded in 2016 in Sasso Marconi, Italy, the company targets mid-market manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, mechanical automation, and valve/faucet production who need cost-effective, production-ready metal printing.

The company's core products are the 3D4STEEL, the first LPBF system specialized for non-reactive steel powders, and the 3D4BRASS, the world's first 3D printer capable of processing lead-free brass powders. Both systems incorporate a patented close powder recycle system that reduces consumable costs and setup times, plus an open powder system compatible with any market-available metal powder. The proprietary CorSystem methodology enables what the company describes as superfast production, claiming a 66% reduction in production time for steel components compared to general-purpose alternatives.

3D4MEC serves industrial OEMs and production facilities, with named customers including Italian metal AM service provider WeAreAM Srl and the COESIA Group, a long-standing partner through parent company AU.TE.BO. SpA. The company has raised €12.5 million and reported revenue of €730.5k in 2021, with estimated growth to $3 million. A 2024 R&D collaboration with Fraunhofer IAPT focuses on developing an advanced in-situ optical monitoring system, and a technology partnership with Thetascan targets process control improvements.

The company's material-specific strategy challenges the dominant approach of EOS, Nikon SLM Solutions, and Trumpf, which offer multi-material platforms. While this specialization may limit addressable market size, it could appeal to manufacturers seeking lower operating costs and higher throughput for steel and brass components. The key open question is whether the performance advantage in these two material families is sufficient to drive adoption beyond early customers and into broader industrial production.