AddiFab pioneered Freeform Injection Molding (FIM), a hybrid process that replaces conventional steel or aluminum tooling with 3D-printed dissolvable molds. This approach allows product developers and injection molding shops to produce functional prototypes and low-volume parts without the lead time and expense of hard tooling. The company claims a 5-10x cost reduction compared to traditional injection molding for short runs.
The core technology relies on proprietary dissolvable tooling resins and a CAD-to-Tool software workflow. Users print a mold on a standard polymer extrusion (MEX) 3D printer, then use that mold in a conventional injection molding machine. After the part is formed, the mold is dissolved away, leaving a finished injection-molded part. This eliminates the need for mold design for ejection, cooling channels, and parting lines, dramatically simplifying the tooling process.
AddiFab targets manufacturing companies, injection molding shops, and product developers in automotive, consumer products, and medical devices. Named customers include PepsiCo and Wilson Sporting Goods. The company was acquired by Nexa3D in 2023, integrating FIM with Nexa3D's ultrafast SLA printers to create a digital tooling platform for industrial injection molding.
The acquisition by Nexa3D provides AddiFab with a larger distribution channel and complementary technology, but also ties its future to Nexa3D's strategic direction. The key open question is whether FIM can scale beyond prototyping and bridge the gap to production-grade tooling for higher-volume runs, where traditional metal molds remain more economical.
Competitive Intelligence
Competitors, SWOT analysis, and investment insights