AltForm

HardwareMoncalieri, ItalyFounded 2015· One of 1818 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops laser-based metal additive manufacturing systems for Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Direct Energy Deposition (DED) applications, with production-ready platforms featuring AI-powered guidance and open process control for aerospace, automotive, energy, defense, and medical manufacturing.

CEO / Founder: Paolo Calefati
Stage: Acquired
Total Funding: $10M
Latest Round: Acquired
Key Investors: Sodick Co., Ltd., Prima Industrie

Technology & Products

Key Products

Print 300 (PBF-LB system), Print 400 (PBF-LB system), Print Sharp and Print Genius series (PBF), Ianus and Wire-DED robotic cells, Powder-based DED systems, Remote Laser Welding Cells (e-mobility and battery tray), Laser Hardening and Surface Treatment Systems, KI-HMI (AI-powered Human-Machine Interface), Fully Automated Serial Production Lines, Rapid coating solutions

Technological Advantage

Leverages proprietary 'KI-HMI' AI software for real-time process optimization and a unique 'Open System' philosophy that allows customers to customize process parameters. Their systems feature high-speed laser cladding and multi-laser synchronization for superior build rates.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Industrializes metal additive manufacturing by integrating it with automated laser welding and hardening, enabling a seamless transition from prototyping to scalable serial production.

How They Differentiate

AltForm differentiates through an 'Open System' philosophy that allows users to customize process parameters and materials, combined with a multi-technology portfolio that integrates Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED), and Remote Laser Welding into automated production lines.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Tier 1 & 2 industrial suppliers and OEMs requiring high-precision metal components and automated production lines.

Industry Verticals

Aerospace & Space, Automotive (specifically E-mobility/EV), Energy & Power Generation, Tooling & Die Making, Industrial Machinery

Competitors

Trumpf; DMG Mori; EOS

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Transitioned from a business unit to a standalone entity in 2022, followed by a 95% majority acquisition by Sodick in 2024 to scale global operations.

Major Milestones

2015: Founded as AM division of Prima Industrie, 2022: Spun off as Prima Additive S.r.l. under CEO Paolo Calefati, 2022: Merger with 3D New Technologies to enhance PBF-LB capabilities, 2024: Sodick acquires 9.5% minority stake, March 2025: Sodick exercises majority call option, May 2025: Acquisition finalized, November 2025: Rebranded as AltForm to reflect expanded laser technology focus

Notable Customers

Major Aerospace OEMs; Tier 1 Automotive Suppliers; European Space Agency (ESA) partners

https://www.altform.com

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

AltForm, based in Moncalieri, Italy, positions itself as a multi-technology laser powerhouse rather than a pure-play additive manufacturer. Founded in 2015 as the AM division of Prima Industrie, the company spun off in 2022, merged with 3D New Technologies, and was majority-acquired by Sodick in 2024-2025 before rebranding. Its strategy is to bridge additive prototyping and scalable serial production by combining Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB), Directed Energy Deposition (DED-LB and DED-Arc), remote laser welding, and surface treatment into automated production lines.

Core products include the Print 300 and Print 400 PBF-LB systems, the Print Sharp and Print Genius series, Ianus and Wire-DED robotic cells, powder-based DED systems, and remote laser welding cells for e-mobility battery trays. AltForm's proprietary KI-HMI AI software enables real-time process optimization, while its 'Open System' philosophy allows customers to customize process parameters and materials. The company also offers fully automated serial production lines and rapid coating solutions.

Target customers are tier 1 and tier 2 industrial suppliers and OEMs in aerospace, automotive (especially EV), energy, tooling, and industrial machinery. Named partners include major aerospace OEMs, tier 1 automotive suppliers, and European Space Agency collaborators. AltForm competes with Trumpf, DMG Mori, and EOS, differentiating through its open architecture and integration of multiple laser-based processes under one roof.

The company's strategic moat rests on its combination of Italian engineering agility and Sodick's Japanese precision manufacturing infrastructure, plus a patent portfolio in laser process control, multi-laser optical paths, and powder management. A key open question is whether the open-system approach can gain traction against closed, validated workflows favored in regulated industries like aerospace and medical.