BeAM Machines is a French original equipment manufacturer focused on industrial metal additive manufacturing systems based on Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Cébazat, France, the company positions itself as a specialist in DED rather than a generalist metal AM provider, differentiating from competitors such as Desktop Metal and SLM Solutions that emphasize powder bed fusion processes.
The company's core technology is laser-based DED (DED-LB), which uses a focused laser to melt metal powder as it is deposited onto a substrate. This process is suited for adding material to existing parts for repair, cladding, or near-net-shape production of large components. BeAM's machines are designed for industrial environments and are backed by a portfolio of 52 patents covering aspects of powder delivery, process control, and system design.
BeAM targets industrial manufacturers in sectors such as machinery, aerospace, and energy, where DED is used to restore worn tooling, repair high-value components like turbine blades, or apply wear-resistant coatings. The company has a strategic partnership with AddUp Group, a joint venture between Michelin and Fives that also focuses on metal AM, suggesting a collaborative approach within the French additive manufacturing ecosystem.
The company has raised $18 million in funding from investors including Alven, Pace Capital, and Spark. CEO Emeric d'Arcimoles brings deep aerospace and industrial experience from previous leadership roles at Turbomeca and Hispano-Suiza. A key open question is whether BeAM can scale beyond its niche in repair and cladding to capture broader production applications, especially as larger AM OEMs increasingly add DED capabilities to their portfolios.