Flex3Drive
Develops low-cost open-source remote direct drive extruders for FDM 3D printers, enabling faster printing speeds and improved precision by reducing print head weight.
- CEO / Founder
- Jason Perkes
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Bootstrapped
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
Flex3Drive G7 remote direct drive extruder; Flex3Drive Quad MFx4 multi-filament stack + MISO hotend; MISO MFx4 Hot-End; G5 Flex Extruder (legacy/OOS); PrintBite+ print surface; heavy-duty flex driveshafts; 40:1 gear sets; filament hobbs; bearings; cooling fans
Technological Advantage
Proprietary flexible shaft and gearing system (40:1 ratio) allows for high torque and low motor wear, with open-source approach fostering community adoption and customization.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces print head weight to enable higher acceleration and speed (e.g., 200mm/sec), improves print quality with precise extrusion control, and offers open-source designs for customization and cost savings.
How They Differentiate
Flex3Drive uses a flexible driveshaft for remote drive, offering higher gear ratio (40:1) for better torque and durability compared to Zesty Nimble's lightweight design; open-source vs. proprietary models.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
DIY/hobbyist 3D printer builders, custom printer manufacturers, and advanced users seeking lightweight extruder solutions
Industry Verticals
Consumer 3D Printing; Education; Prototyping
Competitors
Zesty Nimble; Orbiter Extruder
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Developed extruder ecosystem over 3+ years with tens of thousands of printing hours; designs commissioned by major 3D printer manufacturer
Major Milestones
Project roots ~2012; FLEX3DRIVE LIMITED incorporated 2 Sep 2016; open-source remote flex-drive extruder platform; PrintBite surface; G7 redesign (stackable housing, new hobb/tension arm); Quad MFx4 multi-filament + MISO high-flow hotend
Notable Customers
Gary Collins; Geoff Lewis; Mark Holter