AltForm

HardwareTurin, ItalyFounded 2014· One of 1757 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

AltForm (formerly Prima Additive) is an Italian industrial technology company specializing in metal additive manufacturing and advanced laser processes, now part of the Sodick Group.

CEO / Founder: Paolo Calefati
Team Size: 51-200
Stage: Subsidiary
Total Funding: Undisclosed
Latest Round: Acquired
Key Investors: Sodick (majority owner, 94.35%), Alpha Private Equity, Peninsula Capital (previous investors)

Technology & Products

Key Products

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Direct Energy Deposition (DED) systems, including Print Genius 150 Double Wavelength and Ianus laser processing robotic cell. Also offers laser remote welding and advanced surface treatment processes such as laser hardening.

Technological Advantage

Offering Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Direct Energy Deposition solutions tailored for metal additive manufacturing.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Fast deliveries, dedicated in-house product development, and a wide assortment of printers, filaments, and accessories featuring advanced laser technology.

How They Differentiate

Combines Italian laser engineering and process innovation with Japanese precision manufacturing and industrial discipline through Sodick Group ownership. Offers integrated laser manufacturing solutions including industrial additive manufacturing systems (PBF and DED), automation and robotic solutions, and advanced laser systems for welding and surface treatments.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Industrial manufacturing companies and component repair sectors

Industry Verticals

["Aerospace","Automotive","Consumer Electronics"]

Competitors

Roboze

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Projected IT spend of $724.6K this year; rebranded to AltForm following acquisition by Sodick; strong growth in APAC region despite pandemic challenges.

Major Milestones

["Acquisition by inkClub in 2019","Partnership with Sodick for global expansion"]

Notable Customers

University of Birmingham

https://www.primaadditive.com

Why this company matters

AltForm (formerly Prima Additive) is an Italian metal additive manufacturing company headquartered in Turin, now majority-owned by the Sodick Group. The company positions itself at the intersection of Italian laser engineering and Japanese precision manufacturing discipline, offering integrated laser processing solutions that span additive, subtractive, and surface treatment technologies.

The company's core hardware includes Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Direct Energy Deposition (DED) systems. Notable products are the Print Genius 150 Double Wavelength LPBF system and the Ianus laser processing robotic cell for DED. AltForm also provides laser remote welding and surface treatments such as laser hardening, targeting industrial customers that need multi-process laser capabilities under one roof.

AltForm serves aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics verticals, with a focus on both new part production and component repair. The University of Birmingham is a named customer. The company's technology portfolio includes patents related to additive processes with localized suction, though specific patent numbers should be treated with caution. Through Sodick, AltForm gains access to Asian, European, and North American markets, and has partnered with Materialise for software integration.

The company's main competitive differentiator is its ability to combine LPBF and DED with automation and traditional laser processes, offering a broader manufacturing toolset than pure-play AM hardware vendors. However, its relatively small scale and reliance on Sodick for global distribution create both strategic alignment and dependency risk. The rebranding from Prima Additive to AltForm signals a deeper integration into the Sodick ecosystem.