AltForm

HardwareTurin, ItalyFounded 2015· One of 1725 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

LPBF Print 100/200/300/400 Series (Sharp/Genius/Brilliance; Print Blue 100 blue laser); ZENIT Cell (powder/wire DED, WAAM, remote welding, hardening); Rapid Coating Cell; AI software, materials, automation.

Technological Advantage

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

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Integrated metal AM (PBF and DED) and advanced laser systems with automation, software, and services that industrialize production beyond prototyping.

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, Energy Oil & Gas, Medical, Universities and Research

Competitors

EOS; Nikon SLM Solutions

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Rebranded to AltForm (Nov 2025) after Sodick majority acquisition (May 2025); expanding global reach via Sodick network (Europe, NA, Asia); active trade-show pipeline (RAPID+TCT, EuroBrake, SAHA Expo 2026).

Major Milestones

2015 R&D start within Prima Industrie (Borealis), 2018 brand launch, 2022 spin-off/merger with 3D-NT as Prima Additive Srl, 2024 Sodick minority stake, 2025-05 Sodick majority acquisition, 2025-11 rebrand to AltForm

Notable Customers

University of Birmingham

https://www.primaadditive.com

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

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.