Metal 3D Printer Democratizes Prototyping
A new €10,000 LPBF metal 3D printer, MetalBase, democratizes hardware prototyping for engineers. This allows faster sensor housing and custom edge device development. Starboard's R&D teams can use devices like this to shorten iteration cycles for field-deployable sensor fusion hardware.
The MetalBase LPBF machine, created by ASML engineer Dr. Ir. Daan Kersten, reduces the cost barrier for metal 3D printing, previously prohibitive for many smaller firms and R&D departments. Kersten's prior experience includes co-founding Additive Industries, indicating a deep understanding of the metal additive manufacturing landscape. The lower price point is achieved without sacrificing precision; MetalBase maintains a 40μm printing resolution. This level of detail is sufficient for producing functional prototypes and end-use parts, making it suitable for applications beyond just initial design validation. Early adopters are likely to include university research labs and startups focused on custom hardware solutions. The machine's affordability allows these entities to iterate more quickly on designs and bring products to market faster, accelerating innovation cycles.
