The architecture, engineering, and construction industries involve giant concrete molds that are expensive, slow to manufacture, and often only used a few times before disposal. Robots-as-a-service startup SAEKI says its tech makes creating these molds faster and more cost-efficient.
The Lupfig, Switzerland-based company is building what it says will be fully automated plants with industrial robots that use 3D tech to create components like aircraft wings and construction site installations.
SAEKI launched from stealth today with $2.3 million in seed funding led by Wingman Ventures and participation from Vento Ventures, Getty Capital, and angel investors.
It is building its first production hub, with industrial robots capable of combining digital manufacturing methods, including 3D printing, milling, and inspection. SAEKI says the robots each act as “micro-factories,” which means they are self-contained units that can do all manufacturing steps.
SAEKI was founded in 2021 by Andrea Perissinotto, Oliver Harley, and Matthias Leschok. Perissinotto told TechCrunch he became interested in manufacturing as a child, learning metalworking at his uncle’s workshop and building his first 3D printer when he was 12.
He met Harley while building a giant 3D printer for the maker space at ETH Zurich, where they were both studying, and they began working with Leschok to combine 3D printing and industrial robots.
The three were completing their studies during the pandemic when Perissinotto decided he wanted to leave academia and become an entrepreneur. SAEKI was founded in February 2021 to combine robotics with 3D printing, machining, and inspection.
During that process, Perissinotto said he and his co-workers learned that 3D printing for large items, like wind turbine blades, airplane, and car parts, was still early in development and still needed to be at industry quality and scale. They decided to focus their new startup on the issue by creating fully automated factories with independent robotic cells that customers can book.
SAEKI produces the significant components needed by industries like construction, aerospace, and automotive without retooling their machines. This is a time- and cost-saving advantage for members only used a few times during the building and manufacturing.
For example, when constructing buildings out of concrete, builders first need a mold called a “formwork.” Special formwork must be created from scratch unless used for something standard, like a flat wall or ceiling. Typically, they are built by hand out of wood and scrapped after the building is completed.
SAEKI’s solution is to use recyclable thermoplastics that are 3D printed, processed by one of its robots, and delivered to construction sites.
It also plans to work with the composites industry, which builds the lightweight but strong parts found on airplanes, cars, and bikes, among other things. These parts are usually made in complex molds created from metal or composite materials.
Perissinotto said this creates a bottleneck for companies because the molds are expensive and need a long time to build. SAEKI aims to reduce lead time costs and use its tooling processes to enable companies in the composites industry to have faster hardware production cycles.
Since SAEKI’s robots act as “micro-factories,” customers do not have to purchase another new machine or take up more floor space in their facilities. Perissinotto said this is why SAEKI decided to use a robots-as-a-service business model since that allows customers to purchase the time they need with a machine.
SAEKI is working on exciting new pilot projects in the AEC industry! They provide 3D-printed formwork to help construction companies, pre-casters, interior designers, and architects create custom concrete elements. It’s an innovative approach, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
Perissinotto said SAEKI is already generating revenue because of its pilot projects. It is building its first factory in Switzerland. Still, its robots are already operational and have produced parts for the last few months.
In terms of competition, Perissinotto said additive manufacturing had been a “prominent topic” for years now. Even though there has been a significant advancement in tech, market acceptance has yet to fully match that progress due mainly to the cost of the machinery involved.
Even though additive manufacturing has gained some traction in the industrial market, it is still in the early stages when it comes to large-scale applications, he added. Companies that offer machines for large-scale additive manufacturing include CEAD B.V., Caracol AM, and Therwood Inc. Still, Perissinotto said SAEKI’s customers want a different approach.
“What we consistently hear from people and companies is a desire for faster, more sustainable solutions for their parts,” he said. “Merely offering savings through a multi-million dollar machine that requires extensive space and additional resources, including hiring personnel well-versed in new processes and materials, is not appealing to them.”
FAQs
Q: What exactly are SAEKI’s “micro-factories”?
A: SAEKI’s “micro-factories” are like mini manufacturing units that are easy to set up and use within a larger manufacturing plant.
Q: How do SAEKI’s “micro-factories” benefit large manufacturing companies?
A: SAEKI’s “micro-factories” provide a more adaptable and efficient manufacturing process that helps large companies increase their production without the added hassle and expense of expanding their facilities.
Q: Can SAEKI’s “micro-factories” produce various products?
A: SAEKI’s “micro-factories” are versatile and can produce various products, from electronics to medical devices. They can even be tailored to suit specific manufacturing needs.
Q: How do SAEKI’s “micro-factories” compare to traditional manufacturing methods?
A: SAEKI has developed a great idea – their “micro-factories” are efficient and eco-friendly! Using streamlined and automated processes can decrease waste compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
