The nautical industry is celebrating a revolutionary technological milestone thanks to the collaboration between V2 Group, a Spanish company specializing in the design, engineering, and large-format 3D printing for nautical and naval applications, and Caracol AM, an Italian leader in advanced large-format 3D printing technologies. Together, they have successfully developed the first functional 6-meter-long monolithic catamaran for open waters. This boat was produced using robotic 3D printing technology and aimed at developing a product that can be industrialized and scaled, attentively researching the full process: from design to materials, to production and post-processing with the requirements needed by the naval industry.
A decisive step toward sustainability, efficiency, and industrialization
Large-format 3D printing technology is transforming the nautical sector by offering competitive advantages such as highly customizable designs, efficient material usage, and a significant reduction in environmental impact.
This boat is a tangible example of how advanced 3D printing processes can accelerate production times, minimize material waste, and enable the creation of high-quality floating structures and boats tailored to the growing demands of a global market.
Notably, this project was conceived with a long-term vision, meticulously analyzing every step of the process to lay the groundwork for future industrialization of such boats. From material selection to the optimization of printing times, assembly, and testing, every aspect has been carefully refined to identify the key elements needed to scale production efficiently, sustainably, and economically. This strategic approach is crucial for turning this technology into a widely applicable solution in the nautical sector.
A promising future for the nautical industry
This achievement not only demonstrates the feasibility of robotic large-format 3D printing but also establishes the foundation for a new era in the manufacturing of boats and nautical components.
V2 Group and Caracol AM are committed to the continuous improvement of this manufacturing approach to broaden its applications in this sector, including transitioning toward the industrialization of the process. This will pave the way for a more scalable, sustainable, and accessible production model within the sector.
The collaboration between these two European companies strengthens their leadership in nautical and naval innovation, positioning 3D printing as a key solution to tackle the future challenges of the industry. With a clear focus on industrialization, the potential of this technology to transform nautical production is virtually limitless.
About CARACOL
CARACOL was founded in 2017 in Milan, Italy, with the vision of pushing the limits of additive manufacturing in terms of scale, efficiency, and sustainability. The company accomplished this by developing an integrated technological platform, including both hardware and software, to produce advanced large-scale components. Through the integration of a patented extrusion head, the development of dedicated software – Eidos Manufacturing, and the use of robotic arms as movement support, Caracol offers additive manufacturing technology for advanced components for customers in industries such as aerospace, marine, energy, design, and architecture. Heron AM manufactures parts such as jigs and molds for aircraft components, finished parts for yacht and boat superstructures, or revolutionary projects to initiate virtuous circular economy processes for the energy or design sectors. Vipra AM is the latest launched LFAM system to produce large-scale metal applications in the most demanding industries such as aerospace, energy, construction and shipbuilding. Today, the company has opened the largest LFAM production center in Europe, a production facility in Austin (TX), USA opened in August 2023, and a commercial office in Dubai, has a core team of over 80 international professionals with highly specialized competences, in areas such as mechanical engineering, automation, computational design, design for additive, and advanced manufacturing processes.
About V2 GROUP
V2 Group is a Spanish company dedicated to manufacturing components and boats using 3D printing technologies. Born as a startup, it is currently in the midst of a funding round to raise capital that will enable it to scale its business to the next level.
