Adaptive Additive Manufacturing and Volumetric 3D Printing Combined in New APES and Manifest Technologies Partnership

DETROIT, Mich., April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Printed Electronic Solutions (APES) and Manifest Technologies have announced at the RAPID+TCT event in Detroit, Mich., a strategic partnership to integrate volumetric additive manufacturing (AM) into the new Matrix6D high-throughput adaptive AM platform from APES—unlocking a new era of high-speed, support-free 3D printing within a scalable, reconfigurable factory architecture.

The collaboration leverages Manifest Technologies' novel cone-beam volumetric printing process, which uses a single cone of light and XY rastering to solidify entire 3D objects without layers, supports, or rotation. Unlike traditional volumetric systems, Manifest's technology is designed as a toolhead module—making it uniquely suited to plug into the Matrix6D's modular, swarm-like adaptive AM environment.

"By embedding volumetric AM as a native tool station, Matrix6D enhances its ability to rapidly generate complex substrates utilized within printed electronics, additive PCBs, optical components, and numerous other commercial applications with unprecedented throughput," said Rich Neill, CEO of APES. "Manifest's technology unlocks a new level of fabrication velocity and scalability—precisely what's needed to move AM applications from prototype status into true production."

Matrix6D's architecture uses magnetically levitated build platforms that autonomously shuttle between configurable tool stations. Each station can host additive, subtractive, or post-processing tools. Manifest's cone-beam module—designed as a compact, resin-based light engine—enables rapid fabrication of transparent, high-viscosity materials in a matter of seconds, without requiring rotating vats or dual-wavelength chemistry.

"Our technology sidesteps many of the limitations of layer-by-layer printing, making it a strong fit for the future of digital manufacturing," said Camila Uzcategui, CEO of Manifest Technologies. "With APES, we're building a flexible production platform that early adopters can use to create next-generation medical devices, electronics, circuit boards, and optics."

Unlike traditional 3D printers, Manifest's module does not rely on static machines. Instead, the company plans to license its volumetric toolhead—branded as an "evaluation module"—so customers can integrate it into custom or hybrid platforms, including future assembly lines. This plug-and-play approach aligns with Matrix6D's modular tool station flexibility and software-defined factory vision, allowing workflows to scale and reconfigure dynamically on-demand.

Together, APES and Manifest are targeting early adopters in printed electronics, high-performance optics, and medical devices. In addition to enabling faster substrate generation, the platform is being explored for overprinting metal components and embedding electronics within complex geometries—use cases that have been largely out of reach for traditional photopolymer systems.

For more information on APES and Matrix6D, or to schedule a meeting at RAPID + TCT, contact [email protected] or 646-640-6869, or visit booth 1325. For more information on Manifest Technologies and its evaluation module, or to schedule a meeting at RAPID + TCT, contact [email protected] or visit booth 3443.

About Advanced Printed Electronic Solutions (APES)
APES is a technology company focused on next-generation manufacturing solutions at the intersection of additive electronics, precision robotics, and adaptive software. With a background in application engineering and deep partnerships in advanced R&D, APES develops scalable solutions that turn additive manufacturing from a prototyping tool into a true production platform.

About Manifest Technologies
Manifest Technologies is reimagining additive manufacturing with its groundbreaking Parallax Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (P-VAM) platform. By instantly forming complete, fully solid parts using precision-controlled multidimensional light, Manifest eliminates layers, supports, and even the printer form factor which constrain traditional 3D printing. Our open, adaptable platform enables manufacturers to unlock previously impossible designs, embed electronics seamlessly, and integrate continuous additive production directly into existing manufacturing lines. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Manifest is empowering innovators to Manifest Different—accelerating the creation of next-generation products and transforming how industries bring bold ideas into reality. To learn more, visit www.manifest.tech.

SOURCE Advanced Printed Electronic Solutions