A fast-growing company that is transforming the world of additive manufacturing has secured its first ever King's Award for Enterprise.
RYSE 3D, which was formed by Mitchell Barnes in 2017 after printing 3D models for fellow University students, has been recognised for its commitment to ‘Innovation' after developing 3D printed mould tools that allow UK manufacturers to compete with low-cost overseas operations.
The solution involves developing new materials that work with the additive manufacturing process to create moulds that can be used to make components in production volumes.
This innovation, which was carried out in partnership with several automotive OEMs, has significantly reduced tooling costs for companies and provides faster turnaround times – in some cases as quick as a few days.
It has also ensured that the Shipston-on-Stour firm is able to produce components for 18 of the world's Hypercar projects, helping it accelerate turnover towards £4m this year.
"This has been some journey. From replacing my mum's washing machines in the garage with a few DIY 3D printers to create models at university, to setting up a world class 3D printing factory in Warwickshire and winning one of the hardest to achieve business awards in the world,"
explained Mitchell Barnes, founder and one of the youngest Managing Directors to achieve the King's Award.
"We pride ourselves on disrupting the marketplace and this has seen us win a string of new contracts across the world, printing production performance components for some of the world's most renowned OEMs."
He continued: "40% of our work is now going overseas and this figure is set to grow, with interest coming from five different continents.
"The King's Award for Enterprise will help reinforce this international expansion and will certainly open new doors for us when pitching to large OEMs, car makers and potential customers in aviation, renewables and the MedTech sector.
"It's also a massive external ‘well done' to our 14-strong workforce. We've had to grow quickly and some of our staff have been taken from coffee shops and local bars and trained into skilled engineers on the job. This Award is for them more than anyone else."
RYSE 3D offers customers next or same day production and prototype solutions, with structured advice and support.
Its additive manufacturing technologies, such as MJF, SLS, SLA and FDM, use amazing materials, such as plant-based engineering grade nylon that is made from 100% castor beans. This offers a long service life and fits perfectly with the company's eco-conscious strategy.
Parts can be as small as 1mm x 1mm and go as large as the customer requires thanks to the firm's 100% same material part fusing process.
With large investment in post-production facilities and the ability to produce textured finishes, RYSE 3D has also been able to create a finished product that is used in a wide variety of discerning vehicle interiors seen around the world.
Mitchell concluded: "We want to keep disrupting this space and will shortly be bringing our own 3D printers – design and built in Warwickshire - to market."