Jean-Jacques Degroof grew up in Belgium and later moved to the United States to advance his education. An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he has served in academia, financial services, and venture investment. In line with his interest in transformative technologies, Jean-Jacques Degroof considers VulcanForms Inc. as a good example of a venture successfully bridging the gap between an academic lab and the market.
VulcanForms, founded by MIT professor John Hart and Martin C. Feldmann, a 2014 MIT graduate in mechanical engineering, has embraced additive manufacturing technology to actualize industrial 3D printing. The company has ventured into digital manufacturing to assist companies that want to tap into modern technologies that can assist them in revolutionizing their manufacturing processes. Previously, companies have had to invest a lot of money to acquire the latest 3D printing machines and find ways to incorporate them into their businesses.
The technology involves the use of a 3D laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) printer that relies on laser beams to generate quality and complex metal parts. The printers work together with VulcanForms’ robotics, machining, and post-processing equipment on a digital platform that monitors the production process. According to Mr. Hart, VulcanForms has discovered the untapped potential of LPBF on an industrial scale, especially when integrated with a digital production system.
Currently, the company produces parts for clients in the aerospace, military, medical, and semiconductor sectors. The company is developing its first two digital manufacturing plants in Devens and Newburyport in Massachusetts. When completed, the Devens facility will host VulcanForms additive manufacturing systems and postprocessing capabilities, while Newburyport facility will deal with industrial automation, precision machining, and assembly operations.
