The assistant, named Bob (Base of Build), promises to make complex printing tasks easier, more reliable, and highly efficient for industries including automotive, aerospace, construction, medical, and defence.
Smarter Printing with Artificial Intelligence
After eight months of development and live testing, the AI assistant is being rolled out to clients. Its core benefits include:
- Easier operator control
- Reduced downtime with preventative maintenance
- Greater efficiency through predictive settings
Pre-Loaded Knowledge Bank for 3D Printing
Bob comes with one of the largest collections of 3D printing expertise, available in both secure online/cloud-connected and offline/air-gapped configurations. This ensures flexibility for IP-sensitive and military clients.
Optimising Robotic Additive Manufacturing Systems
The AI 3D printing assistant integrates seamlessly with Rapid Fusion’s existing systems, including Apollo, Zeus, and the Medusa hybrid 3D gantry printer. By analysing over 1,000 different printing parameters, Bob recommends best-in-class settings for more than 100 different components.
Smart Features to Improve Efficiency
Key intelligent features include:
- Smart extrusion readiness → analyses live temperatures across heating zones for stability.
- Material-aware intelligence → covers composites, polymers, and mould tools.
- Task completion orchestrator → interprets simple and complex commands for accurate execution.
- AI temperature command handler → automates multi-step processes for material and temperature optimisation.
Designed for Accessibility and Scalability
The assistant has a modern user interface, supports universal integration, and is available with both OpenAI-powered and locally hosted AI agents. It enables two levels of use:
- Super users such as universities and partners for continuous iteration.
- Standard users, with rollout expected in early 2026.
The Future of Smart 3D Printing
With its feature-rich capabilities, the AI 3D printing assistant represents a major step forward in additive manufacturing. By cutting downtime, boosting efficiency, and opening access to all levels of operators, Rapid Fusion is ushering in a new era of smart 3D printing.
