PrintSky, which is 51% owned by Sogeclair and 49% by AddUp, aims to provide its Aerospace, Space and Defense customers with an additive manufacturing technology platform that provides access to design, certification and validation services, prototypes and pre-series manufacturing to demonstrate "proof of concept" so that the customer will have all the required data for series production.

This global offer is intended to be distinct:

-Sogeclair's skills in designing optimized solutions, adapted to additive technologies that meet the requirements of the Aeronautics, Space and Defense sectors, in which Sogeclair has been recognized by its customers for more than 30 years with.

-AddUp's industrial know-how in metallic additive manufacturing technologies through the experience gained by its founders and current shareholders, Fives and Michelin.

-The pooling of the respective capacities of Sogeclair and AddUp to propose high-performance and scalable production ready additive solutions.

The ambition: to become a key player in the Aeronautics, Space and Defense sectors to design, optimize and produce prototypes in additive manufacturing capable of future industrial production.

The PrintSky platform based in Toulouse will offer a modular solution that can:

-Aid the selection of parts eligible for additive manufacture ("creative event"),

-Construct a business case according to the material and the selected technology most suited to the

customer's need (Laser powder or electron beam, and potentially other technologies ...),

-Optimize and customize the design including Topological Optimization,

-Support qualification and certification,

-Manufacture prototypes and pre-production sample for proof of concept,

-Deliver all the parameters and know-how necessary for the launch of the series production for the

future operators.

To ensure total transparency, PrintSky will include the customer at every stage of product development.

In more details,

The "proof of concept" activity is intended to demonstrate the technical, economic and industrial feasibility of these solutions on behalf of the customers of the Joint Venture and to validate all parameters for series production irrespective of location and the customer’s chosen partner to print the parts.

In terms of production of the first parts for proof of concept, the production activity is limited to the capacity to operate a machine per year, per customer and per technology.

The business case is based on the following additive manufacturing technologies:

-existing: laser powder / electron beam bed (or even other technologies)

-under development at AddUP and in future development (as part of the SOFIA R & D program)

The main materials used are: Titanium, Inconel, Aluminum, ...

The initial target market is European aeronautics, space and defense companies but we would be happy to discuss opportunities in the rest of the world.

The activity will be based in a facility in Toulouse. Additional geographical locations could be developed depending on market demand.