DEEP and Fortius partner to make multi-material AM parts at scale
DEEP Manufacturing and Fortius Metals have begun a collaboration to build a multi-material metal cylinder using DEEP Manufacturing’s synchronised multi-robot wire arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) system, a form of Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology.
The goal is to demonstrate that multi-material metal deposition – combining advanced alloys within a single, continuous build – can be executed with the precision, repeatability and process control that true production environments demand.
This project will demonstrate how multi-material wire arc DED can be scaled toward production, opening new possibilities for manufacturers looking to push the boundaries of what’s achievable with larger, more complex, and higher-performing metal components.
The collaboration builds on DEEP Manufacturing’s recent work scaling synchronised multi-robot WAAM, which identified thermal distortion and toolpath generation as the main barriers to larger, more complex builds and flagged multi-material deposition as a key opportunity – both of which this project sets out to address.
The collaboration is among the first to be announced since DEEP Manufacturing opened its new Houston, USA, facility – a $10 million investment in US capacity aimed at bringing large-format WAAM closer to North American customers and shortening lead times for high-integrity components.
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“Multi-material manufacturing will help transform industries that rely on parts performing in the most demanding environments,” stated Peter Richards, CEO of DEEP Manufacturing. “But getting there takes more than depositing metal. It takes process knowledge, monitoring and control at scale. This project is about proving those capabilities can come together to move hard problems closer to production.”
Jeph Ruppert, CEO at Fortius Metals, added, “By combining simulation, toolpath design and advanced wire with a highly capable printing platform, we can explore what’s genuinely possible for complex parts. Working with DEEP Manufacturing lets us apply our modelling and materials expertise to a real, demanding structure.”
The project will start with test samples and a smaller test cylinder before the main build, scheduled for mid-June to early July 2026. Both companies plan to share updates and visual content at each stage, with a follow-up announcement on completion.
