“GIGTANK 365” participant Collider focused on 3D printing breakthroughs
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second article in a seven-part series leading up to the “GIGTANK 365 Accelerator Pitch Night” July 27 in Chattanooga. To register, click here.)
By Tom Ballard, Chief Alliance Officer, PYA
Graham Bredemeyer moved to Chattanooga two years ago to join the team at CO.LAB as the Technologist-in-Residence, and he is now one of the participants in the latest cohort in the organization’s “GIGTANK 365” accelerator.
The former resident of Ft. Wayne, IN says he “started experimenting with it (3D printing) in high school. I was super-interested.” Over the last few years of consulting and other work, Bredemeyer says he had “serious exposure to all types of 3D printing.”
Now, the Founder of Collider is applying everything he’s learned in what CO.LAB Executive Director Mike Bradshaw describes as a “revolutionary take on 3D printing.”
Bredemeyer characterizes the approach his start-up is taking as a hybrid process – part 3D printing and part traditional manufacturing. The overall goal is to address three limitations – processes that were too slow, too expensive, and not inclusive of traditional materials.
“We want to develop mechanisms to enable new materials, new levels of quality, and new speeds,” Bredemeyer explains.
While he was reluctant to provide too much information for the patent pending process, Bredemeyer did say that Collider’s approach does not involve “a layer-build cycle.” The result is a much faster process.
“We do it really fast . . . more than 100 times faster than traditional technology,” he said. The result is production quality 3D printing at production run speeds.
Right now, Collider is focused on small runs – 200 to 2,000 parts.
“We’re not trying to replace injection molding,” Bredemeyer explains, but adds that he is exploring larger runs with some partners.
“This is not just a change in technology, but a whole shift in the business model,” he adds. The start-up has already secured some investment, has six pilot partners, and five employees.
As Bredemeyer pitches on July 27, his goal is to raise additional capital to be able to add at least four engineers in the near future, growing soon to a 15-member team.
