FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY
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The Cerberus hybrid manufacturing system
NEW HYBRID MANUFACTURING SYSTEM OFFERS FAST DEPLOYMENT IN ISOLATED AREAS
A CNC and 3D printing machine that is operational in just 25 minutes has been developed by Rapid Fusion. This hybrid
manufacturing system is suitable for use in areas ranging from arctic oil platforms to desert bases
R
apid Fusion – the company behind the Apollo and Medusa robots – has developed Cerberus, a hybrid manufacturing system
that can be set-up in just 25 minutes. This purpose-built containerised manufacturing solution is intended for use in isolated areas, from arctic oil platforms and desert forward bases to disaster zones and remote construction sites. It is design for rapid deployment, and offers rugged operation and high performance. Martin Jewell, chief technical officer, takes up
the story: “We had been in talks with a number of defence companies about the possibility of developing a system that produces military grade components anywhere in the world. “This got us thinking. Being able to deploy
quickly was a key requirement so we’ve taken the functionality and technology of Medusa and adapted it into a new system that is containerised and can be set-up anywhere in the world – in just 25 minutes.”
PERFORMANCE Cerberus provides access to a build volume of 1200mm3
with a pellet throughput of up to 17kg
per hour and 3kW of continuous spindle power, ideal for both 3D printing and CNC machining. It thrives, the company explains, on supply chain independence, where resupply could be in months and not days. With this in mind, the system offers bulk material compatibility so any local polymers can be used, benefits from dual independent heads to ensure zero downtime, and operates up to 500˚C for advanced composite production. To operate the system, a single power 5-pin
commando socket is all that is required, with Cerberus coming with its own self-levelling system to compensate for uneven terrain and automated start-up sequence for system verification and calibration. Jewell, who completed three tours of Afghanistan as part of ten years spent in the Royal Engineers, continued: “The system has been
20 DESIGN SOLUTIONS NOVEMBER 2025
designed to deliver reliable performance in demanding, high-tempo environments – always built with operational resilience in mind. “We’ve developed several modular
enhancements that buyers can choose from to make the system energy independent, achieve compressed air where none is available, and access intelligence anywhere through Bob, our AI powered operating system.” Jake Hand, CEO of Rapid Fusion, added:
“There are lots of deployment scenarios where Cerberus can make a real difference. We initially looked at how it would work in producing replacement parts for military and defence or creating custom tooling and fixtures. “It then broadened out to disaster response and the ability to make medical supplies quickly, and eliminating helicopter logistics for polymer parts used in oil and gas. The reality is there are many more scenarios where our technology can be used.”
COMPONENT MANUFACTURING “The initial feedback on Cerberus has been phenomenal and we believe we have a hybrid manufacturing machine that can make components used in rescue drones, safety critical parts for oil and gas, and replacements bits for vehicles operating in intense conditions,” concluded Jewell. Cerberus was demonstrated for the first time at Formnext this November.
Rapid Fusion
www.rapidfusion.co.uk
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