A manufacturing technology company, Freeform, has secured $67 million in a Series B funding round. The capital infusion is intended to scale the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence and laser-based production systems. The funding was announced this week, with the round led by venture capital firm 7GC.
The company’s technology centers on using AI software to control high-powered lasers that 3D print metal parts. This approach, known as additive manufacturing, allows for the creation of complex components directly from digital designs. Freeform states that its process is significantly faster and more efficient than traditional manufacturing methods for certain applications.
On-Site AI Compute Power
A distinctive aspect of Freeform’s operation is its integration of advanced computing hardware directly within its production facilities. The company has installed clusters of NVIDIA H200 Tensor Core GPUs in on-site data centers. These processors are typically used for training large AI models.
In a statement, a company representative highlighted this setup, noting, “I think we’re the only quote-unquote manufacturing company out there that has H200 clusters in a data center on site.” This infrastructure allows the AI controlling the lasers to process vast amounts of sensor data in real-time, optimizing the manufacturing process.
Investor Confidence and Market Position
The substantial Series B round signals strong investor belief in Freeform’s technical approach and market potential. The funding will be used to expand production capacity, accelerate research and development, and grow the engineering team. 7GC was joined by several other investors in the round, though their names were not immediately disclosed.
Freeform operates in the competitive advanced manufacturing sector, aiming to serve industries such as aerospace, defense, and automotive. These fields often require high-performance, custom metal parts that are difficult or costly to make with conventional techniques like casting or machining.
Technical and Industry Implications
The convergence of AI, high-performance computing, and industrial hardware represents a notable trend in modern manufacturing. By bringing AI compute to the factory floor, Freeform aims to minimize latency, enabling instantaneous adjustments during production. This can lead to higher quality parts, less material waste, and the ability to manufacture geometries previously considered impossible.
Industry analysts observe that such technologies could reshape supply chains by enabling more localized, on-demand production of critical components. This reduces the need for large inventories and long-distance shipping of specialized parts.
The company is expected to deploy the new capital over the next 18 to 24 months. Key milestones include the commissioning of additional production lines and the pursuit of new commercial partnerships with major industrial firms. Freeform’s progress will be closely watched as a test case for the large-scale integration of AI-driven hardware in a physical manufacturing environment.
Source: Company Announcement, GeekWire
