ANiMA is a Greek company based in Athens that specializes in 3D printing, CAD software and related services. The company was founded in 1991 to help introduce CAD technologies to the Greek market and later on, in 2009, entered the additive manufacturing sector. Since then, has been providing high-quality 3D printing solutions and assistance to customers in various industries.
ANiMA has made some strong partnerships over the years, which helped set up the company’s name both in additive manufacturing and in design software. Autodesk is a global leader in design and make technology and ANiMA’s longest partner. ANiMA is also, a 3D Systems reseller for 14 years, bringing the innovative technology right from their inventors to Greece, Cyprus, Malta and now Romania. Our newest but trusted partnership with ZRapid Technologies, made us the official distributor in Europe, providing a wide variety of SLM and SLA 3D Printing equipment. This step has made it possible to bring professional and industrial 3D Printers, capable of heavy workload, workhorses as we call them, at reasonable prices to help upgrade production efficiency all around Europe.
Interview with Altani Elena, Product Manager of 3D Printers & Costas Andronikidis, General Manager at ANiMA.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Altani Elena & Costas Andronikidis: The main areas of activity of ANiMA include offering industrial & production 3D printing solutions, CAD and engineering information management software and even 3D printing services. The company’s services cater to a variety of industries, including automotive, jewelry, medical, and architecture. ANiMA also provides training and consulting services related to 3D design software.
Our main goal is to provide affordable and reliable solutions that allow the clients to integrate 3D printing in their production, a rather expensive option up to now, and upgrade it to its maximum capacity.
E.E: What is the news about new products?
A.E & C.A: ANiMA is constantly expanding its product range and introducing modern technologies to stay at the forefront of the 3D printing industry. Our newest addition is ZRapid’s iSLM350D, a laser selective melting forming equipment, which incorporates new technologies. The iSLM350D is a big, but affordable 3D printer, designed to address 3D Printing industry’s main pain point; to help enterprises reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve print quality without spending enormous amounts of money.
Another incorporation into our range of 3D Printers, this time specifically for professional jewelry production, is 3D Systems MJP 2500W Plus. A high-performance 3D Printer, the ProJet MJP 2500W is a 100% wax patterns printer, designed for professional jewelry use.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
A.E & C.A: ANiMA’s product range includes a wide variety of desktop, professional and production 3D printers, focusing especially on metal, using SLM and DED technologies. We also offer SLA prototyping, SLS and the traditional cost-effective FDM machines. To complete our portfolio, ANiMA provides its customers with 3D printing materials, including plastic and metal, such as filaments, resin and powders.
Let’s not forget to mention our 3D printing services using SLM, SLA, SLS and FDM technologies in a diverse range of materials. In our web site one can find the ANiMAke online order tool, which provides direct costing of the order to be printed. Finally, our design software business offers customized solutions to meet the unique needs of its clients.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
A.E & C.A: The 3D printing market in Greece is still in its early stages, but there is a growing interest in the technology across a range of industries. ANiMA is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and has already established itself as a trusted provider of 3D printing services in Greece, in Cyprus and making its steps to Europe. 2022 was also the first year that ANiMA participated as exhibitor in Formnext Additive Manufacturing Expo, as a distributor of ZRapid Technologies.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
A.E & C.A: Market trends in the 3D printing industry are focused on expanding the range of materials that can be printed, improving print quality and speed, while reducing costs. Although ANiMA is trying to keep up with these trends, we are more invested in democratization of industrial 3D printing, making advanced 3D printing technology more widely accessible and affordable to businesses and individuals.
Industrial 3D printing was perceived as expensive and niche and was dominated by expensive, high-end printers with associated software and materials. However, in ANiMA we are focusing on offering good quality, open material printers, at low cost and most importantly, including direct support from our certified technicians.
Our vision is to enable small and medium-sized businesses to adopt quality 3D printing technology and use it for rapid prototyping, low-volume production, and customization.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
A.E & C.A: ANiMA has offered various innovative products such as Meltio engine and integration, a direct energy deposition technology (DED) print head that can be incorporated in both CNC and robot arm.
However, when we talk about innovation, we often think of breakthrough technologies. Innovation can also refer to accessibility of products, which can have a significant impact on their wider adoption. Grasping on this trend, we are innovating in a way, in price point, offering more affordable 3D printing technology and making it accessible to a wider range of users, that could not afford it prior.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
A.E & C.A: ANiMA expects to see a challenging year but we are optimistic that overall, we’ll achieve significant growth in Greece and beyond. Our company is currently expanding its premises, preparing a brand-new production facility and a showroom, expected to be ready by the end of spring.
Additionally, we are developing an R&D lab to further explore and test 3D printing technologies. As ANiMA already participates in an EU funded project, this will take the experimentation a step further and break the ground for more opportunities to come.
We are confident that we will continue to be a leading force in the Greek 3D printing market and are excited about the future that lies ahead.
