ziknes

Ziknes, a Valencia-based company founded in 2021 by Nacho León, Diego Cabañas, and Nacho Serrano, operates in the large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) sector. The founders identified inefficiencies in traditional manufacturing concerning stock management, production times, and raw material costs, which led them to create an integrated solution. The company provides a comprehensive system combining hardware and proprietary software to facilitate the transition from digital design to a physical part using industrial robots for 3D printing.

The firm's business model revolves around selling turnkey solutions that include both hardware and software, targeting a wide range of industries such as construction, automotive, and shipbuilding. Ziknes offers a portfolio of products tailored to different needs. This includes the Z.Pellet for high-performance, large-format manufacturing; the Z.Kompact, a smaller, mobile version for research centers and universities; and a Z.Conversion package that retrofits existing industrial robots into 3D printing systems. The company also provides training and tailored solutions to help clients integrate LFAM technology into their production workflows. Revenue is generated from the sale of these systems and potentially through its white-label software version for other hardware manufacturers.

At the core of Ziknes' offering is its proprietary software, Laminar. This all-in-one platform manages the entire manufacturing process, from slicing the 3D model and generating robotic paths to controlling the printing process in real-time and logging data for traceability. The system is designed to work with a range of thermoplastics, including composites and recycled materials, aligning with a focus on sustainable manufacturing practices. This technology allows for the production of prototypes, molds, and final functional parts with reduced material waste and shorter lead times compared to traditional methods.

Since its inception, Ziknes has secured funding through several rounds, including an initial pre-seed round of €222,000 in October 2021 and a subsequent €1 million Series A round in November 2024. The company is an alumnus of the Demium accelerator and has received investment from Mango's StartUp Studio, which provides financial support and mentorship, particularly in furniture design. These funds are aimed at fueling international expansion into Europe, the U.S., and Asia.

Keywords: large-format additive manufacturing, robotic 3D printing, industrial robots, Laminar software, polymer 3D printing, turnkey manufacturing solutions, sustainable manufacturing, recycled materials, Z.Pellet, Z.Kompact, manufacturing automation, additive manufacturing software, digital manufacturing, industrial technology, prototyping, mold production, Nacho León, Diego Cabañas, Nacho Serrano, Demium, Mango StartUp Studio, Valencia startup