Waste reduction and efficiency are at the core of Fortify, a 3D-printing startup founded in a Northeastern University lab four years ago.
Working with an assistant professor at Northeastern’s College of Engineering and four other researchers and students in the space, CEO and co-founder Joshua Martin set out to fix inherent weaknesses in the field of 3D printing by exploring new materials. The team ultimately found a way to print better materials: by using magnets.
“[Professor Randall Erb] really pioneered this method of wirelessly assembling materials,” Martin said. “He was able to develop a process and a materials technology that allowed for that to be done just using magnetic fields that weren’t very high. In some cases, they’re magnetic fields similar to the strength of a refrigerator magnet.”
Martin’s first interaction with a 3D-printed prototype took place many years ago — and it was a teaching moment for him. Within three seconds of handling the prototype, Martin broke it.
He soon learned that his experience wasn’t uncommon. 3D printing materials were, in Martin’s opinion, “limited in some core, fundamental ways: namely, the materials were not functional,” he said.
Under Erb’s leadership, Martin and his friends began working with aerospace-grade composites, high-performance materials that got them thinking about the future of 3D printing. (Erb, who is on sabbatical, is part of Fortify’s six-member founding team.)
The team created machines that can handle high-value materials and an internal software to accelerate the design and quality component of manufacturing.
“The problem we really wanted to solve [was], how do you 3D print with a material that can be used in either an automotive application or an electronic device application instead of being limited to prototyping materials?” Martin said. “Most people interact with 3D printing by some kind of replica or a toy that's printed, versus something that's expected to have some level of performance beyond just looking nice.”
The startup took off in 2018 when it won the MassChallenge Gold Award of $50,000. A year later, the company was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in manufacturing.
Fortify’s technology has been used by organized equipment manufacturers. Now, the team is hoping to expand by working with contract manufacturers responsible for manufacturing parts to scale.
Fortify, which is one of BostInno’s 2020 Inno on Fire, has also played a key role in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. This spring, Fortify began producing adapters that converted BIPAP machines into functional ventilators for patients in critical condition. The startup also produced personal protective equipment (PPE) for Boston-area health care workers.
Martin said clinicians and nonprofits searching for PPE found that working with Fortify allowed them to overcome potentially burdensome FDA approval hurdles.
“In some cases, we work on directly printing prototypes for that part or connecting them to some of our suppliers who may be able to help accelerate the manufacturing timeline,” Martin said. “Typically, it takes weeks to get your hands on parts that we were able to manufacture in a number of days.”
Martin said the team has been able to thrive during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite in-person trade shows being cancelled — a common way for 3D-printing companies to demonstrate their abilities to potential customers. Fortify also released its first commercial product this year: the FLUX ONE 3D printer.
Digital marketing campaigns have helped the startup spread the word in this difficult time. Martin said his team has been very agile and hit its milestones.
“We've been able to show we can take our differentiated technology platform and provide value, even during the Covid pandemic,” Martin said.
Fortify is one of BostInno’s 2020 Inno on Fire. Celebrate Fortify and the other winners at our virtual awards ceremony Dec. 3. Register here.
Jordan Frias is a contributing writer for BostInno.
