MetalFab 420K Additive Manufacturing System Goes into Production, Stoke Space Becomes First Customer

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November 14, 2025 Applications 9880

Stoke Space's Nova launch vehicle has reached orbit

Dutch-based industrial metal 3D printer developer Additive Industries has confirmed that Stoke Space will become the first production customer for the new MetalFab 420K system. This follows a six-month testing program completed at Stoke Space's facility in Kent, Washington, where engineers evaluated one of the first 420K units produced. The system was installed in May 2025 to manufacture complex components for Stoke Space's reusable launch vehicles.

U.S. aerospace company Stoke Space, dedicated to developing fully and rapidly reusable orbital rockets, collaborated closely with Additive Industries' R&D team throughout the evaluation process. The MetalFab 420K, equipped with four 1kW full-field lasers, is an upgraded version of the earlier MetalFab G2 platform, specifically designed for advanced additive manufacturing environments requiring high precision and consistency.

"Additive manufacturing plays a critical role in our fabrication and production efforts," said Kunal Naik, Senior Additive Manufacturing Manager at Stoke Space. "The MetalFab 420K delivers the productivity, precision, and reliability we need to rapidly transition from design iterations to flight hardware. Throughout the testing program, Additive Industries has been a strong partner, and this collaboration demonstrates our confidence in the system's production readiness."

Following the trial, Stoke Space purchased five MetalFab 420K systems to expand its in-house production capacity. This investment enhances their additive manufacturing infrastructure in preparation for upcoming Nova rocket milestones, while enabling Additive Industries to deploy its latest platform in high-demand industries.

"We are incredibly proud that Stoke Space continues to trust Additive Industries' MetalFab technology," said CEO Mark Massey. "The 420K system was designed and developed precisely for this type of customer and application, and we're thrilled to see innovative companies like Stoke Space adopting our technology for production."

Headquartered in Eindhoven, Additive Industries specializes in large-format automated metal 3D printing systems for continuous industrial applications. The MetalFab series integrates powder handling, modular build unit exchange, and inline calibration to minimize downtime while ensuring safety and sustainability. The MetalFab 420K further expands these capabilities with higher laser power and parallel processing to meet the demands of aerospace, energy, and high-tech manufacturing sectors.

Stoke Space's Nova rocket program relies on rapid design iterations and short manufacturing cycles. Funded by the U.S. Space Force, Defense Innovation Unit, NASA, and National Science Foundation, the company is developing a fully reusable launch system intended to operate with aircraft-like frequency. Additive manufacturing enables Stoke Space to consolidate components, optimize cooling channels, and accelerate testing while minimizing material waste.

With the beta program completed and multiple 420K units operational, Additive Industries has transitioned the system from R&D to full commercial deployment. Stoke Space's adoption marks the first operational validation of the 4kW laser configuration, confirming its readiness for broader industrial applications. Both companies plan to refine system performance using feedback collected during volume production.

MetalFab420K