At the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024 in Chicago, Domin CEO, Marcus Pont, sat down with Cathy Ma to share insights into how metal 3D printing is revolutionising hydraulics. Representing Domin on the global stage, Marcus shared the company’s remarkable journey and groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping industries.
During the event, Marcus joined Cathy for an in-depth conversation in the Creators Lounge, discussing Domin’s mission, its origins, and the potential of additive manufacturing to disrupt traditional hydraulic systems.
“Hydraulics touches nearly every industry, yet it has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s. With metal 3D printing, we saw an opportunity to bring innovation to this vital sector,” Marcus explained during the interview.
Founded 12 years ago with a commitment to making a meaningful impact, Domin embraced metal 3D printing as a core technology. By rethinking hydraulic design from the ground up, the company has developed two game-changing technologies:
Highly Responsive Hydraulic Control Valves: Controlling the motion of fluid hydraulic fluid in ways not seen before, delivering unparalleled precision and repeatability.
Efficient Hydraulic Pumps: Compact, energy-efficient, and designed to integrate seamlessly across diverse industries.
Marcus highlighted the wider potential of these innovations, noting a McKinsey report estimating that fluid pumps consume 15% of the EU’s energy, paired with research showing hydraulic systems average only 22% efficiency. Domin aims to unlock that 70% of wasted energy and enable industries across aerospace, marine, automotive and industrial sectors to use it better. With our technology, whole hydraulic systems are able to be lighter, more efficient, and tailored to optimise fluid dynamics in ways previously thought impossible.
When addressing concerns about the strength and reliability of 3D-printed components, Marcus emphasised Domin’s rigorous research into material science. “At Domin, we’ve proven the mechanical integrity of 3D-printed parts, ensuring quality control through a unique focus on the printed part rather than the printing process,” he shared.
Marcus also touched on Domin’s production advancements, noting the Domin Technology Centre, a UK-based factory that operates 24/7, producing high-precision parts on a mass-production scale.
“The key question we ask ourselves is; by using 3D printing can we create more value than the product costs to make? Once you’ve been able to create enough value you can use it to make things over and over. We have a factory in the UK that’s producing 3D printed parts 24/7. On some of our build plates we have 2, 300 components that are identical, that we manufacture over and again. It’s incredible and I think it’s an opportunity that the industry has, to acknowledge that this process is a production process and ask how we can create value with it for an ongoing production run.
The interview concluded with a call to innovators: “There’s never been a better time to disrupt and add value through manufacturing technologies like metal 3D printing. With today’s tools, you can create something that was never previously possible,” Marcus encouraged.
To watch the full interview at IMTS, click here.
