Ashkhen Ovsepyan: Making Metal 3D Printing Accessible
In an exclusive interview with TCT Magazine, Ashkhen Ovsepyan, Founder and CEO of California-based Additive Plus, reveals how her company’s new AO Metal printer line is dismantling cost barriers in metal additive manufacturing. Inspired by her first encounter with 3D printing 15 years ago (her inaugural print was a plastic keychain she still keeps), Ovsepyan is channeling that same sense of technological wonder into making metal AM accessible.
The Problem:
“Innovation should have unlimited resources or zero budget,” states Ovsepyan. Traditional metal printers—often costing $500K+—force users to ration machine time, stifling experimentation. This paradox fueled Additive Plus’ bold decision to develop its own systems after a decade as a reseller.
The Solution: AO Metal Series
Debuting at RAPID + TCT 2025, these U.S.-made, compact laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) systems start at $59,000—a fraction of competitor pricing. Three models target labs, universities, and small manufacturers:
A30 (30mm build)
A50 (50mm, blue laser + 900°C platform)
A100 (100mm, dual infrared/blue lasers)
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A30 Metal 3D Printer – High Precision & Durability
A compact LPBF system with one 200-watt laser for small series metal production.
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Technology:
Metal LPBF
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Materials:
Metal Powders
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Technology:
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A50 Metal 3D Printer – High Precision & Durability
A compact LPBF system with 1x300W laser for small series metal production.
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Technology:
Metal LPBF
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Materials:
Metal Powders
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Technology:
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A100 Metal DMLS 3D Printer for Sale – Explore the Best Metal Printers
A compact LPBF system with one 300-watt laser ideal for R&D issues.
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Materials:
Metal Powders
$99,000Read More -
Materials:
Breakthrough Capabilities:
Unlike any printers in their class, AO Metal systems feature:
🔹 Blue laser technology for printing reflective alloys (copper, gold, titanium)
🔹 Fully open architecture enabling material R&D freedom
🔹 900°C build chambers for advanced alloy development
🔹 Modular R&D Ecosystem (bundled with Verder’s CAMSIZER particle analyzer and ATO Lab Plus atomizer)
Market Impact:
Since launch, demand has been “overwhelming,” with Ovsepyan noting: “Customers need adaptable tools to test real-world applications without financial fear.” The printers address critical gaps:
🇺🇸 Local U.S. manufacturing/support for defense and regulated industries
💡 Democratized R&D via the $59K entry point
⚡ Integrated workflow from powder production → analysis → printing
Vision for the Future:
While larger systems (200-250mm builds) are under consideration, Ovsepyan remains focused on empowering innovators: “Success is seeing customers create previously impossible applications. That’s the kindergarten-level joy driving us.“
Read the Full Interview on TCT Magazine
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