“The machine works by melting metal powder with an electron beam in a vacuum rather than using a laser. This process is known as Electron Beam Melting, or EBM. The printer is designed to handle metals that are difficult to process with conventional laser-based printers, such as copper, molybdenum and tungsten. Melting in a vacuum also keeps the material free from contamination,” explains Petr Mareš, founder and CEO of BeamShape.

At the heart of the machine is a 2 kW electron gun operating at an accelerating voltage of 60 kV, designed and manufactured by the company itself. The printer shares much of its technology with an electron microscope but operates at considerably higher power. The same beam that melts the metal can also be used to image its surface.

“Brno is among the world's leaders in electron microscopy, and we're bringing that expertise into metal 3D printing. The electron beam can process metals that lasers struggle with, and with ElectronForge, we want to take this technology out of the laboratory and into industrial production. We're incredibly proud to have unveiled the printer here in Brno, at the stand of the university where our journey began,” says Mareš, who graduated in Physical Engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at BUT.

A university spin-off is an independent company that helps bring inventions and innovations to customers and industry. Such companies are typically established by researchers, students or graduates, often in partnership with their university. Universities can then reinvest revenue from sales or equity holdings into further research.

Mareš founded the company together with his colleague Hynek Štětina, a graduate of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT. From the outset, the company has worked closely with Mareš's alma mater, particularly the Institute of Physical Engineering. It is this close collaboration that has earned BeamShape its status as a BUT spin-off.

“The printer isn't available for purchase yet. However, alongside its launch, we're opening an early access programme and looking for partners from industry and research to help us refine the technology for specific applications,” Mareš adds.

Tackling a tough challenge

Metal 3D printing is gaining ground in industry, primarily through laser-based systems. However, lasers have limitations when processing certain materials. Copper reflects much of the laser light, while tungsten has an extremely high melting point.

ElectronForge therefore uses Electron Beam Melting technology, in which a focused beam of electrons melts metal powder layer by layer in a high vacuum. Electrons heat the metal very efficiently, regardless of how reflective its surface is, while the vacuum protects the material from oxygen and other contaminants. This makes it possible to produce strong, high-purity components for applications in aerospace, energy and healthcare.

Development of the electron gun and printer was supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic through its TREND and SIGMA programmes. The machine's industrial design was created by Jakub Novák of DesignNovak studio, while VITMECO and TX Robotics contributed to its manufacture. The design presented at the fair is already intended for the future production version of the machine.

BeamShape ElectronForge will be on display until Friday, 9 October, at the Brno University of Technology stand in Hall A1 (stand 025+027).

BeamShape, s.r.o. is a Brno-based deep-tech company and BUT spin-off specialising in electron beam technologies. It designs and manufactures electron guns for its own equipment and for industrial partners. At MSV 2026, the company unveiled its own ElectronForge metal 3D printer. More information is available at beamshape.com.

Media contact: Petr Mareš, petr.mares@beamshape.com, +420 775 249 720