Rapid Fusion, the UK-based technology firm known for its Apollo and Medusa industrial robots, will next week unveil a deployable hybrid manufacturing system designed to operate in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.
The new system, named Cerberus, will debut at Formnext in Frankfurt from 18th to 21st November. Housed within a standard shipping container, Cerberus integrates both CNC machining and 3D printing, and can be fully operational within twenty-five minutes of deployment.
Martin Jewell, Rapid Fusion’s Chief Technical Officer, said the system had been developed following discussions with defence companies seeking portable, high-performance manufacturing capabilities.
“Being able to deploy quickly was a key requirement,” Jewell said. “We’ve taken the technology and functionality of Medusa and adapted it into a system that can be set up anywhere in the world in just twenty-five minutes.”
The containerised unit features a 1,200mm³ build volume, pellet throughput of up to 17kg per hour, and 3kW of spindle power, allowing both additive and subtractive manufacturing from a single platform. It operates at temperatures of up to 500°C for advanced composite production and supports bulk material compatibility, enabling users to work with locally sourced polymers.
Rapid Fusion says Cerberus has been engineered for environments where supply chains are stretched, such as oil platforms, disaster zones, and forward operating bases. It includes dual independent tool heads to minimise downtime, a self-levelling platform for uneven terrain, and automated start-up and calibration systems.
Jewell, a former Royal Engineer who completed three tours of Afghanistan, said Cerberus had been “designed to deliver reliable performance in demanding, high-tempo environments.” Modular options include systems for off-grid power, compressed air generation, and AI-enabled remote monitoring through Rapid Fusion’s proprietary operating system, Bob.
Jake Hand, Chief Executive of Rapid Fusion, said the company had identified multiple deployment scenarios, from defence and oil and gas maintenance to disaster relief and medical supply production.
“Cerberus can eliminate the need for helicopter logistics for parts and equipment,” Hand said. “It offers a way to make replacement components, tooling, or even medical supplies directly on-site. The potential applications are vast.”
The company will begin taking pre-orders at Formnext ahead of production starting next month.
