- Impossible Objects secures $40 million to expand its 3D printing technology.
- The CBAM 25 system can produce strong, lightweight parts without costly tooling.
- The technology surpasses traditional manufacturing methods in industrial applications, boosting production efficiency.
- CBAM technology can support the production of large quantities of drone bodies in defense manufacturing.
Illinois-based manufacturing technology company Impossible Objects has secured $40 million in funding to expand its high-speed 3D printing systems designed for industrial-scale production. This Series B funding round, led by Inflection Equity, will help the company boost the output of its Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) systems. The funds will also support further deployment in sectors such as aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
At the core of the expansion is the CBAM 25, a carbon fiber printing system that can produce strong and lightweight parts without the need for costly tooling traditionally required in manufacturing processes.
The Advantages of the CBAM 25 System
While 3D printing technology has existed for decades, its applications in industry have often been limited to prototyping. Slow production speeds, material limitations, and high costs have prevented many additive manufacturing systems from competing with CNC machining and injection molding. Impossible Objects claims its CBAM process overcomes these limitations by combining rapid production with advanced composites, including carbon fiber. The system can manufacture parts for applications traditionally served by production technologies while reducing tooling needs, costs, and lead times.
Impossible Objects founder and chairman Robert Swartz said, "We have created a fundamentally new way of manufacturing. Our lives are about things, and we are changing how things are made. This is as important as factories, precision measurement, and interchangeable parts. This funding gives us the resources to bring this vision to more customers and realize it at scale."
According to the company, the CBAM 25 can print up to 25 layers per minute, making it 15 times faster than competing additive technologies. Its process can produce composite parts with a strength of up to 200 MPa, which Impossible Objects claims is four times the strength of parts produced by competing additive manufacturing methods. Additionally, the technology minimizes shrinkage and warping, two issues that can affect the dimensional accuracy of printed parts. Since its launch in early 2025, Impossible Objects has received five orders and begun delivering machines to customers and research institutions, including the US Air Force, the National Institute for Aviation Research, the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center, and the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Impossible Objects CEO Steve Hoover said, "Our CBAM 25 system is fundamentally designed to meet the high productivity and reliability needs of advanced manufacturing, combined with the flexibility and tool-less manufacturing required for modern, agile supply chains."
The Technology's Application in Defense Production
The technology could play a significant role in distributed defense production. At the Rock Island Arsenal of the US Army, CBAM can support the production of up to 10,000 drone bodies per month. Impossible Objects has also received $20 million in funding through US government contracts and awards. Its work covers high-strength, long-range drones, lightweight wing and fuselage structures, embedded wiring, and additively manufactured components with strengths approaching those of traditionally produced composites. The new funding will enable the company to produce more CBAM systems, deploy them at additional customer sites, and expand the services and commercial teams supporting its growing installed base.
The Impact of CBAM Technology on Aerospace and Defense
Impossible Objects' CBAM 25 system not only enhances the production efficiency of 3D printing but also shows great potential in the aerospace and defense sectors. Through its tool-less production method, the technology can rapidly produce high-strength composite parts, which is crucial for modern manufacturing that requires high reliability and flexibility. Furthermore, the application of CBAM systems in distributed defense production, capable of supporting the production of large quantities of drone bodies, highlights its importance in meeting defense needs. These developments not only help to boost production capacity but may also transform future manufacturing models.