Rapidobject GmbH

What Rapidobject GmbH does

Rapidobject GmbH is a German industrial 3D printing service provider headquartered in Leipzig, founded in 2006 (originally as Realityservice, rebranded in 2013). The company operates a single integrated platform that combines a self-serve online instant-quote tool for standard geometries with a sales-led consulting channel for complex and enterprise projects, supporting six manufacturing processes (SLM, MJF, SLS, SLA/DLP, PolyJet, FDM) across more than 100 materials including metals, plastics, and silicone rubber. Customers upload CAD files (STL, STEP, 3MF) directly via the website, which performs automated file validation at ~99% accuracy and provides free data recovery before production.

The business model is primarily transactional, with per-order pricing calculated individually based on geometry, material, process, and volume; an express 24-hour production tier commands premium pricing. Supplementary revenue streams include professional services (consulting for setting up 3D printing departments, CAD component design, AZAV-certified training) and R&D services conducted by an internal R&D department established in 2017. Target customer segments are medical technology, automotive, aerospace, and general industrial manufacturing, with secondary use cases in trade shows, cultural projects, and sustainability-focused production. The company serves 25,000+ customers and ships to 30+ European countries (excluding the USA).

Rapidobject's competitive positioning rests on a rare certification stack for an SME-sized service bureau: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO/ASTM 52920, DIN SPEC 17071, and AZAV, supplemented by an A Gold ESG rating from Global Climate (2023). The company operates the Gläserne 3D Fabrik (Transparent 3D Factory), a publicly accessible showroom and training facility opened in July 2024. It is privately held with no external funding rounds, managed by Managing Director Petra Wallasch.

Name

Rapidobject GmbH

Legal name

Rapidobject GmbH

Website

https://rapidobject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rapidobject GmbH is a Leipzig-based industrial 3D printing service provider founded in 2006, offering six manufacturing processes across 100+ materials to 25,000+ customers in medical, automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors across 30+ European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (323), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Polymer 3D Printing Service Bureaus (FDM/FFF, SLA/DLP, SLS/MJF) (IMAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts) (IMAAADAL), Prototype Program Management & Low-Volume Pilot Runs (Bridge to Production) (IMAAAFAO), Engineering Prototype Builds (Form/Fit/Function) (IMAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Industrial 3D printing
• Additive manufacturing services
• Metal 3D printing
• Rapid prototyping
• Contract manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 3D Printing Manufacturing Services: One-time transactional revenue from 3D printing manufacturing services using various processes (SLM, MJF, SLS, SLA, PolyJet, FDM). Prices are calculated individually per order based on geometry, material, process, and volume. Both standard online orders and custom project quotes supported.
2. Professional Services: Consulting services for setting up 3D printing departments, component design and optimization services, and 3D printing training programs. AZAV-certified education provider for structured training.
3. Research & Development Services: Custom R&D projects for developing improved applications, new materials, and sustainable components. Includes partnership projects with research institutions.
4. Express Production Services: 24-hour express production option for urgent requirements with premium pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rapidobject GmbH operates an industrial 3D printing service bureau offering on-demand manufacturing of plastic, metal, and silicone rubber parts across six processes (SLM, MJF, SLS, SLA/DLP, PolyJet, FDM). Customers either upload CAD files for instant automated quotes on standard geometries, or submit complex project inquiries for personalized consulting. The company complements manufacturing with consulting, component design, R&D, series production, express production, and AZAV-certified training.

Product overview

Rapidobject GmbH is a German industrial 3D printing service provider founded in 2006, operating as a single unified service platform offering both an Online 3D Printing Service (for instant automated quotes on standard geometries) and a 3D Printing Inquiry Service (for personalized expert quotes on complex projects). The company provides six core manufacturing processes: Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA/DLP), PolyJet, and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), plus metal 3D printing. These processes are supported by value-added services including consulting, component design, R&D, trade show models, series production, 24-hour express production, free data recovery, and professional training programs. The company also operates the Gläserne 3D Fabrik (Transparent 3D Factory) for public education and industry qualification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online 3D Printing Service Self-serve web platform where customers upload CAD files (STL, STEP, 3MF) for standard geometries and receive instant automated quotes, with free data error checking and optional ordering. Targeted at industrial buyers needing fast turnaround on routine parts.
• 3D Printing Inquiry Service (Custom Projects) Personalized quote service for complex or custom 3D printing projects, including feasibility consultation, material and process selection, and binding quotes valid for 30 days. Targeted at industrial customers with non-standard geometries.
• Metal 3D Printing (SLM) Industrial metal additive manufacturing using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) for high-strength, heat-resistant parts in aluminum, stainless steel, and Inconel. Supports complex geometries and thin-walled structures for aerospace, automotive, and engineering applications.
• Series Production

Quantifiable outcome

• Satisfied customers across a wide range of industries - over 25,000 companies rely on Rapidobject's solutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Global ClimatecoreOthers · 1 January 2020Partnership for transparent CO2 accounting using real company data including energy consumption of equipment, shipping and logistics, and business travel. Annual audits to measure progress and identify real reduction potentials. ESG rating A Gold achieved in 2023.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fictiv: US-based digital manufacturing platform offering 3D printing and CNC machining with automated quoting and quality control. Comparable self-serve model with instant quotes and rapid turnaround for prototypes and production parts.
• Shapeways: Online 3D printing service bureau offering on-demand production across multiple processes with a digital ordering platform. Comparable SMB-focused self-serve AM service model though smaller scale and different vertical mix.
• Xometry: AI-enabled global marketplace connecting buyers to manufacturing partners including 3D printing service bureaus. Competes with Rapidobject's self-serve online platform approach but operates a marketplace model rather than captive production.
• Protolabs: US-headquartered on-demand manufacturing service with automated quoting for prototypes and production parts across multiple processes including additive manufacturing. Closest large-cap competitor in the digital service bureau model, though US-based unlike Rapidobject's European focus.
• Hubs (Protolabs Network): Amsterdam-headquartered on-demand manufacturing platform offering 3D printing and CNC machining with instant quoting and distributed partner network. Highly comparable digital AM service model targeting European SMB and enterprise customers.
• Sculpteo: France-based online 3D printing service bureau (BASF-owned) offering multi-process on-demand production with instant quoting. Direct overlap in European digital AM service bureau market with focus on SMB and enterprise customers.
• Stratasys Direct Manufacturing: US-based service bureau subsidiary of Stratasys offering industrial 3D printing across polymer and metal processes for prototyping and production. Comparable offering breadth in multi-process AM service bureau model.
• Materialise: Belgium-headquartered global 3D printing service bureau offering industrial AM across plastics and metals with certified quality processes and a digital ordering platform. Most direct competitive comparable given European base, multi-process capability, and regulated-vertical focus.

Regional players

• FIT AG: Germany-headquartered industrial 3D printing service provider offering series production and prototyping across polymers and metals with engineering services. Comparable German competitor in industrial AM with regulated-vertical focus.
• voxelker: German 3D printing service bureau focused on industrial series production for B2B customers with a similar multi-process offering including metal AM. Strong regional comparable given shared German market and overlapping target verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/rapidobject
• Facebookfacebook.com/rapidobject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rapidobject-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/glaeserne_3d_fabrik

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rapidobject GmbH