CBM

What CBM does

CBM (Wales Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture) is a Swansea-based, privately-held advanced manufacturing services provider established in 2015 as a subsidiary of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). Operating from the Ethos Building on Kings Road, the company runs an 11-50 person team across four service lines: new product development (CBM Design), bespoke medical devices (CBM Medical), 3D printing and scanning (CBM), and low-volume prototype and production (CBM Manufacture), with a doctoral-level applied research function (CBM Research) embedded via a Centre for Doctoral Training model.

Its technical platform combines electron beam melting (Arcam Q10) for titanium Ti6Al4V ELI medical implants, large-format stereolithography (Raplas PR450 HD+, 700x700x500mm build envelope, 0.05mm layers), selective laser sintering (Formlabs Fuse 1), multi-jet printing (ProJet 3500 HD MAX), blue-light 3D scanning with mesh spacing down to 18 microns, vacuum casting, and CNC machining. Quality systems are certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485 for the design and manufacture of custom 3D-printed surgical guides and implants.

CBM generates revenue on a project-based, quote-driven model from B2B clients across aerospace, automotive, medical, dental, consumer electronics, veterinary, and arts/cultural heritage segments. Engagements span full product development lifecycles — industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping, DFM, and small batch production — with documented outcomes including 70% assembly cost reduction, 30% assembly time reduction, and elimination of 24-hour adhesive curing. The go-to-market is sales-led direct engagement, supplemented by case-study publishing and academic conference activity through its UWTSD affiliation.

Name

CBM

Legal name

UW Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture Ltd

Website

https://cbmwales.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CBM (Wales Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture) is a Swansea-based advanced manufacturing services provider offering 3D printing, scanning, bespoke medical device design, and low-volume production to aerospace, automotive, medical, dental, and arts sector clients across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical & Dental 3D Printing Services (patient-specific devices, dental labs) (IMAAADAG)

Keywords

• Additive manufacturing services
• 3D printing prototyping
• Bespoke medical devices
• Rapid prototyping services
• Product development engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Swansea

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Development Services: Complete product development service including industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping, and production implementation. Revenue generated through consulting and engineering service fees for design projects.
2. 3D Printing and Manufacturing Services: Batch manufacturing using additive manufacturing technologies including EBM, SLA, SLS, and vacuum casting. Revenue from production parts, prototypes, and small batch manufacture.
3. Medical Device Manufacturing: Bespoke medical devices including surgical guides, implants, and anatomical models using CE and FDA approved materials and processes compliant with ISO 13485

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CBM provides B2B advanced manufacturing and product development services including industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping, and small batch manufacture using 3D printing technologies (EBM, SLS, SLA, Multi Jet) and 3D optical scanning. The company designs and produces bespoke medical devices including custom surgical guides, patient-specific implants, and anatomical models under ISO 13485 certification. Services are delivered to clients across Aerospace, Automotive, Medical, and Dental sectors through project-based consulting and manufacturing contracts.

Product overview

CBM (Wales Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture) is an industry-focused advanced research, product development, and batch manufacturing facility offering a comprehensive suite of services. The core offerings include New Product Development (covering industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping, and production implementation), Bespoke Medical Devices under CBM Medical (custom anatomical models, surgical guides, surgical implants using additive manufacturing), 3D Printing & Scanning (encompassing EBM, SLS, SLA, and Multi Jet technologies), and Prototype and Production (vacuum casting, CNC machining, component finishing). The portfolio is supported by Applied Research activities including doctoral research projects in tissue engineering scaffolds, implant risk reduction, and orthoses optimisation. The technology platform includes the Arcam Q10 for EBM titanium manufacturing, Formlabs Fuse 1 for SLS, Raplas PR450 HD+ for large format SLA, and ProJet 3500 HD MAX for multi jet printing. CBM serves industry sectors including Aerospace, Automotive, Medical and Dental.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBM Design: Product development service offering industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping and production implementation.
• CBM Medical
• CBM Manufacture
• CBM Research

Products and services

• New Product Development (CBM Design) Complete product development service transforming innovative ideas into successful products, covering industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping, and production implementation across medical, healthcare, industrial and consumer electronics sectors. Delivered by a team with over 20 years of award-winning experience.
• Bespoke Medical Devices (CBM Medical) Customised medical devices designed and produced through CT scan data and additive manufacturing, including custom anatomical models, surgical guides, surgical implants, and custom innovations for medical applications. Uses CE and FDA approved materials and processes compliant with ISO 13485, including Ti6Al4V ELI titanium certified to USP Class VI.
• 3D Printing and Scanning CAD software, 3D printing and optical 3D scanning technologies including Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), and Multi Jet Technology for prototype and low-volume component production. Includes Blue Light 3D scanning with mesh point spacing down to 18 microns.
• Prototype and Production (CBM Manufacture) Low volume production services including vacuum casting, CNC machining, production management, and component finishing services for injection-moulded quality components. Enables small batch manufacture and rapid prototypes using 3D printing, scanning and workshop technologies.
• Applied Research (CBM Research) Doctoral-level applied research in the application of advanced technologies to manufacturing processes, supporting industry innovation across Aerospace, Automotive, Medical and Dental sectors. Includes PhD research projects in tissue engineering scaffolds, implant risk reduction through statistical and machine learning techniques, and orthoses design optimisation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Component optimization reduced assembly costs by more than 70%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Walk With PathcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBM worked with Walk With Path to develop Path Finder, a laser light cueing device for Parkinson's disease sufferers. CBM prototyped multiple iterations, conducted user testing, and supported the DFM stage of tool design for mass manufacture. The product launched commercially within 12 months of first meeting.
• Jam Creative StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBM collaborated with Jam Creative Studios to develop ExplorAR, an augmented reality product for museums. CBM designed and engineered the device casing, produced working prototypes for marketing, and manufactured a small batch of 18 devices for museum use.
• Arts Council of WalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts Council of Wales funded FACT (Fusion of Art, Craft and Technology) research and development project exploring advanced manufacturing technologies for artistic creativity with Welsh artists Bryan Thomas and Peter Finnemore.
• Bryan Thomas and Peter FinnemorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelsh artists collaborating with CBM on Arts Council of Wales funded FACT project to explore potential of advanced manufacturing technologies for realising new artistic creativity and vision.
• Bryan ThomascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction project led by Bryan Thomas using CBM's Blue Light 3D Scanning technology for Bone China Production Mould creation. Bryan Thomas is a Welsh artist working at interface between traditional artistic activities and modern technology.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Xaar 3D: UK-based developer of high-speed sintering 3D printing technology with roots in inkjet print-head engineering. Comparable as a UK-headquartered emerging player in polymer/additive manufacturing seeking industrial and medical applications.
• AML3D: Australia-based metal additive manufacturing service provider focused on large-format wire-based printing for aerospace, defence and industrial customers. Comparable as a specialised metal AM service bureau competing for similar niche contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys: Large incumbent in polymer and multi-jet 3D printing systems and services with broad industrial, aerospace and medical exposure. Overlaps with CBM's SLA, SLS and Multi Jet Technology platform at the systems/services level.
• 3D Systems: Global 3D printing incumbent offering equipment, software and on-demand manufacturing services across healthcare, aerospace and industrial markets. Competes with CBM in prototyping and low-volume production but operates at vastly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Renishaw: UK-based manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing systems and contract manufacturing services with a strong healthcare and dental implant focus. Direct competitor to CBM's EBM titanium implant work and shares UK/Wales regional exposure.
• Proto Labs: US-headquartered digital manufacturer offering rapid prototyping and on-demand production via injection moulding, CNC and 3D printing. Comparable business model to CBM Manufacture for prototype-to-low-volume production.
• Materialise: Belgium-headquartered global leader in 3D printing services for medical devices, including patient-specific implants, surgical guides and anatomical models. Highly comparable to CBM's medical device manufacturing offering, with far broader geographic reach.
• SLM Solutions: German supplier of selective laser melting systems and metal additive manufacturing services for aerospace and medical applications. Comparable on metal AM technology platform and contract manufacturing posture.
• EOS GmbH: German industrial 3D printing equipment and services provider with deep medical and dental implant application expertise. Directly comparable on technology stack (EBM/DMLS) and medical manufacturing workflows.

Others

• Carpenter Additive: US-based supplier of metal powders and additive manufacturing solutions serving aerospace and medical OEMs. Adjacent rather than directly competitive; functions as an enabling supplier within the same metal AM ecosystem CBM operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cbmwales
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbm-wales-centre-for-advanced-batch-manufacture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 CBM