SAM XL
SAM XL is a TU Delft fieldlab developing smart robotics systems for large-scale structure manufacturing, serving aerospace, maritime, offshore wind, and SME manufacturers through collaborative R&D projects in ultrasonic welding, automated fibre placement, motion planning, and closed-loop process control.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersDelft, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SAM XL does
SAM XL is a Smart Advanced Manufacturing fieldlab established in 2018 and embedded within Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands. The organization develops smart robotics systems for the manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and repair of large-scale structures including aircraft sections, ship parts, frames, and bridges. Its core offering is organized across three integrated capability domains: Manufacturing (continuous ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites with a patented sonotrode, automated fibre placement using a Humm3 flashlamp, robotic 3D printing, and non-destructive testing inspection), Mechatronics (custom robotic end-effectors, mechanical testing, and CAD design), and Software (advanced motion planning, Zero Programming framework, 3D perception, and closed-loop process control). Together these capabilities allow robots to perceive, plan, and self-correct autonomously on high-mix, low-volume production work that conventional automation cannot handle.
The organization operates a 2,000 m2 research facility on the TU Delft campus with 12 industrial robots, supported by 27 full-time engineers and a pipeline of students and interns. SAM XL's business model is project-based professional services delivered through collaborative R&D consortia, funded by EU programs (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Clean Sky 2), Dutch national programs (RVO, TNO), and regional funds (ERDF, Kansen voor West), with industry co-funding from corporate partners. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The customer base spans aerospace primes and tier-1s (Airbus, GKN-Fokker, KLM, Toray Advanced Composites), Dutch maritime and offshore-wind leaders (Damen Naval, Neptune, IHC Holland, TenneT), and SME manufacturers reached through the DigitalZH European Digital Innovation Hub.
SAM XL is governed by a board that includes representatives from TU Delft faculties, Damen Naval, and GKN, and is led by CEO Hein Koelman with Head of Business Development Aydin van den Bergh. Co-founders Professor Rinze Benedictus and Associate Professor Joris Melkert were appointed Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2026 for contributions to science, education, and society. The organization participates in at least eight active multi-partner programs, including PeneloPe (30 European partners), NXTGEN, STUNNING, AeroFusion, HyWeld, STREAM, JOIN2SCALE, BrightSky, and CoreSense, with operations predominantly regional to Europe and project outcomes cited including 10%+ fuel burn reduction, 30-50% steel reduction, and 35% CO2 savings in targeted applications.
SAM XL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SAM XL
- Legal name
- SAM XL
- Website
- https://samxl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SAM XL is a TU Delft fieldlab developing smart robotics systems for large-scale structure manufacturing, serving aerospace, maritime, offshore wind, and SME manufacturers through collaborative R&D projects in ultrasonic welding, automated fibre placement, motion planning, and closed-loop process control.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where SAM XL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Delft
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SAM XL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- R&D Collaboration Projects: SAM XL operates as a TU Delft fieldlab, engaging in collaborative R&D projects with industry partners, receiving funding from EU programs (Horizon Europe, Clean Sky 2), national programs (RVO, TNO), and regional funds (ERDF, Kansen voor West). Revenue comes through project grants and industry co-funding.
- Innovation Services: Provides access to infrastructure, expertise, and advice for companies looking to automate and optimize production. Offers guidance for innovation processes, prototyping, and experimentation facilities.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
SAM XL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SAM XL is a TU Delft fieldlab that develops and validates smart robotic solutions for large-scale composite manufacturing, including continuous ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites, automated fibre placement, 3D printing, and inspection/NDT. It builds proprietary hardware (end-effectors) and software (ROS modules, motion planning, zero-programming, closed-loop process control) and delivers these through R&D collaboration projects with aerospace, maritime, and offshore-wind industrial partners.
Product overview
SAM XL is a Smart Advanced Manufacturing field lab at TU Delft functioning as an innovation accelerator for large-scale smart robotics. The offering is organized across three integrated domains: Manufacturing (ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites, automated fibre placement, 3D printing, and inspection), Mechatronics (robotic end-effector development, mechanical testing, CAD design), and Software (advanced motion planning, Zero Programming, Perception, closed-loop process control). These capabilities form an integrated smart robotics ecosystem for manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and repair of large-scale structures. Key product lines include continuous ultrasonic welding for thermoplastic composites enabling lighter aircraft, the Zero Programming framework that auto-generates robot paths from product geometry, closed-loop process control for self-correcting autonomous manufacturing, and advanced motion planning algorithms. The facility also offers R&D collaboration services, internship programs, and robotics training. SAM XL's unique position bridges TU Delft research with industry applications, operating a 2000 m2 R&D lab with multiple robot cells and large industrial robots including a gantry robot system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Continuous Ultrasonic Welding of Thermoplastic Composites Robotic thermoplastic composite welding capability targeted at aerospace, maritime, and offshore-wind manufacturers seeking to automate joining of large composite components.
- Automated Fibre Placement Robotic automated fibre placement service for laying composite tapes with complex geometries on large structures, for aerospace and maritime OEMs.
- 3D Printing for Large-Scale Structures Robotic 3D printing for large-scale composite and structural components, enabling prototyping and production of parts beyond the size limits of conventional printers.
- Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Robotic inspection and non-destructive testing services for large composite structures, supporting quality assurance in aerospace, maritime, and wind-energy manufacturing.
- Robotic End-Effector Development Custom design and development of robotic end-effectors for composite manufacturing processes, enabling novel robotic applications for industrial partners.
- R&D Collaboration Programs Multi-year industry R&D collaboration projects through which SAM XL partners with aerospace, maritime, and offshore-wind companies to develop and validate smart robotic manufacturing solutions.
- Robotics Training Module Structured robotics training module targeted at SMEs adopting Industry 4.0 and smart robotics, delivered in collaboration with the European Digital Innovation Hub (DigitalZH).
Quantifiable outcome
- 200% higher production throughput achievable with composite joints replacing welded steel nodes
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use SAM XL
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SAM XL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature9 records
SAM XL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
71 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tree CompositescoreDelft-based startup partner in JOIN2SCALE project. Will host automated manufacturing line for composite X-joints for offshore wind jacket foundations.
- CTC Stade GmbHcorePartner in HyWeld project for hybrid joining of thermoplastic and thermosetting composites.
- RoboHousecorePartner fieldlab in STREAM project. Collaborating to teach robots how to weld ship panels, working together on robotic welding solutions for Dutch shipyards.
- Airbus NetherlandscorePartner in AeroFusion project for curved ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites for aircraft manufacturing.
- TNOcorePartner in NXTGEN projects for zero-defect robotic manufacturing and digital composite automation. Research partner in automated aircraft repair (BrightSky) and liquid hydrogen tank development.
- InnovationQuartercoreRegional development agency partner initiating European Digital Innovation Hub (DigitalZH) together with TU Delft.
- De Haagse HogeschoolcoreEducational partner in digital knowledge development, providing training through SME projects and strengthening link between education and market.
- JetSupportminorPartner in BrightSky automated aircraft repair project.
- GKN-FokkercorePartner in STUNNING project for thermoplastics composite fuselage assembly. Long-standing collaboration in aerospace composite manufacturing.
- PeneloPe Consortiumcore30 European collaboration partners including TU Delft, Aimen, ESI Group, Airborne, Fraunhofer, TNO, NLR for closed-loop digital pipeline development. Consortium aims to create new manufacturing methods with self-learning robots.
- AVIASPACE Bremen e.V.coreGerman space association partner in cooperation agreement with SpaceNed, Provincie Zuid-Holland, and Freie Hansestadt Bremen for space innovation.
- TU DelftcoreFounding parent institution. SAM XL is a TU Delft fieldlab connecting top-level research with industry applications. Deep integration with Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and multiple TU Delft research institutes including Delft Robotics Institute and Delft BioRobotics Laboratory.
- Do IoT FieldlabcoreCollaboration on 5G and 6G technology development for smart manufacturing. Together showcasing live demos of current state and ongoing development of connectivity for factory environments.
- Future Network ServicescoreConsortium of more than 60 leading companies and research institutions leading 6G development in the Netherlands. SAM XL participates in public-private partnership for future-proof 6G ecosystem.
- Cato CompositescorePartner in AeroFusion project for thermoforming of thermoplastic composites. Successfully developed thermoforming process for high temperatures and pressed first stiffeners from CF/LMPAEK composite.
- Toray Advanced CompositescoreContributes with high-quality aerospace grade material development and supply, and processing expertise. Advancing understanding of thermal cycles on material in composite projects.
- AirbuscoreIndustrial relevance, guidance, and application focus for composite manufacturing. Partner in HyWeld, AeroFusion, and multiple aviation projects for sustainable aircraft development.
- Composite Technology Center (CTC GmbH)coreIndustrial partner providing guidance and application focus for composite manufacturing technologies.
- NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre)coreResearch partner in aviation projects including fuselage assembly and liquid hydrogen tank development.
- Diehl AviationminorPartner in STUNNING thermoplastics composite fuselage assembly project.
- NeptunecoreDutch shipyard partner in STREAM project for robotic welding of ship panels.
- IHC HollandcoreShipbuilding partner in STREAM project for automation of welding processes.
- Scheepswerf Gebroeders KooimanminorDutch shipyard partner in STREAM project for robotic welding development.
- Mercury Yacht ConstructionminorYacht construction partner in STREAM project.
- GKN AerospacecorePartner in NXTGEN zero-defect manufacturing projects with focus on automation for imperfect world scenarios.
- CEAD B.V.minorPartner in NXTGEN composite automation projects.
- KVE Composites GroupcoreLong-standing partner in multiple composite manufacturing projects including fuselage assembly and digital automation.
- AirbornecorePartner in thermoplastics and digital composite automation projects for sustainable aviation.
- Stage Gate 11minorPartner in automated repair technology development.
- VanderlandeminorPartner in aircraft maintenance automation solutions.
- Schiphol GroupminorPartner in aviation automation ecosystem.
- ADSEminorEngineering partner in HyWeld hybrid welding project.
- FraunhofercoreResearch partner in JOIN2SCALE for composite structures automation.
- INEGIminorEngineering research partner in JOIN2SCALE project.
- ArcelorMittal EuropecoreSteel partner in JOIN2SCALE for composite wrap joints as alternative to welded steel nodes.
- TenneTminorOffshore wind grid operator partner in JOIN2SCALE for foundation innovation.
- SpaceNedcoreDutch space industry association partner in cooperation with AVIASPACE Bremen for space innovation collaboration since 2019.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreTechnical collaboration through ESTEC for space innovation cooperation between Netherlands and Bremen regions.
- VDL Bus & CoachminorManufacturing partner in PeneloPe closed-loop digital pipeline project.
- Suzlon EnergyminorPartner in NXTGEN projects originally from CADC consortium for composite manufacturing.
- QlayersminorPartner in NXTGEN automation projects.
- Fraunhofer IPAcoreResearch partner in CoreSense project for AI-aware autonomous robots.
- Irish Manufacturing ResearchminorResearch partner in CoreSense manufacturing testbed development.
- Universidad Politecnica de MadridminorAcademic partner in CoreSense theory development.
- Universidad Rey Juan CarlosminorAcademic partner in CoreSense AI awareness research.
- InHollandcoreUniversity of applied sciences partner in digital skills education and SME collaboration.
- Hogeschool van AmsterdamminorEducational partner in digital skills training module development.
- Hanzehogeschool GroningenminorUniversity partner in NXTGEN skills development consortium.
- Saxion University of Applied ScienceminorEducational partner in digital manufacturing training.
- NHL Stenden University of Applied SciencesminorPartner in skills development for smart industry.
- Hogeschool WindesheimminorPartner in digital skills education network.
- Convention Europeenne de la construction METAminorConstruction industry partner in JOIN2SCALE.
- Onderzoekscentrum voor aanwending van staalminorSteel research center partner.
- GKN AerospacecorePartner in SURE LEAD project for anti-icing systems on aircraft wings.
- Fokker ElmocorePartner in SURE LEAD for electrical systems integration in wing anti-icing.
- TecnaliaminorResearch technology partner.
- CECIMOminorEuropean machine tool association partner.
- FundingBoxminorFunding platform partner.
- Aimen Technology CentreminorTechnology center partner in Spain.
- BIBAminorBremen institute of production technology.
- Fraunhofer IGPminorFraunhofer institute for manufacturing technology.
- IPCminorInnovation platform for composites.
- CEAminorFrench atomic energy commission research.
- UniMoreminorUniversity of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
- Universade de CoimbraminorPortuguese university partner.
- MV Werften WismarminorGerman shipyard partner.
- GTM Advanced MaterialsminorMaterials partner from original CADC consortium.
- Airbus Defence & Space NetherlandsminorDefense and space manufacturing partner.
- NL Space CampuscoreSpace innovation ecosystem partner including CometLab and ESA Technology for collaboration with Bremen delegation.
- CometLabcoreSpace technology lab partner in NL Space Campus ecosystem.
- Provincie Zuid-HollandcoreRegional government partner supporting cooperation with Bremen and space innovation initiatives.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
SAM XL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ABB Robotics: Global industrial robot manufacturer offering automation solutions across manufacturing sectors including welding, material handling, and assembly. Represents the broad incumbent ecosystem that SAM XL's autonomous robotics software stack could eventually be integrated with or compete against at production scale.
- KUKA: Major industrial robotics and automation systems integrator serving automotive, aerospace, and metalworking industries. Comparable in deploying large-scale robotic cells for welding, machining, and assembly, and a potential technology integrator or competitor as SAM XL's solutions move toward commercial deployment.
Direct peers
- TNO: Netherlands' applied scientific research organization and existing SAM XL partner (NXTGEN, BrightSky). Conducts similar applied research in composite manufacturing, robotic systems, and industrial digitalization for Dutch and European industry partners.
- Fraunhofer IPA: Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials runs a similar applied research model focused on production automation, robotics, and digitalization for industrial customers - including composite manufacturing and large-structure automation directly comparable to SAM XL's fieldlab approach.
- National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS): Scotland's advanced manufacturing innovation center operates fieldlabs for lightweight composites, robotic assembly, and digital production with industry partners. Closely mirrors SAM XL's fieldlab model, customer segments (aerospace, renewables), and grant-funded operating model.
- SIRRIS: Belgian collective research center for the manufacturing industry, offering fieldlab infrastructure and collaborative R&D to industrial customers across composites, automation, and digital manufacturing - directly comparable to SAM XL's role as a TU Delft fieldlab serving enterprise partners.
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK-based high-value manufacturing R&D center operating a fieldlab model that collaborates with industry on advanced automation, additive manufacturing, and composite production. Shares SAM XL's profile of hosting enterprise pilots, providing testbed infrastructure, and bridging academic research with industrial deployment.
- Teknologisk Institut: Danish Technological Institute runs applied manufacturing and robotics labs serving European industry, with similar fieldlab facilities for composite manufacturing, robotic welding, and digital production. Comparable structure as a publicly-funded applied research organization monetizing through industry projects.
Emerging players
- CEAD: Dutch 3D printing and composite manufacturing technology company and existing SAM XL partner. Specializes in large-scale continuous fiber additive manufacturing, with overlapping technology stack in thermoplastic composites and robotic AFP directly comparable to SAM XL's capabilities.
- Airborne: Dutch composites manufacturer and SAM XL partner, focused on thermoplastic composite parts for aerospace and marine. Shares SAM XL's focus on automating composite layup and welding, but operates as a commercial manufacturer rather than a research fieldlab.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SAM XL social profiles
Digital presenceSAM XL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SAM XL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SAM XL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SAM XL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SAM XL
What does SAM XL do?
SAM XL is a TU Delft fieldlab that develops and validates smart robotic solutions for large-scale composite manufacturing, including continuous ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites, automated fibre placement, 3D printing, and inspection/NDT. It builds proprietary hardware (end-effectors) and software (ROS modules, motion planning, zero-programming, closed-loop process control) and delivers these through R&D collaboration projects with aerospace, maritime, and offshore-wind industrial partners.
Is SAM XL a public or private company?
SAM XL is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SAM XL founded?
SAM XL was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SAM XL based?
SAM XL is headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does SAM XL make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. R&D Collaboration Projects are the primary driver. The others are innovation Services.
Who are SAM XL's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ABB Robotics and KUKA. Direct peers are TNO, Fraunhofer IPA, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), SIRRIS, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Teknologisk Institut. Emerging players are CEAD and Airborne.
Does SAM XL have an API?
No public API is recorded for SAM XL.