Fabheads Automation
Category: AI in Manufacturing
Develops and manufactures automated composite manufacturing systems, including 3D printers that use continuous fiber technology for creating high-strength, lightweight parts for various industries. Fabheads Automation was founded in 2015. The company is led by Dhinesh Kanagaraj. Based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Team size: 51-200. Total funding raised: ~$13 million. Latest round: Series A, $10.0M, 2024-06, led by Accel. Key investors include Accel, Trifecta Capital, Inflection Point Ventures.
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Team size
- 51-200
- Total funding
- ~$13 million
Value proposition
Enabling rapid, cost-effective production of complex carbon fiber components with superior strength-to-weight ratios. Their proprietary robotic automation reduces costs, material waste, and production time.
Products and solutions
FibrBot™ series (Automated robotic systems for continuous fiber 3D printing), Custom part design and contract manufacturing services for composites, FabMachines (A brand for 3D printers)
Unique value
First company in India to develop and patent indigenous continuous fiber 3D printing technology, a feat achieved by only a handful of companies globally. This enables the creation of complex and customized composite structures.
Target customer
Aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, renewable energy, and biomedical manufacturers.
Industries served
Aerospace, Automotive, Marine, Defense, Biomedical, Industrial Equipment, Renewable Energy
Technology advantage
Proprietary hardware-software stack combining robotic arm-based additive manufacturing with AI-driven optimization. This system reportedly reduces manufacturing costs by up to 50%, material wastage by 20%, and production cycles by 30%.
How they differentiate
Focuses on providing end-to-end, cost-effective solutions tailored for the Indian and South Asian markets. Offers both hardware sales and contract manufacturing, acting as a one-stop shop for composite manufacturing.
Main competitors
Markforged (USA), Anisoprint (Luxembourg), 9T Labs (Switzerland)
Key partnerships
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), IIT Madras
Notable customers
ISRO (satellite components), Indian defense sector (UAV frames and components), Marine sector clients (lightweight hull sections)
Major milestones
Secured $10 million in a Series A round led by Accel (2024). Winner of the National Startup Award 2020 in the 'Industry 4.0' category. Winner of DRDO's Dare to Dream Innovation Award (2019). Successfully raised Rs 8 crore in a pre-Series A round (2021).
Growth metrics
Secured a $10 million Series A to scale manufacturing capacity and expand R&D. Plans to establish a new facility in Bengaluru to cater to growing demand, particularly from the aerospace sector.
Market positioning
Leading indigenous provider of continuous fiber 3D printing technology in India, positioned as a high-performance, lower-cost alternative to expensive imported systems.
Geographic focus
Primarily India and South Asia, with announced plans to expand into Southeast Asia and the Middle East, supported by a new planned facility in Bengaluru.
Patents and IP
Holds multiple patents for its core robotic fabrication process and continuous fiber 3D printing technology.
About Dhinesh Kanagaraj
Dhinesh Kanagaraj is the Co-founder and CEO of Fabheads Automation, a company he started in 2015 after his tenure as a scientist/engineer at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). At ISRO, he was involved in the product development of umbilical systems for the GSLV MkIII launch vehicle. His experience at ISRO, particularly with the challenges of manual composite manufacturing, inspired him to found Fabheads to create innovative and automated solutions for composite fabrication. He led the company through several funding rounds, including a significant Series A round, to advance their proprietary 3D printing technology for carbon fiber parts.
Official website: https://fabheads.com/