Welcome to The Virtual Foundry, the world’s leading provider of metal, glass, and ceramic filaments for 3D printing. We are on a mission to revolutionize how the world views 3D printing by expanding its possibilities with innovative materials that bring your most ambitious projects to life.
Our Story
Founded with a passion for innovation and a drive to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing, The Virtual Foundry has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions for 3D printing enthusiasts, artists, engineers, and industry leaders alike. What began as a quest to make metal 3D printing accessible to everyone has now evolved into a comprehensive suite of advanced filaments that transform how objects are created, prototyped, and manufactured.
What We Do
At The Virtual Foundry, we manufacture and sell Filamet™ — a revolutionary line of 3D printing filaments loaded with high percentages of metal, glass, or ceramic particles. Our materials are specially designed to be printed on any open-architecture 3D printer. After printing, the parts go through a debinding and sintering process that removes the plastic binder and leaves behind 100% metal, glass, or ceramic objects. This unique capability allows users to produce full-metal parts without the need for expensive metal 3D printers or specialized equipment.
Meet the Team
Austin Triggs
Triggs has been involved in additive manufacturing since 2013. With a background in AM and business, Triggs combines his diverse skills to lead the company’s growth and innovation. His leadership continues to drive advancements in Filamet™ materials and metal 3D printing technology, shaping the future of the industry.
Bradley Woods
Woods founded The Virtual Foundry in 2015, combining his passion for metallurgy with his new-found hobby of 3D printing. Starting from electrodeposition and powdered metallurgy, his journey led him to create Filamet™ — a high metal-content 3D printing filament compatible with any FFF printer. Woods continues to innovate, developing new materials and advancing metal 3D printing technologies.
Our Mission
Our mission is to democratize metal 3D printing by making it accessible, affordable, and easy to use for everyone. We aim to provide the tools and materials that enable creators to push their limits, experiment freely, and achieve remarkable results.
Innovation at Our Core
Innovation drives everything we do. Our team is constantly exploring new materials, processes, and technologies to expand the capabilities of 3D printing. With our deep expertise in metallurgy, chemistry, and engineering, we are developing new Filamet™ products that meet the ever-growing demands of industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, education, and more.
Why Choose The Virtual Foundry?
- Compatibility: Our filaments work with any open-architecture 3D printer, allowing you to print metal parts on machines you already own.
- Flexibility: With a wide range of materials, including stainless steel, bronze, copper, and more, you have the freedom to choose the right filament for your project.
- Accessibility: We offer an affordable alternative to traditional metal 3D printing, removing barriers and opening up new opportunities for creators at every level.
- Support: We’re here to help you every step of the way. Our dedicated team is ready to provide expert guidance on everything from material selection to post-processing.
Join Us on This Journey
The Virtual Foundry is more than a company—it’s a community of forward-thinking innovators and creators. We are constantly evolving, and we invite you to be a part of our journey. Whether you are an engineer looking to prototype new designs, an artist exploring new mediums, or a business seeking cutting-edge manufacturing solutions, we have the materials and expertise to help you succeed.
Connect With Us
We’re excited to work with partners, collaborators, and customers who share our vision for the future of 3D printing. Whether you have a project idea, want to learn more about our products, or are interested in investing in our growth, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can shape the future of manufacturing.
Developed by some very nerdy chaps deep in the bowels of Madison, WI, the product is basically a high metal content 3D printing filament, which can run on just about any cheap printer anywhere. The key point to note is that it’s not expensive, doesn’t require an expensive printer, and yet can produce stunning results which go way beyond standard ABS or PLA plastic output.
– Nigel, the Managing Editor of The Red Ferret and freelance columnist for The Sunday Times in London