Caracol’s robotic LFAM technology powers “PORTAL” at Milan Design Week 2025

An immersive installation — produced by Decibel using Caracol AM technology — explores the future of sustainable design and manufacturing at Alcova, Milan.

Caracol supports the innovative yet collaborative creative project PORTAL by Decibel and Vizcom. As the technology provider behind this installation, Caracol will take part in Milan Design Week with an immersive showcase hosted at Alcova, from April 7 to 13, 2025. The former SNIA factory — a post-industrial site now reclaimed by nature—serves as the perfect backdrop to reflect the convergence of advanced manufacturing, circular design, and AI-powered creativity.

Curated by Decibel and designed by Charles Birshaw, the exhibition merges digital ideation with physical realization. It offers a new level of creative freedom and environmental responsibility by integrating AI and advanced manufacturing into lean, future-ready design models. This seamless fusion of technologies enables intricate geometries, large-scale formats, and sustainable material use — setting a new standard for product development and localized production.

As part of this living installation, Caracol’s proprietary LFAM system, Heron AM, will be printing live throughout the week — demonstrating how robotic large-format additive manufacturing can enable complex yet sustainable production with minimal waste. All designs in the PORTAL collection — including ten original chairs by international creatives—are fabricated using Caracol’s technology, showcasing its power to bring visionary concepts to life.

See Heron AM in Action: Robotic Creative Production Live at Alcova

During Milan Design Week, visitors can experience the unique capabilities of Heron AM in real time. Live robotic 3D printing sessions will run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., including the production of the winning entry from Vizcom’s global AI furniture design competition.

By participating in PORTAL, Caracol continues to push the boundaries of where design, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability intersect—empowering designers to create with fewer production limitations and greater creative freedom.

What to expect at the Milano Design Week

• Former SNIA Factory, Alcova – Room SN7a
• April 7–13, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Visitors to PORTAL can experience:

• Live robotic 3D printing – Caracol’s Heron AM system producing furniture on-site daily
• Ten original chair designs – Fabricated from AI-generated concepts using circular materials
• Vizcom design competition Winner – Revealed and printed in real time

Sponsor e partners:

• Vizcom – AI tools for next-gen creatives
• Decibel – Sustainable, large-format furniture production
• Caracol – robotic additive manufacturing technology provider
• Balena – Bio-based materials innovation
• Airtech – High-performance recycled composites
• KCL – Sustainable material development

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