Arridex Installs CEAD Flexcube Large-format 3D Printing System at Lagos Omnifactory

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Arridex is bringing large-scale composite manufacturing capability fully online in Nigeria, with the installation of a CEAD Flexcube large-format 3D printing system at its Omnifactory in Lagos.

The installation marks the next stage in Arridex’s partnership with CEAD, first announced in 2025 to introduce large-format additive manufacturing to West Africa.

Under the collaboration, Arridex is deploying CEAD technology to support localised production across sectors including energy, maritime, construction and defence.

The Flexcube, developed by CEAD BV, a Netherlands-based specialist in large-format additive manufacturing, is a gantry-based industrial 3D printing system designed for the production of large composite parts, moulds, tooling and structural components.

The system uses pellet extrusion technology to enable the production of large-format components for demanding industrial applications.

For Nigerian industry, the capability brings large-format production closer to the point of need. Components that may previously have required overseas specification, tooling, production and shipment can now be manufactured in-country, reducing the distance between a design requirement and production-ready hardware.

The installation was led by engineers from CEAD BV, who worked alongside the Arridex team throughout the deployment and operational training of the system.

Following the training, Arridex engineers received CEAD Operator Certificates, strengthening the in-country technical capability required to operate the technology and sustain its use locally.

“The significance of this installation goes beyond the machine itself. We are building the capability to move from a requirement on paper to production of large composite parts, moulds, tooling and structural components here in Nigeria, particularly where the scale and complexity of the components have traditionally pushed manufacturing offshore,” the chief executive of Arridex, Mr Kayode Adeleke, said.

“This is what we mean when we talk about building industrial capacity in Africa. We are not simply acquiring technology. We are putting the technology to work, developing the people to operate it, and creating the conditions for more of what industry needs to be designed and manufactured closer to where it is needed,” he added.