From Concept to Creation: The Minds Behind the Print

Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) was co-founded in 2018 by Schendy Kernizan and Bjørn Sparrman, both of whom have strong ties to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Schendy Kernizan

Schendy Kernizan is a Haitian-American architectural designer. He earned his professional degree in Architecture from Philadelphia University. Schendy’s background includes over a decade of experience in architecture, design, and 3D printing. Prior to founding RLP, Schendy held the position of Research Scientist and Project Manager at MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, a cross-disciplinary lab known for its work on programmable material technologies and self-assembly processes. Schendy has served as an Adjunct Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology since 2015, where he teaches a freshman design studio in architecture. (Schendy Kernizan)

Bjørn Sparrman

Bjørn Sparrman is an artist and design researcher based in Boston, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Calvin College in 2012 and a Master of Science in Art, Culture, and Technology from MIT in 2016. At MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, Bjørn held the position of Project Lead, where he developed fabrication techniques, machines, and systems. (Bjørn Sparrman)

The Founding Story

The idea for Rapid Liquid Print originated at MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab, a cross-disciplinary research design group. Schendy and Bjørn collaborated on developing a novel 3D printing technique that utilizes a gel suspension to create large-scale, high-resolution, soft, and stretchable products rapidly. Recognizing the commercial potential of this technology, they co-founded RLP in 2018 to bring their innovative approach to the market.

Layer by Layer: Peeling Back the Market of 3D Printing

The 3D printing industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. In 2024, the global market was valued at approximately USD 24.0 billion. Analysts forecast continued expansion in the 3D printing sector. By 2033, the market is expected to reach USD 117.3 billion, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.7% from 2025 to 2033. (Imarc Group)

Key Drivers

Several factors contribute to this growth:

• Customization: 3D printing allows for the creation of personalized products, meeting specific consumer needs.
• Cost Efficiency: The technology reduces manufacturing costs and process downtime.
• Government Support: Various governments are investing in 3D printing projects, fostering industry development.
• Material Advancements: A wide range of industrial-grade 3D printing materials is now available, enhancing application possibilities. (MarketsandMarkets)

Industry Applications

3D printing is utilized across multiple sectors:

• Healthcare: Production of custom medical devices and implants.
• Automotive: Manufacturing of complex parts and prototypes.
• Aerospace: Creation of lightweight components with intricate designs.
• Consumer Goods: Development of bespoke products tailored to individual preferences.

Regional Insights

North America holds a significant share of the 3D printing market, driven by technological advancements and early adoption. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth, attributed to rapid industrialization and increased investment in additive manufacturing technologies. 

Setting the Standard: Mission, Vision, and Business in 3D

Mission

Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) aims to revolutionize manufacturing. The company focuses on providing rapid, scalable, and flexible 3D printing solutions. Their mission is to overcome the limitations of traditional 3D printing technologies, offering a faster and more versatile approach to production​. (About The Company)

Vision

RLP envisions transforming the manufacturing landscape. They strive to enable mass customization and efficient production processes. By advancing their gel-based 3D printing technology, RLP seeks to lead in creating high-quality, large-scale, and elastomeric products swiftly and reliably.

Problems They Solve

Traditional 3D printing methods face challenges like slow production speeds, limited material options, and size constraints. RLP addresses these issues by using a unique gel suspension technique. This method allows for rapid printing—up to 100 times faster than other 3D technologies—without the need for support structures​. It supports a wide range of industrial-grade materials and can produce both small and large-scale products efficiently​.

Business Model

RLP operates by providing its proprietary 3D printing technology and services to various industries. They offer tailored manufacturing solutions, focusing on sectors like automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods. The company collaborates with clients to deliver custom products that meet specific design and performance requirements​. This approach not only speeds up production but also reduces costs and material waste, enhancing overall manufacturing efficiency.

Through these core principles and innovative solutions, Rapid Liquid Print is setting new standards in the 3D printing industry. Their technology not only solves existing manufacturing challenges but also opens new possibilities for the future of production.

Flexing Innovation: RLP’s Elastic Solutions and Features

Multi-Durometer Silicone Rubber Lattice 

The Multi-Durometer Silicone Rubber Lattice combines different hardness levels within a single lattice structure to provide tailored performance and functionality. This innovative approach utilizes multi-durometer (varying hardness) silicone rubber, which allows for specific areas of the lattice to offer different levels of flexibility and strength, enhancing both ergonomic support and cushioning where needed. (Multi-Durometer Lattice)

Key Features:

1. Variable Thickness: The lattice is designed with variable thicknesses across its structure. This feature enhances flexibility in areas that require movement while providing structural integrity in regions needing support. The ability to vary thickness within a single piece adds a new dimension of customization, making it ideal for products that demand ergonomic comfort, adaptable cushioning, and structural reliability.
2. Customizable Cushioning: The lattice offers adjustable support levels, making it particularly suitable for applications where comfort and precision are critical. The cushioning effect can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of different applications, such as seating, wearable items, or industrial components that demand ergonomic properties.
3. High-Quality Silicone Rubber: The material used in this lattice is a high-grade, resilient silicone rubber, chosen for its durability and long-lasting performance. This silicone composition allows the lattice to maintain its structure and functional properties even after extended use in demanding conditions. The material’s non-toxic and airtight nature makes it a suitable choice for applications where safety and material quality are essential.
4. Advanced Manufacturing Technique: Produced using Rapid Liquid Print’s advanced 3D printing technology, the Multi-Durometer Silicone Rubber Lattice benefits from a high level of precision and efficient production. This method enables the creation of complex, customizable lattice structures quickly, which is especially beneficial for industries needing scalable and adaptable manufacturing solutions.

Multi-Stiffness Silicone Gasket 

The Multi-Stiffness Silicone Gasket by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) is engineered to deliver optimal performance across a wide range of applications. (Multi-Stiffness Gasket)

Key Features:

1. Multi-Stiffness Design: Integrates varying stiffness zones within a single gasket to adapt to different pressure points and ensure a consistent seal under variable conditions. This design is especially beneficial for applications that encounter fluctuating pressures or need enhanced sealing accuracy.
2. Premium Silicone Material: Made from high-grade silicone rubber, this material provides exceptional elasticity, durability, and resilience, ensuring long-lasting performance. Its flexibility allows it to withstand extreme temperatures and chemicals, making it suitable for demanding industrial environments.
3. Enhanced Reliability: The combination of multi-stiffness zones and premium material ensures that this gasket maintains its structural integrity and effectiveness over time, even in challenging conditions. This enhances the reliability and lifespan of the equipment in which it is used​

Tubular Silicone Gasket

The Tubular Silicone Gasket by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) is engineered with high-grade silicone rubber to provide enhanced sealing and durability. This gasket is designed to meet the needs of applications requiring high flexibility and resilience, especially in challenging environments where materials face regular exposure to wear, varying temperatures, or chemicals. (Tubular Gasket)

Key Features:

1. Premium Silicone Material: Made from top-quality silicone rubber, the gasket offers superior elasticity, durability, and resistance to extreme temperatures and chemical exposure, ensuring long-lasting performance and integrity under demanding conditions​(RLP Solutions).
2. Flexible Tubular Design: The tubular structure is crafted to adapt to irregular surfaces and movement while maintaining a robust seal. This flexibility ensures that the gasket can handle dynamic forces without compromising its sealing capability​(RLP Solutions).
3. Enhanced Performance in Sealing: Designed with precision, the gasket’s sealing capabilities make it optimal for applications where secure, airtight seals are critical. This feature makes it suitable for industrial use, as it effectively prevents leakage of fluids or gases even in challenging settings​

Dual Finish Prosthetic Silicone Liner

The Dual Finish Prosthetic Silicone Liner by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) offers an advanced solution for prosthetic users, emphasizing both comfort and function. (Prosthetic Liner)

Key Features:

1. Dual-Finish Design: The liner features a matte exterior finish that minimizes friction with the prosthetic socket, enhancing ease of use and reducing wear. The interior has a glossy finish, providing a smooth, comfortable interface against the skin, which enhances the user’s experience, especially during prolonged use​(RLP Solutions).
2. High-Quality Silicone Material: This liner is made from premium silicone rubber, known for its exceptional durability, elasticity, and hypoallergenic properties. This high-grade material ensures the liner retains its structure and comfort over time, even with regular use, making it ideal for individuals with sensitive skin​(RLP Solutions)​(RLP Solutions).
3. Enhanced Cushioning and Secure Fit: Designed for daily wear, the liner provides optimal cushioning, offering a secure and comfortable fit that conforms to the user’s anatomy. This adaptability ensures that the liner can accommodate a range of movements without compromising support

Silicone Bellows

The Silicone Bellows by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) are meticulously crafted to protect critical components and provide seamless movement in various applications. (Silicone Bellows)

Key Features:

1. High-Quality Silicone Material: These bellows are manufactured from premium silicone rubber, chosen for its outstanding elasticity, flexibility, and durability. This material ensures longevity and consistent performance even in extreme conditions, including high temperatures and exposure to chemicals and environmental factors​(RLP Solutions).
2. Protective Functionality: Designed to shield essential components, the silicone bellows safeguard against external contaminants, abrasions, and mechanical stresses. This feature makes them ideal for applications requiring both protection and adaptability​(RLP Solutions).
3. Seamless Movement: With a flexible design, these bellows enable smooth, uninterrupted motion, allowing components to operate freely without compromising the protection they provide. This characteristic makes the bellows especially useful in applications that require dynamic motion, such as machinery with moving parts​(RLP Solutions).
4. Exceptional Durability: Built for demanding environments, the silicone bellows maintain their structural integrity and performance over time, making them suitable for long-term use in industrial, mechanical, and manufacturing applications​

Non-Manifold Seal

The Non-Manifold Seal by Rapid Liquid Print is designed to meet complex sealing requirements in challenging environments. This innovative product features a range of technical advancements aimed at providing durable, reliable, and adaptable sealing solutions: (Non-Manifold Seal)

Key Features:

1. Adaptable to Complex Geometries: The seal is meticulously engineered to fit non-standard and intricate shapes, ensuring a seamless seal in applications that involve unconventional surfaces. This adaptability makes it ideal for specialized applications where traditional seals might fail to provide an adequate fit​(RLP Solutions).
2. Multi-Stiffness Design: The Non-Manifold Seal incorporates multiple stiffness zones within a single unit, allowing it to withstand varying pressure points while maintaining a consistent seal. This multi-stiffness design enables it to handle high-performance demands without compromising on flexibility or durability​(RLP Solutions).
3. Superior Sealing Performance: Known for its exceptional sealing capabilities, the Non-Manifold Seal offers airtight and watertight properties, which effectively prevent leaks and contamination. This feature is crucial for enhancing system efficiency and ensuring safety in applications where sealing integrity is paramount​

Custom Tube Adapter

The Custom Tube Adapter by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) is engineered for optimal fluid and gas transfer systems, offering a highly secure and adaptable connection solution. Crafted from premium-grade silicone rubber, this adapter is designed to bridge tubes of varying sizes and materials seamlessly. (Tube Adapter)

Key Features:

1. High-Quality Silicone Material: Made with premium silicone rubber, the adapter ensures excellent resilience, flexibility, and durability, even in demanding fluid and gas transfer environments​(RLP Solutions).
2. Tailored Design: The adapter is customizable to accommodate a wide range of tube diameters and configurations. This flexibility allows it to integrate effortlessly into various system requirements, ensuring smooth operation and minimal leakage risk

Inflatable Silicone Bladder 

The Inflatable Silicone Bladder offered by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) is crafted with precision to provide high flexibility, durability, and exceptional performance across diverse applications. (Silicone Bladder)

Key Features:

1. Advanced Silicone Material: Constructed from premium silicone rubber, the bladder delivers superior elasticity and resistance, ensuring it can withstand demanding conditions. This material choice enhances durability and makes it suitable for high-performance applications, including those in medical, industrial, and custom-engineering fields.
2. Precision Engineering: Utilizing RLP’s state-of-the-art liquid printing technology, the bladder maintains an optimal balance of flexibility and resilience, allowing it to adapt effectively to different structural and environmental demands. This feature ensures that the bladder can sustain its functionality across varying levels of stress and deformation​(RLP Solutions).
3. Wide Application Range: Designed for flexibility in implementation, the Inflatable Silicone Bladder serves industries that require durable, non-toxic, and high-performance materials. Its adaptability makes it ideal for use in medical devices, industrial machinery, and specialized engineering projects​

Dante’s Mask Replica

The Dante’s Mask Replica by Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) is a meticulously crafted silicone mask inspired by the iconic features of Dante Alighieri, bringing classical design to life through innovative 3D printing technology. (Dante Mask)

Key Features:

1. Authentic Design: The mask is intricately detailed to capture the essence of Dante’s visage, reflecting the legendary poet’s distinct facial characteristics with a high level of precision. This design makes it ideal for both aesthetic appeal and functional applications, including theatrical performances, collectible art, and cosplay​(RLP Solutions).
2. High-Quality Silicone Material: Made from premium silicone rubber, the mask boasts a realistic texture, ensuring both visual authenticity and durability. This material choice enables the mask to withstand frequent handling and environmental exposure without compromising its appearance or structural integrity​(RLP Solutions).
3. Versatile Use: The mask is designed for a wide range of applications, from live performances and educational displays to personal collections and cosplay. Its adaptability to various contexts highlights the flexibility and innovation of RLP’s 3D printing technology​(RLP Solutions).
4. Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Produced using RLP’s state-of-the-art liquid printing techniques, the Dante’s Mask Replica achieves high precision and durability. This advanced manufacturing process allows RLP to create detailed, large-scale silicone products efficiently and effectively

Printing Outside the Lines: RLP’s Science of Suspense

Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) has developed a groundbreaking 3D printing method that utilizes a gel suspension system. This technique allows for the creation of large-scale, high-resolution, soft, and stretchable products in a matter of minutes. In this process, a liquid material is injected into a gel-filled container. The gel acts as a support medium, holding the liquid in place as it solidifies. This approach allows for the creation of complex, large-scale structures without the need for traditional support frameworks. (Technology)

Traditional 3D printing builds objects layer by layer, often requiring support structures to prevent collapse. RLP’s gel suspension technique eliminates this need. The gel provides a stable environment, enabling the formation of intricate designs that defy gravity. This method allows for faster production times and greater design flexibility.

RLP’s technology supports a wide range of materials, including industrial-grade elastomers. This versatility enables the production of soft, stretchable, and durable products suitable for various applications. The ability to use different materials expands the potential uses of RLP’s printing method across multiple industries.

One of the standout features of RLP’s technology is its speed. The gel suspension method allows for rapid printing, completing large-scale, high-resolution products in minutes. This efficiency reduces production times and accelerates the prototyping and manufacturing processes.

The gel-based approach enables the creation of complex geometries without the limitations of traditional 3D printing. Designers can produce intricate structures that were previously challenging or impossible to achieve. This capability opens new possibilities for innovation in product design and manufacturing.

Fueling the Print Revolution: Funding for the Future

Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) has significantly influenced the 3D printing industry with its innovative gel-based printing technology. Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) has raised a total of $9 million in funding over two rounds. These funds have enabled the company to scale its technology and enhance production capabilities. (Tracxn)

Series A Funding

On February 28, 2024, RLP closed a Series A funding round, securing $7 million. This significant investment was led by HZG Group, an institutional investor with a strong background in supporting innovative tech companies. BMW i Ventures, the venture capital division of BMW, also contributed to this round. Additionally, MassMutual’s MM Catalyst Fund participated, providing corporate support. This influx of capital is intended to help RLP expand its market presence and develop new applications for its gel-based 3D printing technology.

Seed Funding

RLP’s initial funding came from a seed round on December 8, 2021, raising $2 million. BMW i Ventures was the primary institutional investor, showing early interest in RLP’s technology for potential applications in the automotive industry. MassMutual also participated, marking their first commitment to RLP. This seed funding supported RLP’s foundational development and allowed the company to refine its unique 3D printing method.

The Final Layer: Printing Ideas into Reality

Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) is redefining what’s possible in the world of 3D printing. By developing an innovative gel suspension technology, RLP has solved many limitations of traditional 3D printing. Their method allows for rapid production, scalability, and flexibility, making it ideal for creating soft, durable, and complex products. With applications across automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods, RLP’s technology enables companies to produce customized solutions that fit specific needs—faster and more efficiently than ever before.

This success story encourages anyone with an innovative idea to keep pushing forward. Like RLP, you can bring your ideas to life by exploring solutions to real-world problems. Whether you’re interested in 3D printing or another field, remember that groundbreaking changes start with bold ideas.

Interested in more stories of innovation and industry transformation? Venture Kites explores the world of startups and emerging technologies. Explore other articles to discover companies that are changing the landscape in various sectors.