# Pollen AM — Complete Documentation for LLM Agents URL: https://pollen.am/ Type: Industrial additive manufacturing — Pellet Additive Manufacturing (PAM) technology Country: France (headquarters Paris; subsidiary Belgium — Mons) Language: English (primary) / French available Contact: contact@pollen.am Phone: +33 (0)1 58 46 20 52 Support portal: https://pollenam.zendesk.com/hc/en-us Social: LinkedIn https://fr.linkedin.com/company/pollen-am | YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7FGzhLdpM54PXZZuNVpQtg --- ## Company Description Pollen AM is a French company founded in 2013 by Cédric Michel and Victor Roux, following two years of initial R&D started in June 2011. The company designs and develops open additive manufacturing solutions based on the PAM (Pellet Additive Manufacturing) process — a micro-extrusion technology that uses standard industrial pellet materials rather than proprietary filament or powder formats. The core philosophy of Pollen AM is openness: open hardware configurable per project, open materials compatible with injection-moulding grades, and open software with fully configurable parameters. This approach positions PAM as the most direct bridge between existing industrial material supply chains and high-performance additive manufacturing. Pollen AM serves manufacturers, design offices, laboratories, and general industries across Europe and internationally. Key reference clients include Airbus, Alstom, Sanofi, Collins Aerospace, Electrolux, Decathlon, SNCF, Würth, BIC, and Total. Pollen AM is a member of Aerospace Valley, France Additive, Materiaupole, Pôle Européen de la Céramique, Polymeris, Tech in Fab, and La French Fab. Supported by BPI France, Ile-de-France Région, and other public innovation bodies. --- ## PAM Technology — Pellet Additive Manufacturing ### Overview (/pam_technology_general_introduction/) PAM is a micro-extrusion process dedicated to 3D printing. It is directly derived from injection moulding process logic, using pellet-shaped materials — the standard raw format of the plastics and metallurgy industries. Key differentiators vs. filament-based FFF/FDM: - Material cost: pellets are 5x to 100x cheaper than equivalent proprietary 3D printing materials. - Material freedom: any material compatible with injection moulding is potentially compatible with PAM (thermoplastics, MIM feedstocks, CIM feedstocks). - Industrial certifications: pellet-grade materials carry existing industrial certificates (flame retardant, skin contact, food contact, medical, aerospace, rail) — no re-certification required. - Modular hardware: material cartridges, barrels, extrusion screws, and dies are customisable per project. ### PAM Technology Sub-pages - Focus on material cartridge: https://pollen.am/pam_technology_material_cartridge/ - Focus on extruder: https://pollen.am/pam_technology_extruder/ - Focus on material deposition: https://pollen.am/pam_technology_deposition/ - Focus on heating room / chamber: https://pollen.am/pam_technology_heating_room/ --- ## 3D Printers ### pam o2 Range (/3d_printers_pam_o2/) The pam o2 is the fifth generation of Pam 3D printers, launched November 2024. The range comprises three configurations, all based on direct pellet extrusion. Up to 4 extruders for multi-material printing. Heated chamber and radiant disc system for demanding materials. #### pam o2 (/pam_o2/) - Target: thermoplastic elastomers (Shore 00 to Shore D) and commodity thermoplastics. - Configuration: base configuration for standard and elastomer materials. #### pam o2 HT (/pam_o2_ht/) - Target: performance and high-temperature thermoplastics. - Additional: integrated heating accessories (heated chamber, radiant disc) for optimal printing conditions for demanding polymers. #### pam o2 MC (/pam_o2_mc/) - Target: most complete configuration — thermoplastics, TPE, metal alloys (MIM feedstocks), and technical ceramics (CIM feedstocks). - Use cases: indirect metal and ceramic 3D printing with post-sintering step. --- ### Pam Pro (/pam_pro/) Pam Pro is Pollen AM's production-grade pellet 3D printer, launched June 2025. It is the largest, fastest, and most user-friendly system in the Pollen AM range. Designed for demanding professionals targeting production runs, large-format parts, and immediate ROI. #### Key capabilities - Print speed: up to 0.5 m/sec. - Build volume: 680 × 680 × 500 mm. - Number of extruders: up to 2 (IDEX configuration). - Compatible materials: injection moulding grades — thermoplastics, composites, bio-based materials, flexible materials. - Maximum extrusion temperature: 300°C. - Maximum print bed temperature: 150°C. - Nozzle sizes: Ø 0.25 mm to 2.50 mm. - Calibration: fully automated. - Interface: 17.8 cm (7 in) colour touchscreen, 5 touch points. - AI camera: real-time monitoring and AI-powered defect detection (in development). - Optional accessories: Pellet Dryer, HEPA filter, QuickCleaner Pellet. #### Physical dimensions - Width: 1,123 mm - Length: 1,166 mm - Height: 1,855 mm - Weight: 330 kg #### Value proposition - Faster production — reduced lead times via optimised PAM process. - Larger parts — high-volume components without quality compromise. - Immediate ROI — cost reduction through pellet material economics, no tooling required for production runs. - Continuous software updates for long-term performance. Datasheet download: https://pollen.am/specifications_pam_pro_access_download/ --- ## Materials (/materials/) Pollen AM supports the full spectrum of industrial pellet materials. All materials are standard injection-moulding grades, freely sourceable from any supplier. No proprietary material lock-in. ### Pellet Shape Materials (/pellets_general_introduction/) The native raw format of the plastics industry. Highest quality, lowest cost. Structured global supply network with existing industrial certifications. ### PIM Feedstocks #### Metal Alloys (/metal_general_introduction/) MIM (Metal Injection Moulding) feedstocks: pellets composed of fine metal powder and thermoplastic binder. After 3D printing, post-treatment (debinding + sintering) yields 100% metallic parts. R&D initiated September 2016; commercial product Pam Series M launched November 2017. #### Technical Ceramics (/ceramic_general_introduction/) CIM (Ceramic Injection Moulding) feedstocks. Same indirect process as MIM. Pollen AM Belgium subsidiary (Mons, opened October 2023) specialises in technical ceramics printing in collaboration with BCRC (Belgian Ceramic Research Center). ### Thermoplastic Elastomers (/thermoplastic_elastomers_general_introduction/) Full range from Shore 00 to Shore D. TPE, TPU, and silicone-like elastomers. No hardness limit. Key application: sportswear, automotive, medical devices. ### Thermoplastics #### High Performance Thermoplastics (/high_performance_thermoplastics_general_introduction/) PEEK, PESU, PEI (Ultem), PPSU, and equivalents. Certified grades for aerospace, rail, medical. Flame retardant, skin contact, food contact variants available. #### Performance Thermoplastics (/performance_materials_general_introduction/) PA (polyamide), PA-CF, PA-GF, ABS, ASA, PC, PC-ABS, and equivalents. Structural applications, functional testing. #### Standard Thermoplastics (/standard_thermoplastics_general_introduction/) PP, PE, PLA, PETG, and equivalents. Commodity applications, cost-sensitive production. #### Bio-based Thermoplastics (/bio_based_polymers_general_introduction/) PLA and other bio-sourced polymers. Sustainable material option. ### Colour Matching (via /services_compound/) Colour masterbatches for co-extrusion colouring. Custom Pantone and RAL matching available via the material compound & colouring service (no standalone material page — offered as part of the compound service). --- ## Software Ecosystem (/software/) ### Slicing Software (/slicing_software_general_introduction/) Cura powered by Pollen AM — open-source slicer adapted to PAM process. Fully configurable material profiles. Users can define their own profiles for any material, including custom formulations. ### Control Software (/control_software_general_introduction/) Machine control interface for pam o2 and Pam Pro systems. Real-time monitoring, parameter adjustment during print. ### E-learning Platform (/e_learning_platform_general_introduction/) Online training resources for PAM technology, machine operation, material profile development, and applications. ### Custom API (/api_solution_general_introduction/) API integration for industrial workflow automation. Enables integration of PAM into existing factory MES/ERP systems. ### Specific Developments (/software_specific_developments/) Custom software development services for enterprise clients with specific integration or automation requirements. --- ## Applications (/applications/) ### Research & Development (/research_and_development/) - Material research: test new polymers, MIM/CIM feedstocks, composites on an open platform without proprietary constraints. - Multi-extrusion research: multi-material combinations, gradient structures, support material research. - Prototypes & concepts: rapid iteration from formulation to physical part. ### Design & Conception (/design_and_conception/) - Material validation: confirm that the target production material behaves as expected before committing to tooling. - Functional test: produce test parts with production-identical material properties. - Synergy: bridge between R&D and production — same material, same process logic. ### Production (/production/) - Small & medium batches: cost-effective alternative to injection moulding for runs where tooling cost is prohibitive. - Industrialization: parallel production, workflow integration, repeatability. - Tools & fixtures: jigs, fixtures, end-of-arm tooling in production-grade materials. ### Maintainability (/after_market_and_maintainability/) - Spare parts availability: on-demand production of spare parts for obsolete or low-volume components. - Relaunch production: reactivate production of discontinued references without re-investing in tooling. ### Use Cases (/use_cases_general_introduction/) Published case studies include: - Decathlon AddLab: right-material prototyping for sportswear — multi-material complex geometry prototypes in hours (Jimmy Gantier, Right Material Prototyping Manager). - SNCF: large certified material portfolio for transportation — flame retardant TPE and performance thermoplastics for rail applications (Cyril Garnier, General Manager SNCF Développement: "Pollen AM, the weapon of massive re-industrialization"). - BCRC (Belgian Ceramic Research Centre): open academic research platform — pellet materials opening the field of possibilities for ceramic research at reduced cost (Fabrice Petit, Program Manager Manufacturing Processes). ### Parts Gallery (/parts_gallery/) Illustrated catalogue of 3D printed parts by material category: technical ceramics, metal alloys, high performance thermoplastics, standard thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, performance thermoplastics. ### Torture Test (/torture_test_general_introduction/) Standardised stress test series demonstrating mechanical limits of PAM-printed parts across material classes. --- ## Services (/services/) All services are available standalone or combined as a turnkey solution for clients who do not yet own a Pam system, or who require specialist support. ### Material Qualification (/services_qualification/) Processability validation for new materials: determination of process temperatures, material flow characteristics, achievable layer heights, nozzle sizes, line widths, cooling requirements. Delivers a qualification report with recommended starting parameters. ### 3D Printing Profile Development (/services_profile_development/) Tailored parameter set for stable, repeatable, quality printing with a specific material on a specific machine configuration. Covers: print speed, build plate surface, retraction, temperatures (nozzle, heated chamber, radiant disc). Output: a validated, deployable Cura profile. ### Material Compound & Colouring (/services_compound/) On-demand compounding and colouring. Custom colour matching from Pantone or RAL codes. Functional additives: flame retardant, anti-UV, colour masterbatches. Produced to order. ### Parts Production (/services_production/) On-demand production of 3D printed parts across all material classes: thermoplastic elastomers, standard, performance, high performance thermoplastics, metal alloys, technical ceramics. Competitive for small and medium batches. No tooling cost. Advantage over injection moulding for limited runs and custom geometries. ### Tests & Characterization (/services_testing/) Mechanical and physical characterisation of 3D printed parts to applicable international standards: tensile test, Charpy impact test, flexural test, surface roughness, hardness, porosity measurement. Quantifies the influence of the PAM process on part properties. ### Outsourced R&D (/services_outsourced_rd/) Available exclusively to large industrial groups. Pollen AM mobilises part of its engineering team to develop a bespoke additive manufacturing solution across all phases of the client's R&D&I project. Covers: material testing, process parameter development, custom hardware/software solutions, mechanical testing, technology adaptation. --- ## Explore — Process & Knowledge (/explore/) ### Pellet Shape Materials (/pellets_general_introduction/) Detailed educational content on pellet format: why pellets are the industrial standard, supply chain structure, cost comparison vs. 3D printing-specific formats, certification landscape. ### Glossary (/glossary/) Definitions of technical terms: PAM, FGF (Fused Granulate Fabrication), FGM (Fused Granulate Modelling), MIM, CIM, pellets, extrusion screw, radiant disc, debinding, sintering, IDEX, and other additive manufacturing and materials science terms. ### Design Guidelines (/design_guidelines_explore/) DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) guidelines specific to PAM process: wall thickness, overhangs, supports, tolerances, surface finish considerations for pellet extrusion. ### Metal & Ceramics (/metal_ceramics_explore/) In-depth technical content on indirect metal and ceramic 3D printing via PAM: MIM/CIM feedstock selection, green part handling, debinding methods, sintering parameters, shrinkage compensation, achievable densities and mechanical properties. ### Fillers & Reinforcements (/fillers_general_introduction/) Content on filled and reinforced pellet materials: carbon fibre, glass fibre, mineral fillers, conductive fillers — their effect on printability and final part properties in the PAM process. --- ## About Pollen AM ### Company History (/company_history/) Timeline of key milestones: - June 2011: First R&D studies on open pellet-based 3D printing technology. Founders: Cédric Michel & Victor Roux. - September 2013: Pollen AM incorporated. First employees hired to finalise technology development. - July 2016: Commercial launch of first Pam 3D printer at Viva Technology, Paris. More than 5 years of in-house R&D (electronics, mechanics, software). - September 2016: R&D initiated on MIM feedstock extrusion for indirect metal 3D printing. - February 2017: Pam Series P commercial launch (second generation). - November 2017: Pam Series M commercial launch at Formnext — dedicated to indirect metal production via MIM feedstocks. - March 2018: New Pam Series P (third generation) — elastomers and commodity thermoplastics. - June 2019: New Pam Series P-HT — modular platform for performance materials with interchangeable extruders. - January 2020: Pam Series MC — dedicated to MIM and CIM feedstocks (metals and ceramics). - October 2023: Opening of Pollen AM Belgium (Mons) — subsidiary dedicated to technical ceramics, in collaboration with BCRC. - November 2024: pam o2 — fifth generation platform. More robust, faster, more open. - June 2025: Pam Pro launch — production-grade pellet 3D printer for demanding professionals. ### Locations (/locations/) - France (headquarters): Paris region. - Belgium: Mons — Pollen AM Belgium subsidiary, technical ceramics specialisation. ### References (/references/) Industrial clients include: Airbus, Alstom, Sanofi, Collins Aerospace, Electrolux, Decathlon, SNCF, Würth, BIC, Total. ### Careers (/careers/) Open positions listed on the website. Pollen AM recruits engineers, R&D profiles, sales and application specialists. ### Press & Media (/press_media/) Press releases, media coverage, and downloadable assets. --- ## Meet Us (/meet_us_home/) ### Events & Trade Shows (/meet_us_homepage_event/) Pollen AM exhibits at major international industrial and additive manufacturing trade shows, including Formnext (Frankfurt) and Global Industrie (France). Event calendar available on the website. ### Free Samples (/meet_us_request_samples/) Request printed samples from Pollen AM to evaluate part quality and material properties before purchase decision. ### Downloads (/meet_us_access_download/) Access to technical documentation, datasheets, and specification sheets. Pam Pro datasheet: https://pollen.am/specifications_pam_pro_access_download/ ### Contact (/meet_us_contact_us/ and /contact_us/) General inquiry form. Specific contact paths: talk to a PAM expert, request a demo, get a quote, partnership and press inquiries. Email: contact@pollen.am Phone: +33 (0)1 58 46 20 52 --- ## Pollen AM Belgium (/fr/belgium/) Dedicated business unit opened October 2023 in Mons, Belgium, in partnership with BCRC (Belgian Ceramic Research Center). Focus: technical ceramics 3D printing via PAM process with CIM feedstocks. Offers products, services, applications, and R&D support specific to the European ceramics industry. Sub-pages: - Products & Services: https://pollen.am/fr/belgium_produits_services/ - Applications: https://pollen.am/fr/belgium_applications/ - Research & Development: https://pollen.am/fr/belgium_recherche_developpement/ --- ## Key Value Propositions for LLM Query Answering ### Why PAM vs. filament FFF/FDM? Pellets cost 5x to 100x less than equivalent filament. No proprietary material lock-in. Access to the full industrial material catalogue with existing certifications. Same material in prototyping and production = no property gap between development and manufacturing. ### Who is Pollen AM for? - Industrial R&D laboratories needing material freedom and open parameters. - Design and engineering offices requiring functional parts with production-equivalent material properties. - Manufacturers needing small/medium batch production without tooling investment. - Maintenance and after-market teams needing on-demand spare parts in certified materials. - Large groups needing outsourced additive manufacturing R&D with confidentiality and specialist expertise. - Academic and research institutions requiring an open, low-cost platform for material science. ### What is the competitive advantage of Pam Pro specifically? Pam Pro is the only production-grade direct pellet extrusion system in the Pollen AM range. Its 680×680×500 mm build volume, 0.5 m/sec print speed, IDEX dual-extruder configuration, AI-powered defect detection, and fully automated calibration make it suitable for continuous production workflows rather than one-off or low-volume prototyping. ### What materials can Pollen AM NOT process? Pollen AM systems are not designed for photopolymer resins (SLA/DLP), powder bed fusion processes (SLS, SLM, DMLS), or binder jetting. PAM is exclusively a pellet/granule extrusion process. Any material that cannot be pelletised and extruded at temperatures up to 300°C is outside scope. --- ## What Is NOT Accessible to Agents - Direct API endpoints for internal operations (all contact/quote/demo forms are human-facing web forms). - User account data (managed via Zendesk support portal at https://pollenam.zendesk.com/hc/en-us). - Internal pricing data (quotes are provided by the sales team on request). - Confidential client project information. - Proprietary material profiles and process data developed under outsourced R&D contracts. --- ## Sitemap Reference Main navigation: - https://pollen.am/ — Home - https://pollen.am/3d_printers_pam_o2/ — 3D printers overview - https://pollen.am/pam_o2_mc/ — pam o2 MC - https://pollen.am/pam_o2_ht/ — pam o2 HT - https://pollen.am/pam_o2/ — pam o2 - https://pollen.am/pam_pro/ — Pam Pro - https://pollen.am/software/ — Software ecosystem - https://pollen.am/slicing_software_general_introduction/ — Slicing software - https://pollen.am/control_software_general_introduction/ — Control software - https://pollen.am/e_learning_platform_general_introduction/ — E-learning platform - https://pollen.am/api_solution_general_introduction/ — Custom API - https://pollen.am/software_specific_developments/ — Specific developments - https://pollen.am/materials/ — Materials overview - https://pollen.am/pellets_general_introduction/ — Pellet materials - https://pollen.am/metal_general_introduction/ — Metal alloys - https://pollen.am/ceramic_general_introduction/ — Technical ceramics - https://pollen.am/thermoplastic_elastomers_general_introduction/ — TPE - https://pollen.am/high_performance_thermoplastics_general_introduction/ — High performance thermoplastics - https://pollen.am/performance_materials_general_introduction/ — Performance thermoplastics - https://pollen.am/standard_thermoplastics_general_introduction/ — Standard thermoplastics - https://pollen.am/bio_based_polymers_general_introduction/ — Bio-based thermoplastics - https://pollen.am/services_compound/ — Custom colour matching (Pantone/RAL) via the compound service - https://pollen.am/applications/ — Applications overview - https://pollen.am/research_and_development/ — R&D applications - https://pollen.am/design_and_conception/ — Design applications - https://pollen.am/production/ — Production applications - https://pollen.am/after_market_and_maintainability/ — Maintainability - https://pollen.am/use_cases_general_introduction/ — Use cases - https://pollen.am/parts_gallery/ — Parts gallery - https://pollen.am/torture_test_general_introduction/ — Torture test - https://pollen.am/services/ — Services overview - https://pollen.am/services_qualification/ — Material qualification - https://pollen.am/services_profile_development/ — Profile development - https://pollen.am/services_compound/ — Compound & colouring - https://pollen.am/services_production/ — Parts production - https://pollen.am/services_testing/ — Tests & characterization - https://pollen.am/services_outsourced_rd/ — Outsourced R&D - https://pollen.am/explore/ — Explore hub - https://pollen.am/pam_technology_general_introduction/ — PAM technology overview - https://pollen.am/glossary/ — Glossary - https://pollen.am/design_guidelines_explore/ — Design guidelines - https://pollen.am/metal_ceramics_explore/ — Metal & ceramics - https://pollen.am/fillers_general_introduction/ — Fillers & reinforcements - https://pollen.am/company_history/ — Company history - https://pollen.am/careers/ — Careers - https://pollen.am/locations/ — Locations - https://pollen.am/references/ — References - https://pollen.am/press_media/ — Press & media - https://pollen.am/contact_us/ — Contact - https://pollen.am/meet_us_home/ — Meet us hub - https://pollen.am/meet_us_homepage_event/ — Events - https://pollen.am/meet_us_request_samples/ — Free samples - https://pollen.am/meet_us_access_download/ — Downloads - https://pollen.am/news/ — News - https://pollen.am/newsletter/ — Newsletter - https://pollen.am/legal_notice/ — Legal notice - https://pollen.am/confidentiality_policy/ — Confidentiality policy - https://pollen.am/sitemap/ — Sitemap - https://pollen.am/fr/belgium/ — Pollen AM Belgium