IRPD, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, is a world-leading mechanical engineering company in the field of additive manufacturing. With the IMPACT 4530 developed by IRPD and manufactured in Switzerland, the company is presenting its customers with the world's first industrial additive machine tool “Made in Switzerland” for the production of metal components.

IRPD has its origins in the mid-1990s as a research and development institute in the Swiss university landscape for powder-based additive manufacturing technologies. Initially, the company was still run as a joint venture with inspire AG (ETH Zurich), but the UNITED GRINDING Group has been the sole shareholder since 2019.

IRPD is also active in the additive manufacturing services sector alongside its core business of selling additive machine tools “Made in Switzerland”. In addition to consulting, seminars, and workshops, this also includes contract manufacturing of high-quality components made of metal or plastic.

IRPD is part of the UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS.

With total sales of over USD 1.5 billion, UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS is one of the largest machine tool manufacturers in the world. With around 5,000 employees at over 50 global production, service and sales locations, UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS is close to its customers and highly efficient.

The group is organized into two divisions: UNITED GRINDING and UNITED MACHINING.

UNITED GRINDING includes the brands MÄGERLE, BLOHM, JUNG, STUDER, SCHAUDT, MIKROSA, WALTER, EWAG and IRPD. Its technologies include surface and profile grinding machines, cylindrical grinding machines, machines for tool machining and machine tools for additive manufacturing.

The UNITED MACHINING division includes the brands AGIE CHARMILLES, CHARMILLES, MIKRON MILL, LIECHTI, STEP TEC and SYSTEM 3R. It includes machines for EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), high-speed milling and laser technology as well as spindle production and automation solutions.