Apollo vs Zeus vs Medusa vs Cerberus: Comparing Rapid Fusion’s LFAM Systems

You’ve decided it’s time to stop outsourcing large plastic parts. Then you look at Rapid Fusion’s range and find four machines named after figures from Greek myth.

Which one is actually yours?

Good news: they aren’t four unrelated products. They’re a family, and each one answers a different question about how and where you make things. This guide walks through Apollo, Zeus, Medusa, and Cerberus in plain terms, so you can choose which robotic 3D printing system fits your production.

The quick pick

Short on time? Start here.

• Apollo: the modular starting point for large-format printing

• Zeus: printing plus CNC milling, so you finish in-house

• Medusa: an enclosed, automated system for production

• Cerberus: a deployable container for remote sites

Keep reading to see which one fits your parts. 

What Is Large Format Additive Manufacturing? 

Large format additive manufacturing, usually shortened to LFAM, means printing big. Think parts measured in metres: tooling, moulds, jigs, fixtures, patterns and end-use components.

Desktop printers use thin filament. LFAM typically feeds raw plastic pellets through a high-output extruder instead. Pellets cost less than filament, and they let you print far faster.

All four (Apollo, Zeus, Medusa, Cerberus) start with pellet printing. What sets them apart is the finishing and the location. 

Apollo 3D printer: the modular starting point

Apollo 3D Printer is Rapid Fusion’s primary platform, and the one the others grow from. It’s a complete robotic 3D printing system for printing large, robust parts.

At a glance

• PE320 pellet extruder on a KUKA robotic arm

• Open-source Epicurus Controller Pro

• Modular heated bed, air kit, smart loom and pellet drying unit

• Works with open software such as Aibuild and Adaxis

Why it matters

Rapid Fusion says Apollo can cut material costs by up to 90 per cent compared with filament-based systems. It prints full-scale parts in hours rather than days, without the need for moulds or complex tooling.

Apollo is also modular. Start with printing, then add milling, shaping, or new print heads later without replacing the whole machine.

Best for: newcomers to LFAM, teams proving the business case, or anyone who only needs printing.

Zeus 3D printer: print big, finish in-house

Zeus is what Apollo becomes when you add CNC milling. It’s built on Apollo’s architecture, so you keep the pellet extruder and robotic arm, with a milling tool in the same setup.

Printed parts rarely come off the bed ready to use. Moulds and jigs need a smooth, accurate finish, which normally means a second machine and hand finishing. Zeus 3D Printer does it all in one setup. 

At a glance

• Pellet extrusion and CNC milling in one system

• A tool changer swaps between the extruder and the milling tool

• Aimed at jigs, fixtures, moulds and functional parts with demanding tolerances

Why it matters

Less outsourcing, shorter lead times and a smaller footprint, because one system does the work of two.

Best for: teams that lose time and money sending parts out for finishing. 

Medusa 3D printer: hybrid manufacturing on a production footing

Medusa 3D Printer takes the same idea and makes it industrial. It’s a fully enclosed system that switches between tools automatically.

At a glance

• Pellet and dual filament printing plus a CNC spindle

• Siemens industrial PLCs and drives, designed for continuous duty

• Zivid scanner maps the printed surface so milling lines up without manual measuring

• AI-driven calibration and defect detection

• MES connectivity and robotic material handling for lights-out running

Why it matters

It gives consistent results. Automated checks and scanning take the guesswork out, which matters when you’re making parts every week, not once in a while. 

Best for: teams moving from a few parts to running production. It’s more machine than you need if you only print the odd mould.

Cerberus 3D printer: manufacturing at the point of need

Cerberus 3D Printer is the odd one out, in the best way. It packs pellet and filament printing and CNC milling into a standard high-cube shipping container.

At a glance

• Deployment in as little as 25 minutes once power is connected, according to Rapid Fusion

• Built for remote sites, forward bases and disaster zones

• External bulk material feed

• 32-inch ruggedised touchscreen and remote monitoring

Why it matters

It’s easier to ship a container of raw material than a stock of finished parts. So instead of waiting for parts to be delivered, you make them on site, when you need them. 

Best for: teams that need parts in remote locations or can’t afford to wait on deliveries. 

Quick Comparison: Apollo vs Zeus vs Medusa vs Cerberus 

How to choose between them

Ask yourself three questions.

1. Do your parts need finishing?

If your printed parts can be used straight off the bed, Apollo may be all you need. If they need machined surfaces or tight tolerances, Zeus or Medusa is the better fit. 

2. How much will you make?

Occasional large parts point towards Apollo or Zeus. Steady production with automation and quality monitoring points towards Medusa.

3. Where will the machine live?

A factory floor suits the first three. A remote or temporary site suits Cerberus.

Because Apollo and Zeus share an architecture, your first step doesn’t lock you in. Starting small and growing is a sensible route into large format additive manufacturing.

Not sure what the numbers look like? Rapid Fusion’s production cost calculator shows what additives could change for your tooling costs before you commit.

Find the right system for your parts

Whether you’re printing your first large mould or planning a production cell, Rapid Fusion has a system built for the job.

Talk to the team about your parts, or try the production cost calculator to see what large format additive manufacturing could change for your tooling.

Conclusion

There’s no single best machine in Rapid Fusion’s range, only the one that fits your parts. Apollo gets you printing large parts quickly. Zeus adds milling so you can finish in-house. Medusa brings automation and quality checks for regular production. Cerberus takes it all to places a normal workshop can’t reach.

Because the range is built to grow, you don’t have to get it perfect on day one. Pick the robotic 3D printing system that solves today’s problem, and add capability when your work demands it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a robotic 3D printing system?

It’s a 3D printer that uses a robotic arm to move the print head. The arm’s long reach and flexible movement make it ideal for large parts. Apollo and Zeus are both built around a KUKA robotic arm. 

What does LFAM stand for?

Large format additive manufacturing. It means 3D printing parts measured in metres, usually using plastic pellets.

Which Rapid Fusion system is best for beginners?

Apollo. It’s modular, so you can start with printing and add milling later.

Do these systems replace CNC machines?

Not entirely. They suit plastic tooling, moulds, and large custom parts. For metal parts or simple high-volume work, a CNC machine is still the better route.

How quickly can Cerberus be set up?

Rapid Fusion quotes as little as 25 minutes once power is connected. Check timings for your own site with the team.