Consolidations, new desktop systems and more 3D printing news

Engineering.com’s roundup of recent 3D printing news.

By Ian Wright

Nano Dimension to acquire Desktop Metal

Nano Dimension and Desktop Metal announced a definitive agreement under which the former will acquire the latter in an all-cash transaction. According to Nano Dimension, the new combined company will aim to cross-sell to its existing customers as well as targeting new customers with complementary offerings for the automotive, aerospace and defense, and medical industries. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.

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Formlabs acquires Micronics following Kickstarter campaign

Formlabs has acquired Micronics LLC , a Wisconsin-based 3D printing company. With the acquisition, the Micronics founders and team will join Formlabs in the company’s shared mission to make SLS 3D printing accessible for product designers, engineers, innovators and other makers around the world.

Micronics is a new 3D printing company that announced its first desktop SLS 3D printer, Micron, on Kickstarter in June 2024. The printer is designed to deliver the strength and precision of SLS 3D printing technology in a compact form factor for detailed prototypes and durable end-use products.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Formlabs, a company we have long admired,” said Henry Chan co-founder and CEO of Micronics. “After the outpouring of excitement around our Kickstarter, we’re confident that this move will enable us to bring the best SLS 3D printing experience to users around the world by leveraging the incredible talent and experience at Formlabs. We are excited about this next phase in our mission to make digital fabrication even more accessible, and can’t wait to get started.”

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ELEGOO debuts three new desktop 3D printers at RAPID

Shenzhen-based ELEGOO had three new models of desktop 3D printers on display at this year’s RAPD+TCT: the Mars 5, the Mars 5 Ultra and its first CoreXY 3D printer, the Centauri Carbon. “After extensive testing to ensure it’s 100% ready, we now decided to officially launch our first CoreXY printer,” said Chris Hong, founder and CEO of ELEGOO. “The Centauri Carbon aims to set a new industry standard by being incredibly beginner-friendly and accessible to everyone. It also serves as a workhorse for hobbyists, artists, designers, students, teachers, small businesses, and anyone who loves to create and make things, unleashing their creativity with just a few clicks.”

Among other features, the Centauri Carbon has a fully enclosed build volume, machine vision capabilities and an aluminum die-cast frame. The Mars 5 and Mars 5 Ultra are the successors to ELEGOO’s earlier Mars 3 and Mars 4 series of resin-based 3D printers. The newest machines can print at up to 150mm/h, with the option to calibrate resin exposure time as needed. Prices for the Mars 5 and Mars 5 Ultra start at $179 and $269, respectively.

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Nikon announces strategic reorganization of Morf3D

Nikon has announced a strategic reorganization of Morf3D, a subsidiary acquired in July 2023. Under the reorganization, the subsidiary will relaunch under the new name Nikon AM Synergy Inc. .

According to the Nikon, this transformation includes new leadership and a refreshed mission to align with the company’s broader goals. More specifically, the reorganization involves a shift from Morf3D’s former general-purpose contract manufacturing service bureau, which includes the closure of the subsidiary’s El Segundo, California location and the divestment of what Nikon called “non-essential equipment.”

Now operating from Nikon’s advanced manufacturing business unit facility in Long Beach, California, Nikon AM Synergy will be dedicated to accelerating the adoption and scaling of metal additive manufacturing, with a particular focus on the defense and aerospace sectors. According to the company, this will be achieved through the integration of Nikon SLM Solutions AG’s laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology and Nikon’s internally developed directed energy deposition (DED) solutions, enhanced by the company’s metallurgy and metrology capabilities.

Nikon AM Synergy will aim to offer specialized capabilities within an ultra-secure environment in the United States, with a focus on meeting the stringent security requirements of defense and aerospace clients.

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