Busy 3D Printing news day today. The latest breaking announcement coming from Rock Hill, South Carolina, HQ for 3D Systems. The company has just released the news that it has acquired Belgium-based LayerWise, a leading provider of advanced direct metal 3D printing and manufacturing services. This will have a big impact on the 3D printing services that 3D Systems offers, nicely complementing 3D Systems acquisition of Medical Modelling earlier this year as well as expanding the company’s metal 3D printing portfolio. This is because LayerWise delivers quick-turn, 3D-printed metal parts, manufactured on its own proprietary line of direct metal 3D printers, for aerospace, high-precision equipment and medical and dental customers.
Jonas Van Vaerenbergh, one of LayerWise’s founders, commenting on the deal, said: “We are delighted to integrate our proprietary direct metal technology and processes into 3D Systems’ leading portfolio of products and services. With its culture of continuous innovation dating back to its founder Chuck Hull, the inventor of the first 3D printing technology, and its commitment to advancing direct metal 3D technology and medical device services, 3DS is the perfect fit for our company and strengthens our combined growth potential.”
Since 2008, LayerWise has designed and built its own direct metal 3D printers. Its proprietary powder-to-solid metal printers can produce functional metal parts at convincing production scale. LayerWise’s direct metal printers deliver relative part density of up to 99.98% and match conventional metals mechanical properties, at substantial unit weight reduction. These capabilities have led to rapid adoption of LayerWise manufacturing services by medical device, transportation and precision equipment customers for whom weight-reduction, strength and accuracy are paramount.
“The addition of LayerWise, with its award-winning direct metal printing technology, automated manufacturing processes at convincing scale and leading medical devices services, extends our first mover advantage in these high-growth areas substantially, to the immediate benefit of our aerospace, automotive and medical device customers,” said Avi Reichental, President and CEO, 3DS.
The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to 3DS’ cash generation. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed, however, LayerWise will operate under the continued leadership of its co-founders — Jonas Van Vaerenbergh and Peter Mercelis — and immediately pursue new projects in its high-end target markets, taking full advantage of the global market leadership of 3D Systems.
