Business

PostProcess Technologies raises $20M in Series B funding, plans European expansion

New York-based automated post-printing developer PostProcess Technologies has completed a $20M Series B funding round. The company has also revealed plans to expand its European presence, comprising a new benchmarking facility in France, and EU Channel Partner Network appointments. 

PostProcess’ Series B funding round was led by Grand Oaks Capital, a private investment firm headed by American businessman Tom Golisano. The company plans to use the additional funding to accelerate the development of its proprietary software, hardware, and chemistry post-processing solutions, focusing specifically on data analytics and machine learning. PostProcess also aims to significantly increase its global go-to-market activity with the new funding. “Our automated solutions have proven mission-critical at over 100 companies and transformed the third step in the additive process,” comments Jeff Mize, CEO at PostProcess Technologies. 

“The global demand continues to increase, and we are pleased with the rapid expansion of our team, channel partners, and customer base in the EU.”

PostProcess Technologies at TCT 2019. Photo by Michael Petch.

Hardware, software and materials from PostProcess Technologies

Founded in 2014, PostProcess Technologies develops automated post-printing solutions, comprising machines, software and materials, with the intention of significantly reducing the labor-intensive post-processing tasks of 3D printing. These are often the most time consuming activities, requiring manual processes such as support removal and surface finishing. 

Amongst PostProcess’ large range of hardware is the BASE system for automated support removal on 3D printed parts. It features a 360-degree spray to ensure complete part coverage. As well as removing supports, the machine rinses and dries parts, and is compatible with FDM, SLA, CLIP and PolyJet 3D printing technologies. For automated surface finishing, the company provides its RADOR hardware unit. The system is capable of achieving various types of finishes on a wide range of 3D printed materials. 

PostProcess’ proprietary AUTOMAT3D software helps its machines to deliver the required amount of finishing by varying agitation intensities, temperatures, process time and other factors using pre-programmed recipe formulations. The company introduced the CONNECT3D extension for the software in 2018, which extends tools to the cloud to complete the digital thread between design, additive manufacturing, and post-processing.

Finally, PostProcess also provides support removal detergents to be used with its machines and software. The company recently released a new 3D printed SLA resin removal, named PG1.2, that can reportedly remove all supports on SLA 3D printed parts in 5 to 10 minutes. 

PostProcess' POLYGONE™ (PG) chemistry line. Photo via PostProcess Technologies.
PostProcess’ POLYGONE™ (PG) chemistry line. Photo via PostProcess Technologies.

European expansion

To support its European expansion, PostProcess will increase its footprint in the region with investment into a new FINISH3D Benchmarking Lab at its existing Sophia-Antipolis facility in France. The company now has two FINISH3D labs, with the other located in its Buffalo headquarters. They are designed to host benchmark test solutions, as well as provide technology demonstrations and training. Its new benchmarking facility has been supported with a grant from the Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur authorities, one of the administrative regions of France. 

Increasing its EU distribution network, PostProcess has added two new firms to its European Channel Partner network. These distributors include CYLAOS, a French-based 3D printing reseller that will cover the French market for PostProcess. The second European channel partner is KMC, a company specializing in mechanical surface treatment. KMC will serve PostProcess’ customer base in the Nordics region.

“As demand for our automated and intelligent post-print solutions rapidly expands across markets and geographies, we’re excited to bring highly experienced and reputable partners like CYLAOS and KMC on board,” commented Bruno Bourguet, Managing Director of PostProcess Technologies International.

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Featured image shows PostProcess Software Driven AM Post-Print Solutions. Photo via PostProcess Technologies.