3D Printing News Briefs: May 12, 2017

In this week’s second edition of 3D Printing News Briefs, we’ve got stories on 3D printing business, a new facility, and a couple of new products. The SYNNEX Corporation announced that it is now the exclusive distributor of HP’s Jet Fusion 3D Printing solution in North America, a new distributor for Verashape means that the VSHAPER is expanding to the UK market, and Methods 3D is partnering up with Markforged. The Prodways Group was just listed on Euronext and Sintavia introduced plans for its new advanced manufacturing facility, while Omegasonics announces its new ultrasonic cleaning system and Polaroid is expanding its 3D pen lineup in North America with a new offering.

SYNNEX Named the Exclusive North American Distributor for HP Jet Fusion 3D Printers

Fortune 500 company and leading Technology Solutions distributor SYNNEX Corporation announced this week that it has been chosen as the exclusive distributor for HP’s Jet Fusion 3D Printing solution in the US and Canada. Two production units of the HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D 4200 Printer, which is up to ten times faster and half as expensive as other systems, hit US soil when they were delivered to California-based Jabil in December. HP’s Open Platform approach is expanding the availability of new materials, which is helping to foster further adoption of 3D printing by a larger community.

Alex Moñino, Director of Worldwide Marketing and Sales Strategy for 3D Printing, HP Inc., said, “We look forward to working with SYNNEX as the distributor of HP Multi Jet Fusion technology in the U.S. and Canada to scale the HP 3D printing business. SYNNEX is an experienced and reliable partner that will help HP drive the digital reinvention of manufacturing and, most importantly, provide customers with exceptional service and the market’s leading technology for advanced 3D applications.”

SYNNEX has spent four years designing and implementing 3D programs, and will leverage its 20-year relationship with HP to help managed service providers and resellers take advantage of groundbreaking 3D printing solutions and hardware.

VSHAPER 3D Printers Hitting the UK Market with New Distribution Partner

VSHAPER MED

VERASHAPE announced that its VSHAPER 3D printers have entered the UK market, and that English company AM3D will be the one distributing the VSHAPER solutions across the pond. The VSHAPER team is working hard to develop its international distribution network, and thanks to its European resellers, Poland-based VERASHAPE’s technology is already available in the Czech, Dutch, and Belgian markets, among others.

“According to analysts, the UK market is growing increasingly fast and it’s been predicted that within the next few years the UK will become one of the biggest consumers of additive technology,” said Tomasz Szymańsnki, founder and CEO of VERASHAPE. “Our presence in that market is a monumental step towards the development of our company. We are happy that AM3D wants to be a part of it.”

The VSHAPER MED 3D printer was recently unveiled at Hannover Messe 2017, and starting today, AM3D will be presenting VSHAPER 3D printing solutions, designed specifically for the medical sector, at the Dental Technology Showcase 2017 in Birmingham; visit AM3D at stand #G17.

Methods 3D and Markforged Announce Partnership at RAPID + TCT

Production grade 3D printing solutions provider Methods 3D and 3D printing company Markforged announced a joint partnership at RAPID + TCT this week. The partnership will expand both companies’ advanced additive manufacturing solutions to North American manufacturers.

“Methods 3D offers a broad additive manufacturing platform and is on the leading edge of 3D printing as well as traditional manufacturing. We are excited to partner with a company that has a proven track record of delivering excellent, innovative manufacturing solutions,” said Greg Mark, CEO of Markforged.

Methods 3D will provide service, sales, and support for the Markforged line of 3D printers, including its Mark Two and Mark X. Additionally, the joint partnership will allow Methods Machine Tools’ Automation Group to design and integrate solutions for its CNC machining automation systems, and provide the solutions to customers.

Jamie Hanson, Methods 3D COO, said, “Markforged printers are an ideal complement to our extensive suite of additive manufacturing solutions. With Markforged, we will significantly enhance our customers’ production efficiencies by enabling them to quickly create tools, jigs and fixtures for myriad industrial applications. Our deep experience in metalworking manufacturing combined with Markforged’s expertise in high strength parts is a perfect match for meeting today’s demanding manufacturing challenges.”

A few months ago, Groupe Gorgé announced plans to make an initial public offering (IPO) on 3D printer manufacturer Prodways Group, which it acquired back in 2013. This morning, Prodways Group went public on compartment B of the regulated Euronext exchange in France, joining the other 330 technology companies already listed. The company, listed on Euronext as PWG, had an offering price of €4.80 per share; the estimated open was for €3.8-4.8.

Raphaël Gorgé, Chairman and CEO of Prodways Group, said, “We are very pleased of the amazing reception dedicated to Prodways by French and international investors, and of the remarkable success of our initial public offering. Prodways is uniquely positioned as an integrated European player, and our aim is to become a world leader in industrial 3D printing.”

Market capitalization was about €232 million on the day Prodways Group was listed, based on the offering price, and so far, the IPO has been fairly successful among retail investors that committed roughly €51 million.

Sintavia Announces Plans for New Advanced Manufacturing Facility

“Factory of the Future” Will Bring High Volume 3D Metal Printing to South Florida [Image: Business Wire]

Precision metal additive manufacturing company Sintavia, the first independent manufacturer of its kind to offer an end-to-end, vertically integrated metal AM production process, has introduced plans for its new 55,000 square foot advanced manufacturing facility. The Florida plant, which should be completed by mid-2018, will expand the company’s current production capacity by four times, and will also be Sintavia’s new headquarters. It will be home to over $20 million worth of new machinery, including an inert gas farm, an automated powder handling system, large additive manufacturing equipment, an uninterruptible power supply, and an enhanced post-processing footprint. The plant will also bring over 135 new jobs to South Florida.

Brian Neff, Sintavia’s Chairman and CEO, said, “With this new facility, we are excited to continue our leadership in the development of the metal AM supply chain for OEMs in precision industries. We will use this additional space not only to grow our existing competencies in laser and electron beam melting, but also to industrialize new technologies such as metal binder jet manufacturing.”

Omegasonics Introduces Latest Ultrasonic Cleaning System

1900BT

Ultrasonic cleaning system manufacturer Omegasonics, which uses its ultrasonic technology to make 3D print post-processing quick and easy, introduced its new cleaning unit, called the 1900BTX, which features both a water agitation cleaning process and ultrasonic cavitation. Both of the processes in the new unit, which is an enhancement to the company’s 20-gallon 1900BT Ultrasonic Cleaner, operate independently of the other, in order to facilitate a gentle and thorough cleaning process.

The 1900BTX, very effective for use in cleaning 3D prototype parts, has a new magnetic drive pump system, which allows for controlled agitation so no parts are damaged during the cleaning process. The water agitation tank has a directional spray nozzle, and the ultrasonic process generates cavitation energy, creating internal pressure that dissolves the support structures of 3D printed parts.

“By using both agitation and ultrasonic cleaning methodologies, 1900BTX users get the best of both worlds. 3D prototype parts are cleaned more thoroughly and more quickly with less manpower. It’s a win-win, especially for 3D prototype part applications,” said Joe Gilbert, Vice President of Sales at Omegasonics.

Polaroid Expanding 3D Pen Brand in North America with Advanced 3D Drawing Pen

The Polaroid Design 3D pen

To expand its 3D pen lineup in both the US and Canada, Polaroid has added the new Polaroid Design 3D pen to its offerings. The pen, currently available for pre-order through Indiegogo, was created for professionals, and comes in four colors. Early bird special pen bundles start at $130, and should ship to consumers this July.

Scott W. Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid, said, “We were excited by the reactions we received at CES for the Polaroid Draw 3D pen. Giving everyday consumers the tools they need to share their creativity has always been at the center of the Polaroid brand. Because of the positive reception the Polaroid Draw 3D pen received, we decided to take a look at other segments of the market that were in need of quality 3D products at the right price point. We then recognized a need for an advanced 3D pen model geared toward design and engineering professionals. Whether they’re looking to create artwork, prototypes, jewelry or models, the Polaroid Design 3D pen will help these professionals bring their concepts to life.”

The new Polaroid Design 3D Pen features an ergonomic design, and has an internal cooling fan for jam prevention, six pre-set speed settings, and adjustable temperature settings, so users can adjust the pen’s heat for different materials.  After four minutes of inactivity, the pen’s auto shut-off feature places it into standby mode, and ejects the filament before safely entering sleep mode.

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