Desktop Metal is acquiring industry peer The ExOne Company (ExOne). The company thereby strengthens its position in the additive manufacturing market. Desktop Metal states that the two parties' technologies complement each other. With the combination, the company aims to accelerate the embrace of additive manufacturing 2.0. The US company is paying $575 million for ExOne, partly in cash and partly in shares.
Who is Desktop Metal?
Desktop Metal is a company that provides additive manufacturing systems to customers. The company mainly focuses on printing in metals. For example, Desktop Metal supplies the Studio System 2, Shop System and Production System. These are specifically metal binder jetting systems. This is a form of powder-based 3D printing. The powder lies on a print bed, on which a print head applies a binder material at selective spots. This material cures the powder, creating the printed object layer by layer.
For example, Desktop metal supplies the Studio System 2. This 3D printer is aimed at office applications. The system can be used for quick printing of prototypes. However, think also of unique and customised customer parts.
Another product is the Shop System, aimed at larger production volumes. Using this system, companies can produce metal parts in small batches for customers. The Shop System is available in several variants with build volumes ranging from 4 to 16L. Also available is the Live Sinter feature, which prevents shrinkage and deformation of printed components, among other things. Support structures required during the printing process are removable by hand, without the use of tools.
The Production System is available for customers who want more capacity. This system is aimed at mass production and intended for use in production facilities. It allows a native resolution of 1200×1200 dpi and layer heights of up to 50 µm.
Who is ExOne?
Like Desktop Metal, ExOne focuses on binder jet printers. However, besides printing in metal, the company also focuses on printing in sand. In the metal field, the company supplies five printers, each with its own build volume:
- X1 160Pro suitable for objects up to 800 x 500 x 400 mm. With maximum layer height of 30 to 200 μm and build speed up to more than 10,000 cc per hour
- X1 25Pro for components up to 400 x 250 x 250 mm. With maximum layer height of 30-200 μm and maximum build speed of 3,600 cc per hour
- InnoventPro 3L with a build volume of 3 to 5 litres. With a maximum layer height of 30 to 200 μm and a maximum build speed of 700+ cc per hour
- Innovent+ suitable for objects up to 160 x 65 x 65 mm. With a maximum layer height of 30 to 200 μm and a maximum build speed of 166 cc per hour
- M-Flex for components up to 400 x 250 x 250 mm. With a maximum layer height of 50 to 200 μm and a maximum build speed of 1,600 cc per hour
For printing in sand, ExOne supplies:
- S-Max Pro for objects up to 1,800 x 1,000 x 7000 mm. With a speed of up to 125 litres per hour and layer heights of 0.26 to 0.38 mm.
- S-Print for prints up to 800 x 500 x 400 mm. With a production rate of 39 litres per hour and a layer height of 0.26 to 0.38 mm.
- S-Max for objects up to 1,800 x 1,000 x 700 mm. With a maximum print speed of up to 100 litres per hour and layer heights of 0.26 to 0.38 mm.
Complementary products
The acquisition of ExOne gives Desktop Metal complementary products. With this, the company aims to create a comprehensive portfolio that combines capacity, flexibility and material selection. This enables customers to optimise their production. This based on the specific needs of the application they have in mind. With this, Desktop Metal aims to better meet the growing demand from companies for solutions that meet all their requirements in terms of speed, cost, resolution and dimensions of the final product.
The acquisition allows Desktop Metal to combine ExOne's direct sales channel with its own channel sales. This gives the company a network of 200 channel partners. With this combination, Desktop Metal aims to make its manufacturing more broadly accessible to companies of all sizes. At the same time, the company wants to innovate in the field of materials to give customers more choice and discover new applications.
Offering customers more choice
"We are excited to bring ExOne into the DM family to create a leading portfolio in additive manufacturing for mass production," explained Ric Fulop, founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. "This acquisition gives our customers more choice by leveraging our complementary technologies and and go-to-market initiatives to drive continuous growth. This transaction is a major step in delivering on our vision for accelerating the embrace of additive manufacturing 2.0."
"We are excited to join forces with Desktop Metal to deliver a more sustainable future through our shared vision of high volume additive manufacturing," said John Hartner, CEO of ExOne. "We believe our complementary platforms will better serve customers, accelerate the embrace of green technologies and increase shareholder value. Most importantly, our technologies help drive key innovations at meaningful production volumes that can improve the world."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
