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Today in 3D Printing News Briefs, business is taking the focus. At formnext last week, DyeMansion and EOS announced a strategic partnership, and DSM Somos has partnered with UnionTech for materials distribution. Proto Labs will acquire RAPID Manufacturing Group, while TechShop closes its doors due to bankruptcy. SLM Solutions receives a large order for its new SLM 800 machine at formnext, and 3D Platform hits a major 3D printer milestone.
DyeMansion and EOS Form Strategic Partnership
(L-R) Felix Ewald, CEO DyeMansion; Adrian Keppler, CEO EOS GmbH; and Philipp Kramer, CTO DyeMansion at EOS in Krailling.
At last week’s formnext trade fair in Frankfurt, EOS exhibited its plastic AM portfolio, including its new EOS P 500, while AM finishing systems leader DyeMansion showcased its three-stage Print-to-Product workflow, for depowdering, surfacing, and coloring. Also at the event, the two companies announced that they had entered into a strategic partnership, to offer their customers full polymer AM process chains. EOS will combine the complementary portfolios of both companies for high-value consumer and industrial product chains, implementing DyeMansion’s workflow equipment at its Krailling, Germany headquarters so its customers can enjoy high-end, quickly colored 3D printed products.
“We are proud that EOS has selected DyeMansion as a strategic solution partner. Together we are able to offer the ‘Print-to-Product’ workflow to the most demanding AM customers worldwide,” said Kai Witter, Director Global Sales, DyeMansion. “Since the product launch at formnext 2016, DyeMansion has delivered more than 70 systems which proves the great acceptance of their solution portfolio. Now together with EOS, we have a strong partner who will help us serving even more AM customers around the world.”
DSM Somos Works on Materials Distribution with UnionTech
Since 2003, Shanghai Union Technology Corp. (UnionTech) has had an active distribution agreement for DSM’s Somos SLA materials. However, because the company expanded into the US and European markets last year, it has now augmented its original partnership agreement with DSM Somos to include global distribution of the Somos materials. The new agreement covers all Somos materials that are available for UnionTech’s PILOT commercial series, and its RSPro production product lines. Additionally, UnionTech will also offer its in-house developed PolyDevs software to commercial 3D printing users as a more cost-effective option for PILOT data preparation.
Barry Tsou, UnionTech President, said, “We are proud to work very closely with the Somos group, combining our fully open hardware platform technology with their constant innovation in resin development. Working together on open platforms brings huge benefits in developing materials that meet the criteria of our customers needs directly.”
Proto Labs to Acquire RAPID Manufacturing Group
With the acquisition of RAPID, Proto Labs expands its manufacturing services to include low-volume sheet metal fabrication. [Image: Proto Labs]
“We listen to our customers very closely to understand their needs. We continue to look for opportunities to expand our capabilities to serve our existing customers and to expand our customer base. RAPID not only adds quick-turn and e-commerce-enabled sheet metal services to our portfolio, it also expands our machining capabilities to support larger and more complex projects,” explained Vicki Holt, CEO of Proto Labs. “In addition, RAPID's culture is highly aligned with that of Proto Labs, with a talented and experienced team that we are very excited to welcome to the Proto Labs family.”
Proto Labs will host an analyst day next month, where Holt and other Proto Labs leadership team members will present on the company’s business strategies and growth opportunities, including its RAPID acquisition. Starting at 10 AM EST on December 12th, a live webcast of the event will be available on the company’s investor relations page, with a webcast replay available shortly after the analyst day is over.
TechShop Closes US Locations, Files for Bankruptcy