3D printing news roundup: Zortrax announces $1.9M profit, Autodesk's big plans for the Future, Stratasys introduces kit for 3D printing fixtures

Sep 14, 2016 | By Tess

While we are sad that summer’s long and warm days are coming to an end, we can’t mask our excitement that a new season is around the corner and with it are coming a number of exciting developments and announcements in the world of 3D printing! That’s why, in addition to our regular coverage of all things 3D printed, we’ve got a roundup to keep you up-to-date on the latest recorded profits, company appointments, sales, and releases. Check them out:

1. Zortrax announces record profits of over $1.9 million for first half of 2016

Polish 3D printer manufacturer Zortrax recently published its financial results for the first half of 2016, which show just how productive and successful the company has been over the past year. In fact, as the financial report shows, Zortrax brought in a whopping $6.7 million turnover (more than $1.9 million more than their 2015 first-half year results).

The increase can be attributed in part to the company’s well regarded M200 3D printer, whose sales increased by 40% since the second half of 2015. The company also marked an increase in its sales of 3D printing materials, notably in the United States, where the sales increased by 116% compared to the same period in 2015. According to the 3D printer manufacturer, it has its sights set on the American market in a more significant way, as it plans to increase the company’s market share there.

Overall, the company’s net profits have gone up by 114% annually for a total of roughly $2 million—an increase which has allowed Zortrax to bring its research and development department from China, where it was previously operating, to Poland. This has also helped the company to secure more funding for the development of future projects (such as the upcoming launch of the M300 3D printer) and acquisitions.

2. GE announces David Joyce as Vice Chair

Last week, American multinational GE announced that it will be investing $1.4 billion for the acquisition of two major suppliers of additive manufacturing equipment: Arcam AB and SLM Solutions Group AG. In the wake of the big announcement, GE’s Board of Directors has also recently named David Joyce as vice chair leading GE Aviation and additive manufacturing. In the new position, Joyce will oversee Arcam and SLM Solutions and help GE to develop and grow its 3D printing business, which includes additive manufacturing equipment, materials, and services.

Joyce, who in 2008 was named as President and CEO of GE Aviation, has significant leading experience and has nearly 3 decades of experience working for GE, gradually working his way up. As GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt says of the new vice chair: “Under David’s leadership, GE Aviation has experienced a period of unprecedented growth and expansion. The business’ revenues grew from $19 to $25 billion and the installed base climbed to 62,000 engines in his eight years at the helm.”

In addition to his position at GE, David Joyce serves on a number of boards, including that of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Aerospace Industries Association.

With the new investment, acquisitions, and vice chair appointment, GE is expecting to see a significant growth in its additive manufacturing business, even up to $1 billion by 2020.

3. Nano Dimension makes first U.S. delivery of DragonFly 2020 PCB 3D printer

Nano Dimension Ltd., one of the world’s leading forces for developing 3D printed electronics, has just announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Nano Dimension Technologies Ltd. has successfully made its very first delivery of the DragonFly 2020, the world’s first PCB 3D printer, to the United States. The 3D printer was delivered to FATHOM, a beta and go-to-market partner that specializes in 3D printing, and will be installed at their Oakland, California headquarters. There, it will be used primarily for evaluations and demonstrations, as Nano Dimension and FATHOM are collaborating in order to introduce the DragonFly 2020 3D printer to the U.S. market, with a special focus on Silicon Valley and the greater West Coast area, where FATHOM serves.

The announcement comes just weeks after Nano Dimension announced the first sale of its PCB 3D printer to an Israeli defense company. Financial results for the recent U.S. sale will be reflected in Nano Dimension’s Q4 2016 and will continue into 2017.

4. Stratasys launches Manufacturing Aids Package for 3D printing custom jigs and fixtures

3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys has just launched its newest product: the Manufacturing Aids Package for the Fortus 900mc Production 3D printer. The new package is meant to guide users of the 3D printer and help them to create custom tools, such as jigs and fixtures, out of versatile and lightweight thermoplastics.

The Manufacturing Aids Package contains a number of things, including 40 hours of design work from Stratasys Professional Services, six canisters of thermoplastic build material (these include Nylon 6, PC, and ASA plastic) and three canisters of Stratasys’ SR-35 advanced soluble support material. The latter is Stratasys’ newest support material, which provides makers with a fast dissolve time and extended bath life. In addition to the materials, the Aids Package includes extra extrusion head tips and build sheets. Buyers of the new custom tool building kit will also have the option of extending their factory warranty for the Fortus 900mc Production 3D printer by two years.

Stratasys Sr. Director, Product Management and Marketing, Sanja Wallace said of the new product: “The ability to design a manufacturing aid specifically for a given task and produce it on demand is a huge benefit. And producing these tools from lightweight thermoplastics instead of metal makes them much easier to use and more cost-effective to produce.”

According to Stratasys, the Manufacturing Aids Package will be ready to ship as of mid November 2016. The 3D printing company will be exhibiting the kit along with the Fortus 900mc 3D printer at the IMTS Show in Chicago from September 12th-17th at booth N-60.

5. Autodesk unveils Portfolio for the Future of Manufacturing

Autodesk, one of the leading 3D design software companies, recently introduced its portfolio of solutions for additive and subtractive manufacturing. The portfolio, which brings together a number of Autodesk’s most popular products as well as products offered by companies such as Delcam, Netfabb, Pan Computing, and Magestic Systems, offers its users a comprehensive and extensive set of hybrid manufacturing solutions. Among the products included in the portfolio are HSMWorks, Inventor HSM, Fusion 360, FeatureCAM, PowerMill, PartMaker, PowerShape, PowerInspect, and Netfabb.

Ultimately, Autodesk’s extensive portfolio is meant to help manufacturers and makers get the most of additive manufacturing technologies by showing how to create higher quality products while reducing costs and time. “This new set of solutions goes big on the ‘make’ component—equipping manufacturers with all the software they need to go from digital design to real-world product,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president of products at Autodesk.

The portfolio, which offers cloud-capabilities, is currently being showcased at IMTS at Autodesk’s booth #E-3222.

6. Prodways partners with CAD House to expand into South Africa

French 3D printing company Prodways, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, has just entered into partnership with South African 3D printing solutions company CAD House. Through the partnership, CAD House will bring a number of Prodways 3D printing products into the South African market, itself primed to become a notable player in the 3D printing industry. According to a joint press release, these products will include Prodways’ exclusive MOVINGLight technology, as well as its latest range of laser sintering machines.

CAD House, for its part, has become an established supplier of 3D printing products within South Africa since its founding in 2010. The company, founded by Bernhard Vogt, offers the South African market a wide range of 3D printer models, as well as related products such as 3D scanning technologies, and 3D design, inspection, and reverse engineering applications. Additionally, the company’s Center for Advanced Rapid Production, is capable of manufacturing complex parts on-demand with its laser sintering technologies.

The recent partnership signifies Prodways’ continued expansion and growth across the globe.

7. Evonik begins construction of polyamide 12 powder production plant

Multinational specialty chemical manufacturer Evonik Industries held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 13th to celebrate the building of a new production plant for specialty polyamide 12 (PA12) powders, used for 3D printing. The plant, which will be located in Marl, Germany, is expected to open by the end of 2017.

The specialty PA12 powders that will be produced at the plant, known under the brand name VESTOSINT, are expected to increase Evonik’s annual capacity for the product by 50%. VESTOSINT, which is marketed primarily for use in the coatings industry (for instance, coating metals in household appliances, as well as in the automotive and medical industries), also has growing applications within the 3D printing industry. That is, Evonik has been developing polymer powders for use in industrial additive manufacturing. According to the company, VESTOSINT’s properties and processing behaviors are optimal for 3D printing.

The investment that is going into building the new plant in Marl is reportedly in the mid-double-digit million euro range, though no specific amount has been signified.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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