3DEO secures strategic investment from EPSON and DBJ | Voxel Matters

Los Angeles-based 3DEO is a leader in design, engineering, and metal additive manufacturing with proprietary high-throughput technologies and has received significant investment from Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and EPSON (Seiko Epson Corporation). I did. This partnership marks a pivotal step in 3DEO’s expansion and underscores the company’s confidence in its unique end-to-end 3D printing technology.

In recent years, another Japanese giant, Nikon, has invested significantly in AM, starting with California-based metal AM service provider Morf3D and ending with the acquisition of metal PBF hardware company SLM Solutions. I went. This investment from DBJ and EPSON will advance his 3DEO growth strategy in North America and Japan, expanding partnership opportunities in the semiconductor, aerospace, medical devices and equipment, and industrial sectors.

“Our collaboration with DBJ and EPSON is a powerful validation of our mission to empower product and engineering teams around the world,” said Matthew Petros, CEO and co-founder of 3DEO. “This investment is more than just capital. It is a commitment to a shared vision of challenging the possible through a combination of additive design principles and differentiated capabilities.”

3DEO’s unique approach focuses on specializing in complex metal 3D printed components/assemblies and advanced Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). As detailed in VoxelMatter’s latest Metal AM Market Report, the process developed by 3DEO provides high-throughput production using a specific version of binder-based technology. Although the company does not currently sell machines, it uses its machines in-house to provide parts production services. The 3DEO intelligent layering process can compete with traditional manufacturing in terms of costs, especially in serial production of small metal parts (up to tens of thousands of pieces). This involves applying a layer of 10 micron metal powder particles at a thickness ranging from 50 to 500 microns.

The entire layer is then sprayed with binder and up to eight precision cutters are used to define the perimeter of each part of the layer. This process is faster than selective bonding by an inkjet printhead and is repeated. Additionally, this technology has the advantage of eliminating layer lines and facilitating a high degree of automation of build trays and component removal. This allows the Los Angeles-based company to produce more component units than any other company in the metal AM world.

The technology developed by 3DEO is supported by a differentiated portfolio of 18 patents, enabling customers to innovate and design competitive products. A complete end-to-end solution including proprietary software, metal 3D printers, robotics, and materials streamlines your production process. This integration significantly reduces complexity for clients and is supported by 3DEO’s comprehensive DfAM training and expertise, allowing them to scale up without the burden of mastering the AM process itself.

In Japan, there is a strong belief in traditional metal processing based on precision casting, which has supported the growth of the machining and assembly industry and the optimization of the supply chain in terms of quality and cost. However, although there is movement in research and development of AM technology and DfAM, the rate of adoption at production sites faces a major barrier. This partnership is poised to address these challenges and will contribute to the advancement of his AM technology in Japan’s established manufacturing industry.

The strategic investment by DBJ and EPSON is in line with DBJ’s mission to promote “technological innovation and industry restructuring” and Epson’s mission to promote “manufacturing innovation” under its new management vision “Epson 25.” The investment, made through the DBJ Startups and Innovation Fund, will strengthen his 3DEO’s expansion in North America and Japan, sparking a new era of global innovation and production efficiency.

Payman Torabi, CTO and co-founder of 3DEO, said: “By integrating 3DEO’s AM capabilities with Japan’s meticulous engineering heritage, we aim to unlock new levels of productivity and expand manufacturing possibilities in one of the world’s leading economies. “This investment is a testament to the confidence and potential we see in 3DEO’s innovative approach. Together with DBJ and Epson, we will leverage their expertise and market reach to strengthen and refine the additive manufacturing landscape.” I’m excited to do it.”

DBJ and EPSON’s investment, secured after careful review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), will enable 3DEO to leverage the strengths of Japan’s manufacturing industry while promoting technological advancement in both regions. . DBJ will provide hands-on support to 3DEO, and will work closely with Epson and other stakeholders to actively support 3DEO in building its business and increasing its corporate value. DBJ also aims to contribute to the social implementation of DfAM in Japan by collaborating with related parties such as the national government, local governments, and related private companies, and contributing to the innovation and reorganization of the manufacturing industry.

“We look forward to seeing how this synergy will support our continued mission to provide unparalleled design freedom and manufacturing capabilities to our customers,” Petros added.

3DEO’s business model and full-stack solutions position 3DEO as an industry pioneer, reducing development costs and time for partners. With this strategic investment, 3DEO is poised to further disrupt traditional and advanced manufacturing processes and bring innovative products to market faster and more efficiently than ever before.