Optomec Expands into Australia and New Zealand in New Partnership with Emona Instruments

We’re about one-third of the way through 2016, and thus far, it’s been a very good year for Optomec, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based company specializing in manufacturing different professional-grade 3D printing systems that are compatible with electronic inks, a number of structural metal materials, and biological matter. Back in January, we covered Optomec’s new distribution partnership with the industrial 3D printing enabler Dragonfly, expanding the reach of their aerosol jet technology into Italy. About a month later, they made another distribution deal, this time with the additive manufacturing provider DETEKT Technologies Inc., which is now handling Optomec sales in both China and Taiwan. In 2015, we covered similar partnerships in Latin America and parts of Europe, and at the moment, Optomec shows no signs of slowing down their ever-expanding global reach.

Optomec has announced yet another distribution deal, this time with Emona Instruments Pty. Ltd, a supplier of 3D printing solutions and engineering teaching equipment in Australia and New Zealand for about 35 years. With this new partnership, Emona will help further develop Optomec’s market in the two countries, distributing both their Aerosol Jet and Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) additive manufacturing systems. Having already been used by a number of educational institutions and laboratories across Australia and New Zealand, Optomec was welcome with open arms by Emona Instruments.

“With Optomec’s established track record in Australia including users such as CSIRO’s Lab22, Swinburne University of Technology, Deakin University, UNSW, and University of Queensland, we look forward to the Emona /Optomec partnership further building on this success and reinforcing our position as the leaders in additive manufacturing in the region,” said Mark Breznik, the Managing Director at Emona Instruments.

Their patented aerosol jet technology has enabled them to create some advanced 3D printers, such as the Aerosol Jet 5X printing system, which are capable of 3D printing simple electronics, sensors and antennas onto three-dimensional objects and surfaces. Their line of electronic 3D printers are especially favored by those involved with aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, and even products dealing with the Internet of Things (IoT). Their patented process uses aerodynamic focusing to precisely print both electronic circuitry and functional components, and is capable of printing in dimensions as small as 10 microns.

Optomec’s Aerosol Jet 5X

Their LENS printing systems use high-powered laser energy to build up powdered metals layer by layer, a process which allows for the manufacturing of new parts or adding to existing metal components for both repair or a hybrid manufacturing applications. The ability to 3D print onto existing parts that were manufactured by conventional methods sets Optomec’s LENS technology ahead of the additive manufacturing pack. Their LENS technology printers are available as either a standalone system or a modular print engine, which is compatible with already established CNC automation platforms and robots.

Optomec’s LENS 850R metal 3D printer

With over 200 industrial customers around the globe, Optomec is now looking to expand their professional-grade 3D printing systems for both the Kiwis and those residing land down under. As they continue to partner with distributors on every continent, Optomec is proving that their Aerosol Jet and LENS-based manufacturing systems are here for the long-haul, and may someday soon become the undisputed global industry standard for both electronics and metal 3D printing.

Thoughts on this recent partnership? Discuss in the Distribution Agreeement Between Optomec & Emona forum over at 3DPB.com.