Optomec not only offers new dimensions in 3D printing to their customers, but soon they will be doing so overseas, due to a new agreement just signed with Ceradrop, which will ensure distribution of Optomec 3D printers throughout Europe.
The agreement benefits both companies as New Mexico’s Optomec manufactures 3D printers that support metals, electronics and more, and are able to operate on a large scale. Optomec’s Aerosol Jet families of 3D printers are unique in that they enable 3D printing en masse with micro electronics and the printing of circuitry on other surfaces. Using a mist generator to ‘atomize’ materials, particles are treated for the highest efficiency. Aerosol Jet printed electronic systems can use substrate materials with very low temperature tolerances, producing high-quality thin film with superior definition. It is available as a turnkey or modular configuration for applications that require mass production.
Their LENS 3D printers operate with powdered metal to produce extremely strong 3D printed items. Also available as a turnkey or modular solution, The LENS process is unique in that it is encased in a chamber ‘purged with argon so that the oxygen and moisture levels stay below 10 parts per million.’
While Optomec’s printers do what inkjet printers cannot, Ceradrop a subsidiary of the MGI Group, specializes in producing and selling Material Deposition Inkjet Printers for advanced printed electronics systems. From materials to printed components, Ceradrop provides their customer base with a comprehensive inkjet printer solution. With the addition of Optomec’s line of 3D printers, they will be able to supply their customers with even more solutions, as well as giving Optomec European additional exposure.
“Ceradrop has both leading-edge technology and global expertise in printed electronics and smart 3D printing, which make it an ideal partner for Optomec,” said Mike Kardos, Director of International Sales at Optomec. “We are looking forward to working with Ceradrop to expand our European marketing network for Aerosol Jet.”
Ceradrop is a subsidiary of the MGI Group, which comprises MGI Digital Graphic Technology in France, Ceradrop, and KÖRA-PACKMAT in Germany. Within the products they supply to the printed electronics industry and 3D Printing, Ceradrop develops products to work in making items such as:
- Flexible solar cells (OPV)
- OLED Displays
- Smart Cards
- Antennas
- Smart Systems
- Passive Components
“The market for printed electronics and smart 3D printing is expected to explode over the next five years, according to market research analysts, and we are well positioned to be part of that growth,” said Rémi Noguéra, Executive General Manager at Ceradrop. “With the addition of Optomec’s Aerosol Jet systems, we add in our product portfolio new printed electronics capabilities which are complementary to inkjet technology like high viscous pastes jetting, high-resolution printing, materials deposition on 3D components, and, more importantly we create a close partnership with Optomec to enable new additive technologies.”
The two companies in a partnership together should deliver a real one-two powerpunch of products and quality to their customer bases, both existing and future, as Optomec has such obvious potential for growth in the European market due to both their Aerosol Jet, and LENS 3D printers. Their products are already used by 175 customers internationally in the fields of electronics, science, and aerospace. Because their inimitable product base has the winning combination of improving quality while cutting down on the bottom line, Optomec products are becoming more and more widely popular for 3D printing in electronics and metal.
