Stratasys Ltd., a manufacturer of industrial 3D printers, and Desktop Metal Inc. entered into a definitive agreement whereby the companies will combine in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.8 billion. The transaction unites the polymer strengths of Stratasys with the complementary industrial mass-production leadership of Desktop Metal’s brands, creating an additive-manufacturing company that is expected to be well-positioned to serve the evolving needs of customers in manufacturing.

Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM) purchased a metal 3D printer from Velo3D, a metal additive-manufacturing technology company based in Campbell, Calif. The Sapphire XC is calibrated to print in a nickel-based superalloy that delivers oxidation and corrosion resistance at high temperatures. The alloy is commonly used in aviation, space, defense and energy applications, all of which are key industries for KAM. The company purchased the metal 3D printer to expand its capabilities and to print much larger parts for its customers. The Sapphire XC can print parts up to 23.5 inches (600 mm) in diameter x 21.5 inches (550 mm) high.

Visser Precision, a Denver-based contract manufacturer serving industries including aerospace, purchased and received two metal 3D printers from Velo3D to expand its 3D-printing capabilities. One of the printers delivered is the first Sapphire printer calibrated for Haynes 214, a nickel-based superalloy that is now available as a powder option. The other Sapphire printer is calibrated for Inconel 718, which is commonly used in many aerospace and industrial applications for its high strength and corrosion resistance. Visser Precision purchased the metal 3D printers after a mutual aerospace customer sought to leverage Velo3D’s additive-manufacturing technology for components in its rocket engines.

Keeping the electricity grid up and running through summer heat waves and winter deep freezes is an ongoing balancing act. Power lines that stretch for miles are vulnerable to wind and fire. 

MELD Manufacturing Corp. spun off a new business, MELD PrintWorks Corp., which will utilize MELD’s patented 3D-printing technology as an additive service addressing the needs of multiple industries that struggle to get forgings, castings and other metal parts. MELD Manufacturing will continue its focus on delivery of technology through machines, training and certification. MELD PrintWorks will have a singular focus on serving customer demand for printed parts made with MELD technology. The new company, which is an independent organization with separate management and operating teams, launched in a Virginia facility separate from MELD Manufacturing’s current factory.

Fabrisonic LLC, a manufacturer specializing in 3D metal ultrasonic additive manufacturing and 3D-printing applications, moved to a 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Lewis Center, Ohio. Fabrisonic has been incubated by EWI at its facility in Columbus on the campus of The Ohio State University since 2011. Business growth has driven the need for additional space to expand and make room for more employees, machines and expanded parts production. Fabrisonic also upgraded its entire IT infrastructure to a higher-security platform that meets government-sensitive data requirements.

Lockheed Martin Corp. and Sintavia LLC announced a collaboration to expand research of metal additive manufacturing (AM) opportunities as an alternative to castings and forgings. According to the companies, AM, also known as 3D printing, has the capability to improve efficiencies in existing castings and forgings supply chains and provide parts with a higher level of detail and greater design opportunities. Sintavia is an AM supplier to Lockheed Martin, supporting several programs in the manufacture and production of metal additive parts. The collaboration will explore additional AM technology areas, including laser powder-bed fusion, electron-beam-directed energy deposition and friction-stir AM.

There was a big announcement out of West Virginia in September that you may have missed. It was particularly big news for the aerospace industry.

Velo3D Inc., a provider of metal additive-manufacturing (AM) technology, delivered a 3D printer to Knust-Godwin, a precision contract manufacturer. The acquisition of a laser powder-bed fusion printer further expands Knust-Godwin’s AM offering by unlocking high-volume production and lower costs for its largest customers. The Sapphire XC will be installed in the company’s Katy, Texas facility, and is calibrated for Inconel 718. It is capable of producing prints that are 600 mm (23.5 inches) in diameter and 550 mm (21.5 inches) high, and it uses eight 1-kilowatt lasers to produce parts.

Airbus, Safran and Tikehau Ace Capital signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Eramet for the acquisition of its subsidiary Aubert & Duval. The three partners intend to acquire 100% of Aubert & Duval through a new joint holding company in which they would have equal ownership rights. Aubert & Duval is a supplier of critical parts and materials for the aerospace, defense and nuclear industries with a workforce of around 3,600 employees based mostly in France. The company supplies metal powders for additive manufacturing. Its Pearl Micro metal powders are used in electron-beam powder-bed fusion, directed energy deposition and metal binder jetting.