3D Systems kauft britisches 3D-Drucker Startup botObjects

3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) gab heute in einer Pressemitteilung bekannt, dass es das Londoner Startup botObjects gekauft hat. Mit diesem Zukauf will 3D Systems das Consumer sowie Prosumer Portfolio stärken.

Anfangs gab es an den 3D-Drucker von botObjects einige Zweifel. Ebenfalls kam es zu Verzögerungen bei der Produktion und Produktauslieferung des ProDesk3D.

3D Systems kaufte nun das Startup zu einem unbekannten Preis und will die Technik von botObjets in dem neuen “CubePro® C” Full Color 3D-Drucker verwenden, welcher noch in diesem Jahr erscheinen soll. Der neue Drucker soll auch schon bei der diesjährigen CES präsentiert werden. Der CubePro C soll 4990 Dollar kosten. Die Eigenschaften des Druckers werden ähnlich wie bei dem bisher von botObjects angebotenen ProDesk3D sein. So soll die Druckauflösung 0,025 Millimeter sein und die Druckgeschwindigkeit 175mm/s. In der Pressemitteilung wurde auch erklärt, dass die schon bestellten ProDesk3D noch ausgeliefert werden.

Martin Warner, Mitgründer und Geschäftsführer von botObjects, wird nun Vice President und General Manager von botObjects for 3DS. Mike Duma, ein Mitbegründer und CTO des Startups, wird ebenfalls bei 3D Systems bleiben.

Die Pressemitteilung:

3D Systems Acquires 3D Printer Maker botObjects and Introduces CubePro® C Full-Color 3D Printer

ROCK HILL, South Carolina, January 5, 2015 – 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today that it acquired U.K. based 3D printer maker botObjects and plans to launch the CubePro® C, a new desktop full-color 3D printer powered by botObjects’ technology. The company did not disclose the terms of the transaction, but expects it to be accretive to its 2015 results. The company invites International CES 2015 attendees to experience its revolutionary CubePro C for the first time this week at the 3DS booth, located at the Sands Expo, booth 72225.

botObjects pioneered the first 3D desktop printer using PlasticJet Printing (PJP) that offers true full-color 3D printing, significantly expanding the palette of possibilities for what designers, artists and engineers create, from prototypes to products. botObjects also invented a proprietary 5-color CMYKW cartridge system, capable of mixing primary printing colors on the fly to generate vibrant color combinations and gradient transitions.

The botObjects ProDesk3D will immediately be folded into 3DS’s new CubePro C printer family and deliver a true full-color experience at the affordable price of $4,990, with greater accuracy and speed than any comparable desktop 3D printer on the market today. The new CubePro C is capable of printing down to 25-microns layers at deposition speeds of up to 175 millimeters per second using durable PLA and ABS print materials with PVA support material.

“Joining the winning team at 3DS couldn’t have come at a better time as orders for our revolutionary full-color desktop printer continue to outstrip our resources,” said Martin Warner, co-founder and CEO, botObjects. “Together we can bring this powerful technology to more users faster.”

“We are thrilled to add groundbreaking full-color with ultra thin-layer and high-speed technology from botObjects to our expanding consumer and prosumer 3D printing portfolio,” said Avi Reichental, President and CEO, 3DS. “We are even more excited to team up with botObjects founders, Martin Warner and Mike Duma, and together democratize the availability of this powerful 3D printer and accelerate its adoption globally.”

Under the capable and experienced leadership of Martin Warner, who was named Vice President, General Manager botObjects for 3DS, the company plans to fulfill all of its current backorders for the recently introduced ProDesk3D as it concurrently transitions to the new CubePro C line and substantially expands its desktop reach globally. Until the company expands its manufacturing capacity, the CubePro C will be available in a limited release, with plans to expand distribution later in 2015. The CubePro C line joins 3DS’ desktop portfolio that includes the CubePro and Cube line of 3D printers and Sense 3D scanning products, which are ideal for a variety of professional desktops from engineers to designers and architects, as well as users at home and students at school.