DESKTOP METAL SELLS AEROSINT SUBSIDIARY TO SCHAEFFLER GROUP

High-precision components and systems manufacturer Schaeffler Group has acquired Belgian recoater system developer Aerosint SA from Massachusetts-based metal 3D printer manufacturer Desktop Metal.

Founded in 2016, Aerosint’s patented Selective Powder Deposition (SDP) technology enables the simultaneous 3D printing of multiple materials, optimizing powder efficiency, cost and part throughput gains. Schaeffler Group hopes that this acquisition will enhance its market position within the additive manufacturing industry. 

Aerosint SA will be renamed to “Schaeffler Aerosint SA” as part of the deal and will be integrated into Schaeffler Group as an additional location for Schaeffler Special Machinery. 

Desktop Metal and Schaeffler Group have not disclosed the financial details of the transaction. 

“Schaeffler Aerosint SA offers the first industrial solution for simultaneous, metallic multi-material printing. This expertise, combined with our high level of industrialization competence and decades of know-how in innovative production technologies, will give us a decisive market advantage,” commented Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer at Schaeffler AG. “The acquisition is an important milestone in the industrial use of metal-based additive manufacturing processes in the area of Industry 4.0.” 

Schaeffler has also announced that it will continue its multi-material 3D printing collaboration with Desktop Metal, including in the area of toolless manufacturing technologies. 

“With Schaeffler, we have an international partner with a high level of technology expertise and a clear roadmap for commercializing the SPD technology with laser-based systems,” explained Ric Fulop, Desktop Metal’s Founder and CEO. “We will continue to collaborate on the various possibilities for using this technology in Desktop Metal binder jetting systems in the future.”