Wed, 09/03/2014 - 00:00

ROCK HILL, S.C. (Sept. 3, 2014) – 3D Systems (3DS) announced that it has acquired Belgium-based LayerWise, a provider of advanced direct metal 3-D printing and manufacturing services. LayerWise delivers quick-turn, 3-D-printed metal parts—manufactured on its own proprietary line of direct metal 3-D printers—for aerospace, high-precision equipment and medical and dental customers. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to 3DS' cash generation. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "We are delighted to integrate our proprietary direct metal technology and processes into 3D Systems' leading portfolio of products and services," said Jonas Van Vaerenbergh, one of LayerWise's founders. "With its culture of continuous innovation dating back to its founder Chuck Hull, the inventor of the first 3-D printing technology, and its commitment to advancing direct metal 3-D technology and medical device services, 3DS is the perfect fit for our company and strengthens our combined growth potential." Since 2008, LayerWise has designed and built its own direct metal 3-D printers. Its proprietary powder-to-solid metal printers can produce functional metal parts at convincing production scale. LayerWise's direct metal printers deliver relative part density of up to 99.98 percent and match conventional metals’ mechanical properties at substantial unit weight reduction. LayerWise manufacturing services are used by medical device, transportation and precision equipment customers for whom weight-reduction, strength and accuracy are paramount. "The addition of LayerWise … automated manufacturing processes at convincing scale and leading medical devices services extends our first mover advantage in these high-growth areas substantially, to the immediate benefit of our aerospace, automotive and medical device customers," said Avi Reichental, president and CEO of 3DS. LayerWise will operate under the continued leadership of co-founders Jonas Van Vaerenbergh and Peter Mercelis and immediately pursue new projects in its high-end target markets. 3D Systems provides advanced and comprehensive 3-D design-to-manufacturing solutions, including 3-D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. LayerWise specializes in 3-D printing of high-quality metal parts in serial production.