Materialise’s recent acquisition of Link3D expands offerings for both companies and pushes AM toward a digital workflow for enhanced production.
Earlier this month, Belgium-based Materialise announced the closing of its Link3D acquisition. The benefits of the $33.5 million agreement may pave the way for enhanced 3D printing software across industries.
“Materialise continues to lead the way in advancing the AM industry, and this acquisition strengthens our position in the high-growth manufacturing market,” said Wilfried Vancraen, Materialise CEO. “As companies accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing into increasingly digital production environments, they require a strong and unified AM software platform.”
A player in the 3D printing industry since 1990, Materialise has been expanding its software offerings as the industry has evolved. The company’s Magics Build Processor and Control Platform provide communication between hardware and software to maximize production, while its Magics software simplifies data and file prep. The addition of Link3D’s software serves to enhance the offerings from both companies.
“In recent years, we have carefully developed our platform strategy,” said Stefaan Motte, Materialise Software vice president and general manager. “By joining forces with Link3D, we can accelerate the realization of this strategy, which will allow our customers to define and run the most optimal, efficient and sustainable production process. Not only for the production of one-offs, but in particular for scaling production in complex and distributed ecosystems.”
Colorado-based Link3D has steadily become a leader in software for AM workflow and digital manufacturing, including SaaS-based solutions focused on optimizing different components of production. The acquisition allows Materialise to better meet its platform goals and add Link3D’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to its offerings. For customers, it means better management and tracking of their 3D printing via an integrated cloud-based solution.
“By teaming up with Materialise, a global pioneer of the 3D printing industry, we expect to be able to offer our combined user base access to a robust and comprehensive manufacturing suite of solutions, enabling them to take additive manufacturing to the next level,” said Vishal Singh, Co-Founder and CTO of Link3D.
Since automating as many tasks as possible means fewer errors, as well as the ability to better capture data, the combination of software will make it easier to mass produce parts. Whether custom or the same, it will provide the tools to connect operations even outside of 3D printing, such as with conventional production methods.
As the two companies navigate the acquisition transition, Materialise intends for Link3D to be a subsidiary run by the existing management. To incorporate Link3D’s software, Materialise still has some work to do on its product line, but the company expects to launch the combined cloud-based products and tools in early 2022.
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