Ahead of its UK debut at TCT Show later this month, Silicon Valley 3D printing startup, Carbon has announced details of a huge $81 million investment with funding from GE Ventures, BMW, Nikon and JSR to support expansion into European and Asian markets.
Carbon unveiled its CLIP (Continuous Liquid Interface Production) M1 3D printer for the first time at the Additive Manufacturing User’s Group Conference earlier this year along with a line-up of five engineering grade materials, promising rapid delivery of prints that meet the fit, form, and function of end-use parts. Today’s news brings Carbon’s funding total to $222 million with details of additional strategic investors involved in this round of financing to be announced in 2017.
“3D printing is a translation of the digital to a physical reality and when done right, offers true design freedom across every category,” Dr. Joseph M. DeSimone, CEO and Co-Founder of Carbon, explained. “At launch we set forth a bold vision to fundamentally change how the world makes ‘things.’ We have been working to deliver on that vision for the U.S. market, and are ready to step onto the global stage.”
“In today’s digital world, additive manufacturing is changing how products are designed, made and serviced at GE,” Steve Taub, Senior Director of Advanced Manufacturing, GE Ventures, commented. “Carbon’s CLIP technology can print exceptional quality parts for end-use production, opening the doors to incredible possibilities like low volume manufacturing, freedom of design, and mass customisation. We are excited to work with Carbon as part of our vision in deploying additive manufacturing applications across GE.”
Leveraging its expertise in metrology and 3D data profile, including 3D measurement and X-ray CT, Series C participants Nikon Corporation and JSR Corporation are exploring synergies making Carbon’s technology available in Japan as well as entry into other Asian markets.
“We’re excited to partner with the innovative Carbon team to explore opportunities for Japanese and Asian expansion,” Masao Nakajima, Senior Vice President of Nikon Corporation added. “In addition to bringing fundamental scientific advances to 3D printing, the company has executed relentlessly, putting its M1 machine into the hands of customers, and continuing to innovate on their machine, software, and resins. “
JSR, a producer of fine chemicals associated with the manufacture of microelectronics, will help extend Carbon’s supply chain through the exploration of new materials.
“The current 3D printing market, with the exception of very few, is a prototyping market,” said Nobu Koshiba, President of JSR Corporation. “Carbon approached the challenge, and potential, of 3D printing from a very different perspective. With its M1 and CLIP technologies, Carbon has introduced a solution that will truly revolutionise manufacturing.”
Visit Carbon at TCT Show on 28-19th September 2016 at NEC, Birmingham UK (Stand C22). Register for FREE.
