Meta acquires 3D printed smart lens startup Luxexcel AM Industry

As initially reported by the Belgian newspaper De Tijd, and subsequently picked up by the Brussels Times and various tech and 3D printing websites, Meta (yes, that Meta) has acquired the Belgian 3D printed smart lenses startup Luxexcel. According to the Brussels Times, the story was confirmed by Meta on Wednesday, December 28th, saying in a statement that “We are delighted that the Luxexcel team has joined Meta. This extends the partnership between the two companies.” Among other things, the deal officially makes Meta a stakeholder in the additive manufacturing industry.

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Braskem acquires 3D printing filament supplier taulman3D AM Industry

Braskem, one of the largest polyolefins producers in the Americas, and a market leader and pioneer producer of biopolymers on an industrial scale, has acquired taulman3D, a leading 3D filament supplier of nylon, recycled PETG, and PET filaments to aerospace, automotive, healthcare, industrial, government, and higher education professionals worldwide. The acquisition complements Braskem’s existing portfolio of filaments (Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Carbon Fiber, Glass Fiber, and Recycled Polymers), pellets, and powders designed specifically for 3D printing applications.

ArianeGroup extends partnership with GKN Aerospace Aerospace

GKN Aerospace has signed a contract with ArianeGroup to supply the next phase of Ariane 6 turbines and Vulcain nozzles. The contract includes the manufacturing and supply of units for the next 14 Ariane 6 launchers – to be produced from now until 2025, and covers the industrialization period of breakthrough laser-welded technology and additively manufactured structures.

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Hexagon acquires digital twin creation company Loclab AM Industry

Hexagon AB, a global leader in digital reality solutions combining sensor, software, and autonomous technologies, has acquired LocLab – a company whose proprietary technology, enabled by a high degree of automation using proven workflows and artificial intelligence, allows the cost- and time-efficient creation of digital twins. This is Hexagon’s second major investment in the past month, the first of which was the recent investment of $100 million in Divergent Technologies.

L3Harris to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne AM Industry

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD) signed a definitive agreement for L3Harris to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne for $58 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $4.7 billion, inclusive of net debt. Lockheed Martin has entered an agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne in 2020 but that was blocked by the FTC, in the agency’s first litigated defense merger challenge in decades.

Lithoz sales of LCM technology systems doubled in 2022 3D Printer Hardware

Lithoz GmbH, a world market and innovation leader in ceramic 3D printing, has confirmed that 2022 has been its most successful year ever, with double the order intake compared to 2021. As the end of the year approaches, Lithoz sales results indicate that 2022 marked a significant shift in innovators using ceramic 3D printing technology to scale their ceramic additive production up to industrial levels. While serial production via LCM technology has already been successfully implemented by many innovation leaders in various fields, more and more customers from industries as important and diverse as aerospace, dental, medical and electronics are now also taking advantage of this powerful process.

MMB VOLUM-e adds EOS M400-4 laser 3D printer 3D Printer Hardware

MMB VOLUM-e recently installed a new EOS M400-4 laser metal 3D printer after receiving funding from the Ministry of the Economy as part of “MooV-e 4.0”. The funding initiative follows the call for projects “Recovery plan for the Aeronautics industry” aimed at the strengthening of the industrial sector through a massive plan to modernize production tools, support digital transformation and improve environmental performance.