Desktop Metal (NYSE: DM) received a $7.9 million order for binder jet additive manufacturing systems from a major German carmaker for the mass production of metal automotive powertrain components at scale. Considering the BMW was (and is) among Desktop Metal’s first investors via its BMW i Ventures, that Volkswagen is actively working with HP, and that Daimler Benz (Mercedes) has done a lot of work with EOS, we guess (and we stress the word “guess”) that the major German carmaker is BMW.
“We are proud to be working with a number of major, global automotive OEMs to expand their adoption of additive manufacturing for the series production of end-use car components,” said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “This milestone order is evidence of the performance and economics that make our binder jetting solutions the most advanced in the world and a testament to our teams who have been working tirelessly to help make the vision of mass production via additive manufacturing a reality.”
Desktop Metal offers high-throughput additive manufacturing solutions for the mass production of end-use parts, with support for a comprehensive and diverse materials library with more than 250 materials across metals, composites, polymers, ceramics, biocompatible materials, sand, wood, and elastomers. The company has a rapidly growing customer base across industries such as automotive, healthcare and dental, consumer products, aerospace, and more, supported by a team of over 1,350 dedicated employees across the globe.
Manufacturing on Demand
Incidentally, BMW Group is in the news today for another major milestone (not directly related to AM), as it delivered the one-millionth electrified vehicle, with plans to double BEV sales in 2022 and about two million fully electric vehicles to be delivered to customers by 2025. The BMW Group launched two technological flagships on the market in mid-November: the BMW iX and the BMW i4. Both models have been very well received by its global clientele – as evidenced by new orders from around the world.
Over the next year, the BMW Group will expand its electrified product line to include all-electric versions of the BMW 7 Series and BMW X1. The BMW 5 Series will join the electric portfolio in 2023. The new all-electric versions of the MINI Countryman and Rolls-Royce Specter will follow. By 2023, the Group will be able to count on at least one purely electric model in approximately 90% of its current market segments. Over the next ten years or so, the BMW Group expects to put a total of around ten million fully electric vehicles on the road.
AM, especially metal binder jetting, is seen as a key technology to produce lightweight parts and components that can help extend the EV range.
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Author: Davide Sher
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