The 3D printer manufacturer Formlabs has announced the acquisition of the start-up Micronics from Wisconsin. Micronics recently launched its first desktop SLS 3D printer on Kickstarter. The acquisition aims to further strengthen Formlabs’ position in the field of selective laser sintering (SLS).
The Micron SLS printer from Micronics was developed to offer the strengths of SLS technology in a compact format for detailed prototypes and robust end products. Founders Henry Chan and Luke Boppart will join the Formlabs team. They have indicated that they will not continue to work on the Micron printer, but will integrate their ideas into Formlabs’ development roadmap.
Formlabs’ CEO Max Lobovsky emphasises the shared vision of both companies for accessible and high-performance 3D printing. The integration of Micronics will expand Formlabs’ SLS offering and make the technology even more accessible to designers, engineers and makers worldwide.
This acquisition follows the successful acquisition of Spectra in 2019, which expanded Formlabs’ materials capabilities and added an ISO 13485-certified facility. Micronics will now complement Formlabs’ SLS team to develop new tools and solutions for product designers and innovators.
Formlabs launched its SLS technology in January 2021 and now claims to have sold more than half of the world’s installed powder bed fusion printers. With the acquisition of Micronics, the company is aiming for further acceleration in this segment.
For Micronics’ Kickstarter backers, the acquisition has direct implications: They will receive a refund as well as a voucher for a Formlabs 3D printer.
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