Desktop Metal, Inc. and Schaeffler AG have agreed to collaborate on additive manufacturing. of multi-material powders, including metal and ceramics.

Accordingly, Schaeffler has acquired Desktop Metal’s Belgium-based Aerosint and will integrate its multi-material Selective Powder Deposition technology. Particularly, for use with Schaeffler’s laser-based multi-material AM system

“Schaeffler is one of the leading global manufacturers of components and systems as well as bearing solutions. The motion technology company has a longstanding excellence in precision mechanical engineering and an innovative mindset. (Moreover), open to integrate new production processes like metal multi-material printing,” said Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal.

In addition, Fulop said, “Aerosint’s Selective Powder Deposition (SPD) technology has demonstrated spectacular potential for laser applications, and we both agree that Schaeffler has a nearer-term roadmap for commercializing it. We will retain an option to commercialize the technology with our systems in the future, and we look forward to developing this roadmap together.”

Additive Manufacturing Milestone in Industry 4.0 Era

The startup will be renamed Schaeffler Aerosint SA. Furthermore, it will be integrated into the Schaeffler Group as an additional location for Schaeffler Special Machinery, the Schaeffler Group’s special machine construction unit.

Meanwhile, Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer at Schaeffler AG, commented on the deal. “The expertise of Schaeffler Aerosint, combined with our high level of industrialization competence…will give us a distinctive market advantage.”

In addition, Schick said, “Schaeffler Aerosint SA offers the first industrial solution for simultaneous, metallic multi-material printing…The acquisition is an important milestone in the industrial use of metal-based additive manufacturing processes in the area of Industry 4.0.”

In addition, Schaeffler will continue its collaboration with Desktop Metal in multi-material solutions, including in the area of toolless manufacturing technologies. “By integrating this key future technology, Schaeffler Special Machinery, as a partner for production excellence, will be able to offer its customers a more diversified portfolio of systems, particularly for the manufacturing and medical technology sectors,” said Bernd Wollenick, Senior Vice President Schaeffler Special Machinery.

The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. Thus, with innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions, Industry 4.0, digitalization, and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. The motion technology company manufactures high-precision components and systems for drive train and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications.