Nano Dimension Ltd. has signed and closed a definitive agreement to acquire Essemtec AG. Based in Switzerland, ESSEMTEC’s portfolio includes production equipment for placing and assembling electronic components on printed circuit boards (PCBs).

ESSEMTEC is also in adaptive highly flexible surface mount technology (SMT) pick-and-place equipment and dispenser for high-speed and micro-dispensing. Furthermore, it also covers intelligent production material storage and logistic system. Its products come with sophisticated software package, which makes extensive and efficient material management possible.

On the other hand, Nano Dimension is a provider of additively manufactured electronics (AME) and printed electronics. The company also leads in micro additive manufacturing (Micro AM).

Combines Technologies, Regional Presence

Since it introduced its first machine, ESSEMTEC’s equipment and software have been making impact with customers. Operators can adjust ESSEMTEC’s high-tech solution easily, thus meeting wide range of requirements. Because of this, their solutions can respond to customer needs, particularly high-mix, low-volume production.

In addition, their portfolio of products will continue to be available to the thousands of organizations that have called themselves a customer of ESSEMTEC, while also being part of the AME revolution that Nano Dimension is driving with its existing technology.

Franz-Xaver Strueby, Chief Executive Officer of ESSEMTEC said the deal with Nano Dimension would serve the PCB and wider electronic industry segments. “The combination of Nano Dimension’s strength in the Americas with ESSEMTEC’s strong presence in Europe will enhance both product lines. Additionally, I believe that the merger of the technologies will yield enormous influence and transformational momentum in the world of 3D printed electronics and assembly.”

Yoav Stern, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nano Dimension, said ESSEMTEC’s scientists and engineers and other team members have joined Nano Dimension after the transaction. “(They) are leading experts and industry veterans in machine building, software, mechanical automation, and robotics.”

Utilize Machine Learning, AI

Stern added ESSEMTEC’s present products fit Nano Dimension’s PCB and PCB assembly markets, as well as the OEM verticals. As such, the company aims to leverage the distribution channels and go-to-market efforts of both organizations.

In parallel, the deal will merge Nano Dimension’s micro-electronic 3D-fabrication machines for Hi-Performance Electronic Devices (Hi-PEDs) with ESSEMTEC’s capabilities.”

Earlier this year, Nano Dimension also acquired machine learning expert DeepCube Ltd. Stern said Nano Dimension will employ DeepCube’s deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) as “robotic brains” for ESSEMTEC systems.

“We expect this will improve yield and throughput and drive a more seamless integration with Nano Dimension’s AME systems. ESSEMTEC’s machines fit the larger picture of Nano Dimension’s vision, aiming to establish “INDUSTRY 4.0” solutions,” said Stern.

“The end goal is to reach a capability for maintaining an inventory of high-end PCB devices, micro-mechanical parts, and Hi-PEDs in digital form.”