3D SYSTEMS EXPANDS PORTFOLIO OF SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING PLATFORMS

Wematter designed and introduced the Wematter Gravity in 2019 which brought an affordable, turnkey SLS solution to the market. The closed-loop system is designed to operate in a smaller-footprint environment outside of a manufacturing floor, such as an office. Since that time, Wematter has expanded to three models — Gravity Essential, Gravity Essential+, and Gravity Enterprise — to facilitate the adoption of SLS for a wider range of user environments. As a result of this acquisition, 3D Systems will be able to make SLS available to a broader range of customers with a high-reliability, affordable solution for the production of end-use parts.

The Wematter Gravity was designed to make additive manufacturing accessible in smaller environments. The small footprint (0.7 m x 0.7 m x 1.5 m) requires 3X less space, yet has a build volume that is more than 300% larger (300mm x 300mm x 300mm) than comparable solutions, and can complete an entire job in 24 hours or less. The Gravity is CE-certified for use in offices, hospitals, and research laboratories to manufacture production parts for a breadth of applications including automotive, consumer goods, and medical devices and equipment.

The Gravity only requires a standard power source and an ethernet connection which enables plug-and-play installation and can be operational in less than an hour from delivery. This is facilitated by the simple interface which guides the user through the set-up and print process. The Wematter Gravity includes a portfolio of 20 materials to address a breadth of applications. The unique powder handling system maintains a closed loop, ensuring there is no loose powder.

Additionally, the system facilitates the recycling of unused powder for multiple cycles which enables manufacturers to fully use the material and eliminate waste. Because the Gravity is connected to the Cloud, users can start and monitor print jobs remotely which helps increase productivity and lowers the demand for resources. The cloud-based connection also facilitates proactive and preventative maintenance to maximize uptime and productivity.

3D Systems expects this transaction to close in July of 2023.