Nikon has been busy transforming one of their 3D print acquisitions, and it’s not SLM Solutions.
Most of the attention has been focused on Nikon’s work with their acquisition of metal 3D printer manufacturer SLM Solutions. Most recently we’ve seen some branding synergy between the two, but the original company is largely operating in the same manner as it did before the acquisition.
However, there’s another acquisition by Nikon that has been getting a somewhat different treatment: Morf3D.
In April 2021 Nikon acquired the majority of shares of Morf3D, a California-based 3D print service focusing on metal parts for the aerospace and defense industries. Terms were not disclosed at the time.
This was part of Nikon’s step into additive manufacturing. The combination of a 3D printer manufacturer (SLM Solutions) and a well-regarded service (Morf3D), they instantly covered most aspects of entering the metal AM business. Note that many buyers begin their journey into additive manufacturing by using services, and only later graduate to operation of their own equipment. Having a 3D print service is a key segment of the sales lifecycle.
But what has Nikon been doing with Morf3D over the past few years? A press release this week describes what has occurred, and changes the name from “Morf3D” to “Nikon AM Synergy Inc.”
While Nikon only slightly modified the name of SLM Solutions (to “Nikon SLM Solutions”), here they’ve completed changed the branding. That’s because they’ve completely turned around the operations of the company. Nikon explains:
“This transformation includes new leadership and a refreshed mission to align with Nikon’s broader goals. The reorganization involves a decisive shift from the former general-purpose contract manufacturing (CM) service bureau business, leading to the closure of the El Segundo, California location and the divestment of non-essential equipment. Now operating from Nikon’s advanced manufacturing business unit facility in Long Beach, California, Nikon AM Synergy is dedicated to accelerating the adoption and scaling of metal additive manufacturing (AM) for cutting-edge applications, with a particular focus on the defense and aerospace sectors. This will be achieved through the integration of Nikon SLM Solutions AG’s leading laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology and Nikon’s internally developed directed energy deposition (DED) solutions, enhanced by premier metallurgy and metrology capabilities.”
The single facility will be fully certified for defense security requirements, enabling its use by aerospace and military customers. This is a market that has been growing significantly in the past few years, and it seems that Nikon intends on following that growth.
Almost certainly this will inevitably result in increased sales of metal 3D printing equipment as customers using Nikon AM Synergy will learn how to best use the equipment and, if part volumes are sufficient, obtain their own gear from Nikon.
This is a very strategic move by Nikon, and shows they have a good understanding of today’s additive manufacturing space.
Via Nikon
