Stratasys Ltd., a leader in polymer 3D printing solutions, has announced that it has acquired the technology portfolio of Arevo, Inc., a company that specialized in carbon fiber printing and AI-based build monitoring. Stratasys said that the acquisition will enable it to improve the performance and reliability of its FDM printing applications, and to expand its addressable manufacturing markets.
Arevo, Inc. was a Silicon Valley-based company that developed a novel 3D printing technology that combined carbon fiber reinforcement, laser melting, and roller compaction to create strong and lightweight parts. The company also used artificial intelligence and in-situ sensors to monitor and optimize the printing process.
Arevo’s technology and patents were based on multiple foundational inventions, such as:
- A method of printing carbon fiber composites with improved Z-strength by applying localized laser melting and roller compaction to the printed layers.
- A system and method of using AI and machine learning to analyze the data from the in-situ sensors and adjust the printing parameters accordingly.
- A hardware design that enabled the printing of large-scale and complex parts with minimal support structures and material waste.
Arevo ceased operations in 2023, and Stratasys acquired its technology portfolio, including its intellectual property (IP) estate, in March 2024.
Stratasys’ strategy and vision
Stratasys Ltd. is a global leader in polymer 3D printing solutions, with a portfolio of products and services that cater to various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, and healthcare. Stratasys offers a range of 3D printing technologies, such as FDM, PolyJet, and SAF, as well as materials, software, and parts on demand.
Stratasys’ strategy and vision are to create practical value for its customers by investing in innovation, both organically and inorganically. The company has a total of 2,600 granted and pending patents, which differentiate it from the rest of the industry. The acquisition of Arevo’s technology portfolio is an example of Stratasys’ inorganic innovation, which aims to enhance its existing capabilities and to enter new markets.
According to Rich Garrity, Stratasys’ Chief Industrial Business Officer, the technology acquired from Arevo will allow Stratasys to improve the isotropy of physical properties in FDM parts, which will open up additional use cases for customers. He also said that the investment reflects Stratasys’ commitment to focusing its innovation on applications and use cases that provide real value to its manufacturing customers, and to ensuring that Stratasys will continue to be the most relevant and attractive partner moving forward.
The impact and benefits of the acquisition
The acquisition of Arevo’s technology portfolio will have a positive impact and benefits for Stratasys and its customers, such as:
- It will enable Stratasys to enhance the performance and reliability of its FDM printing applications, by improving the strength, durability, and consistency of the printed parts.
- It will enable Stratasys to expand its addressable manufacturing markets, by offering solutions for applications that require higher performing parts, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial.
- It will enable Stratasys to leverage the AI and in-situ monitoring capabilities of Arevo’s technology, to optimize the printing process and to reduce the errors and failures.
- It will enable Stratasys to offer more innovative and customized solutions for its customers, by utilizing the large-scale and complex printing capabilities of Arevo’s technology.
