Xact Metal, the metal additive manufacturing (AM) original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that specializes in affordable powder bed fusion (PBF) platforms, has recently made an exclusive partnership with System Create Co. to distribute Xact Metal printers in Japan. As part of the deal, System Create Co. will also provide technical support and maintenance services to Xact Metal’s customers in Japan.
Founded by Matt Woods, an engineer from Penn State University (PSU), Xact Metal was established in 2017 in State College, PA. The company’s main focus is on affordability and accessibility, aiming to make metal AM adoption easier for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers. This has become a priority for many nations around the world, including Japan. In comparison to other economies like the US and Germany, Japan’s domestic SMEs have been lagging behind in terms of metal AM.
Hiroki Iwai, the Marketing Lead for System Create Co., expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Xact Metal to introduce a low-priced metal 3D printer that is relatively easy to incorporate in Japan. Xact Metal’s printers can be introduced at less than half of the initial cost compared to conventional metal SLS 3D printers, and they require a small space for installation. In addition, Xact Metal printers can use third party materials which keeps operating costs low.”
Juan Mario Gomez, CEO of Xact Metal, also commented on the partnership, saying, “At Xact Metal, we’re establishing a new level of price and performance in metal 3D printing by taking the essential specs of metal AM and combining them with breakthrough technology. We are pleased to partner with System Create Co. to introduce a low-priced metal 3D printer into Japan.”
As the US focuses on deploying metal 3D printing for distributed manufacturing, it is crucial to ensure that the US and its leading trade partners, like Japan, are at the same level in terms of their progress in advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly metal AM. Japan’s role is particularly significant because its manufacturing sector is expected to play a more prominent role in the domestic US economy. To achieve truly distributed supply chains, the capabilities need to be scaled up quickly, which is why affordability is key. Xact Metal is a logical fit for the Japanese market because its lower cost metal 3D printers can help achieve this goal.
Furthermore, it will be interesting to observe the impact of entering new overseas markets on companies like Xact Metal in the domestic US business. On one hand, accessing a new customer base will allow for increased scaling potential, potentially reducing the cost of Xact Metal’s platforms. This could attract more buyers in the US, especially among American SME manufacturers, who have been hesitant to enter the metal AM market due to high costs.
In conclusion, Xact Metal’s partnership with System Create Co. in Japan not only addresses the urgent need for affordable metal AM solutions in the Japanese market but also aligns with the larger goal of achieving distributed manufacturing through advanced technologies worldwide. The entry into new overseas markets may bring down costs and increase adoption of metal AM, benefiting both Xact Metal and the broader manufacturing industry. Stay updated on the latest news and developments in the 3D printing industry to witness the impact of these advancements firsthand.
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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