Materialise Expands Its Reach in Traditional Manufacturing Through Strategic Partnerships at IMTS

At this year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Materialise, a global leader in 3D printing software and services, took the spotlight by announcing two major partnerships aimed at revolutionizing the investment casting process. These collaborations with Stratasys and Formlabs underscore Materialise’s commitment to integrating 3D printing with traditional manufacturing practices, offering innovative solutions that reduce cost and improve efficiency.

I sat down with JP Velasco, OEM Partner Manager, and Don Licht, Director of OEM Partnerships and Channel Development, to discuss Materialise’s latest initiatives and their broader implications for the manufacturing industry.

Manufacturers Can Now Quickly Produce High-Quality Master Patterns for Investment Casting Production with New 3D Printing Build Processor from Stratasys and Materialise (Photo: Business Wire)

Bridging the Gap Between Additive and Traditional Manufacturing

Materialise has been at the forefront of the 3D printing revolution since 1990, initially serving as a service bureau before evolving into a provider of advanced software solutions for additive manufacturing. According to Velasco, Materialise recognized early on that files for 3D printing often failed, prompting them to focus on developing software designed specifically for additive manufacturing.

“Our software connects every industry with every technology, ensuring that users of 3D printers can create high-quality parts,” said Velasco. This commitment to quality is what has positioned Materialise as a crucial player in the additive manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in sectors like investment casting, where the stakes are high.

New Partnerships with Stratasys and Formlabs

One of the most exciting announcements at IMTS was Materialise’s new partnerships with Stratasys and Formlabs, both of which are aimed at enhancing the investment casting process. Investment casting, an ancient technique dating back to the Bronze Age, involves creating a sacrificial pattern, coating it in ceramic, and then pouring molten metal into the negative mold left after the pattern is burned away. While the process has stood the test of time, it is also slow and costly due to the need for expensive tooling.

“We’re borrowing the tradition of investment casting but bringing in additive manufacturing by printing the patterns,” explained Licht. This hybrid approach eliminates the long lead times and high costs associated with conventional tooling, allowing for greater flexibility in design and faster production times.

The partnership with Stratasys focuses on integrating Materialise’s Build Processor software with the Stratasys Neo stereolithography machine. This software streamlines the process by creating internal structures within the 3D-printed parts, speeding up print times by as much as 50%. “The Build Processor acts as a technical handshake between the software and the machine, optimizing the data flow to produce complex investment casting patterns efficiently,” said Velasco.

Meanwhile, the collaboration with Formlabs is designed for smaller-scale operations. While not as complex as the Stratasys integration, this partnership enables users to experiment with different pattern designs before committing to large-scale production. “Formlabs is more of an entry-level solution, ideal for testing and development,” Velasco noted.

A New Era of Collaboration in Manufacturing

Materialise’s approach to additive manufacturing is not about replacing traditional methods but rather complementing them. As Licht pointed out, the future lies in combining the best of both worlds—leveraging the precision and flexibility of 3D printing alongside the reliability of conventional manufacturing.

“The real power of additive manufacturing is its ability to push existing processes further,” said Licht. “We’re not here to replace traditional manufacturing but to enhance it, making it more efficient and adaptable.”

This philosophy of collaboration extends beyond just partnerships with machine manufacturers. Materialise also works closely with materials providers and post-processing companies, creating a holistic ecosystem that spans the entire production process. “Our goal is to be part of the entire ecosystem, from purchase order to parts delivery,” added Velasco.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

As Materialise continues to expand its presence in traditional manufacturing environments, one of the biggest challenges will be penetrating these well-established sectors. “Our biggest challenge is getting the message out to traditional manufacturers about the benefits of integrating additive processes into their workflows,” said Licht.

However, the opportunities are vast. With mid-range machines gaining popularity and the demand for more flexible, cost-effective manufacturing solutions on the rise, Materialise is well-positioned to lead the charge. The company’s software is already an integral part of many additive manufacturing processes, and with its expanding partnerships, it aims to play an even bigger role in the future of manufacturing.

Looking Ahead

Though Licht and Velasco deferred some of the more strategic questions to their colleague Bryan Crutchfield, General Manager of Materialise USA, they did hint at exciting developments on the horizon. One notable innovation is Materialise’s CO-AM platform, a comprehensive solution that manages the entire manufacturing ecosystem, from purchase order to delivery. This platform, combined with the company’s focus on cybersecurity through products like Identify3D, positions Materialise as a leader in both additive and traditional manufacturing spaces.

As Materialise continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with 3D printing, its commitment to collaboration and innovation ensures that it will remain a key player in the industry for years to come.

For more information about Materialise and its latest initiatives, visit materialise.com.

Tags: 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, Formlabs collaboration, investment casting, Materialise software, Stratasys partnership

Category: Materialise

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