Nexa3D Strengthens Industrial 3D Printing with Siemens Partnership and Breakthrough xCE-White Photoplastic

Nexa3D, a dynamic California-based startup, is rapidly redefining the landscape of industrial additive manufacturing. Renowned for its ultrafast industrial-grade 3D printers and pioneering material development, particularly advanced resins, the company has demonstrated remarkable agility and innovation. Its recent activities underscore a commitment to expanding its product portfolio and forging strategic alliances that promise to reshape the future of digital manufacturing. Earlier this year, Nexa3D initiated a significant collaboration with Henkel, a partnership that yielded the groundbreaking photopolymer xMED412. Building on this momentum, the American company recently announced a monumental partnership with Siemens, the Germany-based multinational conglomerate synonymous with industrial solutions. This strategic alliance was unveiled alongside the launch of xCE-White, a cutting-edge photoplastic material, further cementing Nexa3D’s position at the forefront of additive manufacturing innovation.

Nexa3D and Siemens: A Strategic Alliance for Industry 4.0 Acceleration

Siemens has long been celebrated as an undeniable technology powerhouse, driving advancements in manufacturing, infrastructure automation, and digitalization across the globe. While Nexa3D operates as a much younger entity, it has swiftly carved out a formidable reputation as the architect of ultrafast polymer production 3D printers, challenging traditional manufacturing paradigms. Both companies share a rich history of serving demanding industrial customers in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and general industrial applications. This shared expertise and synergistic vision are at the core of their latest collaboration.

The primary objective of this groundbreaking partnership is to elevate Nexa3D’s additive manufacturing production systems to full Industry 4.0 preparedness. This initiative aims to achieve advanced factory automation, seamlessly integrating process monitoring, comprehensive data acquisition, robust connectivity, and intelligent print optimization. The ultimate goal is to deliver polymer AM solutions at an unprecedented scale, transforming how industries approach mass customization and on-demand production. This move is particularly crucial in a rapidly evolving global manufacturing landscape, where agility and resilience are paramount.

Tim Bell, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Siemens, emphasized the profound impact of this collaboration, stating, “Covid-19 underlined the incredibly rapid and flexible nature of our combined factory automation technologies and additive manufacturing capabilities compared to traditional manufacturing and demonstrates how vulnerable the global manufacturing supply chain is to unexpected disruptions. Working together with Nexa3D, we are bringing decades of proven Siemens factory automation experience and technology to additive manufacturing to help customers mainstream mission critical production tools for future manufacturing strategies.” His remarks highlight the critical need for manufacturing systems that can adapt quickly to unforeseen challenges, a capability that additive manufacturing, powered by advanced automation, is uniquely positioned to provide.

Under the terms of this pivotal collaboration, Nexa3D’s entire Quantum Laser Sintering (QLS) product line will undergo standardization, integrating Siemens’ state-of-the-art factory automation and cutting-edge edge computing technologies. This strategic alignment ensures that Nexa3D’s high-speed polymer 3D printers will operate with enhanced precision, reliability, and connectivity, directly leveraging Siemens’ profound expertise in industrial control systems. Manufacturers can anticipate significant benefits, including improved operational efficiency, reduced human intervention, and a seamless data flow that enables continuous optimization of the printing process. Nexa3D has announced plans for the commercial delivery of its flagship QLS-350 polymer production 3D printer, powered by Siemens’ advanced automation controls, in the first quarter of 2021, marking a concrete step towards widespread industrial adoption.

Unveiling xCE-White: A Breakthrough Photoplastic for Rapid Production

The collaboration with Siemens is not the only significant development Nexa3D has shared recently. The innovative American startup has also unveiled a revolutionary new photopolymer material, aptly named xCE-White. This advanced material is specifically engineered for the rapid production of high-quality, end-use plastic parts and even functional injection molding tools, all achievable in a matter of minutes. xCE-White stands as the fastest single-cure material in Nexa3D’s impressive portfolio to date, a testament to the company’s continuous drive for speed and efficiency in additive manufacturing. Its introduction promises to deliver up to a 20X increase in productivity within additive manufacturing workflows, a critical advantage for industries striving for faster time-to-market and reduced operational costs. Furthermore, xCE-White boasts exceptional high flexural strength, ensuring the durability and performance of printed components under rigorous conditions.

Developed for optimal performance with the company’s flagship NXE400 3D printer, xCE-White is capable of producing isotropic parts, meaning their mechanical properties are uniform in all directions. This characteristic is crucial for applications requiring consistent performance, making the material ideally suited for a diverse range of industrial uses. These include various automotive parts, where reliability and precision are paramount; automation and robotic assemblies, demanding robust and lightweight components; and a multitude of general industrial applications, such as jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes. The ability to produce these components at speeds comparable to, or even exceeding, traditional injection molding processes represents a monumental leap forward for additive manufacturing. As a compelling demonstration of its capabilities, Nexa3D proudly showcased the 3D printing of 21 life-size midsoles in an astonishing 48 minutes, illustrating the material’s potential for high-volume, agile production.

Michele Marchesan, Chief Growth Officer for Nexa3D, articulated the excitement surrounding this new material: “We are very excited to bring to market our fastest functional photoplastic material yet, underscoring Nexa3D’s commitment to providing our customers with the highest levels of design agility and supply chain resiliency both now and post-Covid-19 that produce functional parts literally within minutes. With xCE-White, we are delivering a new performance photoplastic that is ideal for many production parts in addition to being an outstanding injection molding tooling material.” His statement powerfully encapsulates the strategic importance of xCE-White in enabling manufacturers to achieve unprecedented levels of flexibility and responsiveness, crucial elements for navigating modern market demands and ensuring robust supply chains.

Driving the Future of Industrial Additive Manufacturing

The dual announcements of the Siemens partnership and the xCE-White material launch firmly establish Nexa3D as a pivotal force in the industrial additive manufacturing sector. The alliance with Siemens represents a powerful convergence of cutting-edge 3D printing speed with unparalleled industrial automation expertise, setting a new standard for scalability and reliability in polymer AM. This strategic integration paves the way for Nexa3D’s QLS line to seamlessly fit into highly automated, data-driven factory environments, accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing for mission-critical production across various industries.

Simultaneously, the introduction of xCE-White addresses the persistent industry demand for materials that combine speed, strength, and versatility. By offering a photoplastic capable of producing end-use parts and robust injection molding tools with exceptional rapidity and isotropic properties, Nexa3D is directly enabling manufacturers to overcome traditional production bottlenecks. This empowers companies to shorten development cycles, innovate faster, and respond to market needs with unprecedented agility. Both developments collectively underscore Nexa3D’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with additive manufacturing, delivering solutions that are not only faster but also more integrated, resilient, and ultimately, more transformative for global industry.

What are your thoughts on Nexa3D’s groundbreaking partnership with Siemens and the exciting launch of the xCE-White material? We invite you to share your insights and comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements in 3D printing—sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to receive all the breaking news directly in your inbox!