#3DExpress: SpaceX to Collaborate With Velo3D?

This week, we take you on a little trip into space with SpaceX: the company has reportedly signed a licensing and support agreement with metal 3D printer manufacturer Velo3D. This is good news for Velo3D, which had been struggling for several months. Meanwhile, Steakholder Foods has opened a demonstrator center fo food 3D printing and there have been encouraging developments in construction 3D printing in France. Last but not least, we tell you about the WorldSkills 2024 results and the partnership between Toolcraft and Siemenes. Read on to find out more!

SpaceX Enters Into Deal with Velo3D

Velo3D is back in the news! After hearing last week about the company’s delisting on the NYSE, some positive news has come to the metal 3D printer manufacturer. It seems that earlier this week, Velo3D entered into a licensing and support agreement with SpaceX in an $8 million deal, in a move that many in the industry are heralding as “lifesaving” for the struggling AM solutions provider. Whether this is the case remains to be seen, but the deal itself encompasses a fee of $5 million for the technology license, as well as a further $3 million for engineering and support services. The license is worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free and perpetual, meaning that SpaceX will be able to manufacture, modify and develop Velo3D’s technology for internal operations. Furthermore, this also covers any improvements or modifications made to the technology by Velo3D in the next 12 months. After that period, changes made by Velo3D will remain the company’s sole property, while those made by SpaceX will remain under their own IP. Hopefully the deal will not only help Velo3D to continue to advance but also be a huge milestone in the use of additive manufacturing in the space industry.

Photo Credits: SpaceX

Steakholder Foods Opens a Demonstration Center for Food 3D printing

Israeli food technology company Steakholder Foods this week announced the opening of a new demonstration center. Interested parties will be able to get an on-the-spot idea of how plant-based food production is achieved using 3D printing. The showpieces of food production – the MX200 and HD144 printing plants – will of course be part of the demonstration center, printing live for visitors. The aim of Steakholder Foods is, on the one hand, to raise awareness and illustrate alternative food production and, on the other, to strengthen customer loyalty and attract new customers. Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods, commented: “We believe that our demonstration center will be a cornerstone of interaction with potential customers and partners. It’s not just about seeing the technology in action – it’s about experiencing the future of food production in real time. This center will play a crucial role in promoting our capabilities and building stronger relationships within the industry.”