Nexa and Henkel Join Hands to Develop Turnkey AM Production Systems

Nexa and Henkel Join Hands to Develop Turnkey AM Production Systems

Manufacturing Technology Insights | Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Nexa3D and Henkel aim to invite additional automation, process, and software innovation partners to connect with NEXTFACTORY and be part of delivering complete end-to-end additive manufacturing solutions for volume production applications.

FREMONT, CA: Nexa3D, the manufacturer of ultrafast polymer 3D printers, in collaboration with Henkel, a chemical and consumer goods company, recently opened its first full-scale additive manufacturing customer center, NEXTFACTORY, in Ventura, CA. Nexa3D and Henkel intend to utilize the center to accelerate the adoption of additive production at scale for footwear, industrial, mobility,  and healthcare applications by demonstrating to businesses how they can construct an end-to-end solution utilizing AM technologies in addition to assisting clients.

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Co-located within the Nexa3D global headquarters, NEXTFACTORY offers current and potential customers with direct access to all aspects of the additive polymer manufacturing process, from design decision support and optimization to full-scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) operations, along with integrated post-processing technologies, material formulation customization, color matching and several finishing options. Both firms aim to invite additional automation, process, and software innovation partners to connect with NEXTFACTORY and be part of delivering complete end-to-end additive manufacturing solutions for volume production applications.

"The Center is designed to help customers across the entire additive process and accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing in their business, regardless of where they are on their journey," explained Simon Mawson, Senior Vice President and Global Head of 3D Printing at Henkel. "Customers will benefit from hands-on training and the ability to pilot their own production requirements, enabling them to realize the full potential of additive manufacturing and leverage the combined functional materials, validated workflows and 3D printing expertise that Henkel and Nexa3D have to offer."

Both firms intend to welcome more automation, process, and software innovation partners to join NEXTFACTORY and help deliver complete end-to-end additive manufacturing solutions for volume production. NEXTFACTORY will give production professionals from all over the world access to Nexa3D and Henkel's combined domain experience, resources, tools, optimal functional materials, and modular production and post-processing equipment to create their own end-to-end production processes. Customers wishing to speed up their production scale-up process development, material selection, and optimization, and production line design and procurement can use the center as a full-service production scaling facility.

Nexa3D and Henkel collaborated to fulfill the growing need for additively made components and assemblies in various industries, including mobility, footwear, industrial, and health care. Henkel and Nexa3D plan to work together to bring the full customer value of additive manufacturing to customers by expanding the range of functional materials, customizing material qualities, and providing color matching and finishing options that meet their individual needs.

"For example, customers can come to the center with a prototype product, and we will collaborate with them to design and build a pilot production proof of concept, said Avi Reichental, co-founder, Chairman and CEO, Nexa3D. We will then work with them to develop a turnkey solution with the best system, tailored materials and post processing equipment for their application. By working with us, customers will better understand how to industrialize their processes while improving product quality and supply chain sustainability," concluded Reichental.

Production specialists who are ready to transition to large-scale digital manufacturing can visit the center to learn about the newest design optimization techniques, such as part consolidation and light-weighting, as well as proven ways for scaling up to mass production. Customers can also try out a variety of cutting-edge production software tools, such as factory execution systems and post-processing and finishing automation solutions.

Nexa3D and Henkel plan to open two more centers in North America and one in Europe by the end of 2022 to serve consumers better.

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