LOS ANGELES—3DEO, a design, engineering, and metal additive manufacturing (AM) company, reported that it secured a significant investment from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and Seiko Epson Corporation (EPSON). The partnership marks a pivotal step in 3DEO’s expansion and “underscores the confidence in its proprietary end-to-end 3D printing technology,” the company said in a release.
According to 3DEO, its unique approach focuses on a specialization in complex metal 3D printed components/assemblies and advanced Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). It is underpinned by a differentiated portfolio of 18 patents. The company said its purpose-driven vision empowers customers to innovate and design competitively positioned products, while its end-to-end solution, encompassing proprietary software, metal 3D printers, robotics, and materials, streamlines the production process.
This integration is said to significantly reduce the complexity for clients. It allows them to scale up without the burden of mastering additive manufacturing processes themselves, supported by 3DEO’s comprehensive DfAM training and expertise.
The investment will propel 3DEO’s growth strategies in North America and Japan, expanding opportunities for partnerships in the semiconductor, aerospace, medical devices and equipment, and industrial sectors.
“The collaboration with DBJ and EPSON is a powerful endorsement of our mission to empower product and engineering teams across the globe,” said Matthew Petros, CEO and co-founder of 3DEO, in the release. “This investment is not just capital; it’s a commitment to a shared vision of challenging what’s possible through the combination of additive design principles and differentiated capabilities.”
In Japan, according to 3DEO, a strong belief in conventional metalworking, based on precision casting, has supported the growth of the machining and assembly industry, as well as the optimization of the supply chain in terms of quality and cost. However, while there is a movement toward research and development of additive manufacturing technologies and DfAM, the adoption rate at production sites faces significant barriers. This collaboration is poised to address these challenges, contributing to the advancement of additive manufacturing technologies within Japan’s established manufacturing landscape, the company said.
The strategic investment by DBJ and EPSON aligns with DBJ’s mandate to foster “technological innovation and reorganization of industry,” and with Epson’s mission to promote “manufacturing innovation” under its Epson 25 Renewed Corporate Vision. Made through the DBJ Startups and Innovation Fund, the investment will bolster 3DEO’s business expansion in North America and Japan, the release said.
“By integrating 3DEO’s AM capabilities with the meticulous engineering tradition of Japan, we aim to unlock new levels of productivity and expand the manufacturing possibilities in one of the world’s leading economies,” said Payman Torabi, CTO and co-founder of 3DEO, in the release. “This investment is a testament to the trust and potential seen in 3DEO’s innovative approach. We are excited to collaborate with DBJ and Epson, leveraging their expertise and market reach to enhance and refine the landscape of Additive Manufacturing.”
The investment by DBJ and EPSON, secured after careful review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), will enable 3DEO to leverage the Japanese manufacturing industry’s strengths while fostering technological advancements in both regions. The Development Bank of Japan will provide hands-on support to 3DEO and work closely with Epson and other stakeholders to proactively support 3DEO in building its business and increasing its corporate value.
In addition, DBJ will serve as a nexus for all parties involved, including the national and local governments and related private companies, and contribute to the social implementation of DfAM in Japan. The aim is to contribute to the innovation and restructuring of the manufacturing industry.
“We are excited to see how this synergy will support our continued mission to empower customers with unparalleled design freedom and production capabilities,” added Petros.
3DEO, headquartered in Los Angeles, is an ISO 9001:2015 certified provider that specializes in metal additive manufacturing with a focus on precision metal 3D printed components. The company holds a suite of 18 patents for its Intelligent Layering® technology and end-to-end manufacturing solution that includes proprietary software, robotics, and metal 3D printers.