ExOne and Fraunhofer IFAM Deepen Partnership on Metal Binder, Materials Development
1.9.2021 15:30:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
The ExOne Company (Nasdaq: XONE), the global leader in industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (“Fraunhofer IFAM”), one of the most important independent research institutions in Europe, today announced they are deepening their partnership on binder and materials development projects following the success of CleanFuse™ metal binder.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210901005493/en/
Parts produced by metal binder jetting before (left) and after (right) sintering. © Fraunhofer IFAM (Photo: Business Wire)
Fraunhofer IFAM’s relationship with ExOne on metal binder jetting development spans more than two decades. They have been working together since about 1998, when ExOne, then part of Extrude Hone, launched the world’s first commercial metal binder jetting system, the RTS-300. In recent years, they have jointly refined and optimized CleanFuse, an ExOne binder based on a development by Fraunhofer IFAM. The result is a clean-burning binder for optimal 3D printing of stainless steels and premium metals.
“When we started developing the first binder version on the Innovent, we soon realized we had a major breakthrough. ExOne was immediately very enthusiastic about our development, because of its exceptional green part strength and clean burnout at low curing temperature. Together with ExOne, we refined the binder, which is now CleanFuse,” says Prof. Frank Petzoldt, Deputy Director of Fraunhofer IFAM since 1999.
Following this success, Fraunhofer IFAM and ExOne have decided to intensify their cooperation and are currently working on a CleanFuse version for processing reactive materials such as aluminum and titanium.
“At ExOne, we truly believe in the power of collaboration – of bringing together a diversity of experts and knowledge – to solve complex problems in the best possible way,” said Rick Lucas, ExOne Chief Technology Officer and VP, New Markets. “Fraunhofer IFAM has been a leading collaboration partner for us – helping to improve our understanding of binders, different types of powders, and how they work together through the entire process chain from printing to final sintering to deliver a quality part.”
Fraunhofer IFAM has a strong foundation in the development and processing of metallic and polymer materials as well as comprehensive knowledge of additive manufacturing technologies – especially for sinter-based processes. The institute’s location in Bremen is fully equipped for sinter-based additive manufacturing and offers all technologies for the printing, depowdering, debinding and sintering of metal parts. The researchers have special know-how around metal powders, binders and their interaction. For research and development in the field of metal binder jetting, they work with a range of ExOne printers starting with the Innovent+ for material and process development. Three printers feature ExOne’s patented Triple Advanced Compaction Technology (ACT) delivering industry- leading green part density. Recently, the institute has put the X1 25Pro® production-speed metal binder jetting system into operation in order to investigate feasibility in context of pilot and pre-series production. Manufacturers interested in metal binder jetting are welcome to schedule a visit to Fraunhofer IFAM Bremen to learn more about the technology and the application possibilities in their fields.
http://www.ifam.fraunhofer.de/de/Presse/Downloads.html
About Fraunhofer IFAM
The Fraunhofer IFAM is one of the most important independent research institutions in Europe for adhesive bonding technology, surfaces, shaping and functional materials. Research and development primarily address industries with special significance for future viability: aviation, automotive, energy technology, medical technology and life sciences, and maritime technologies. At our institute’s five locations – Bremen, Dresden, Stade, Wolfsburg and Braunschweig – as well as at the Test Center for Maritime Technologies on Helgoland – we put our central principles into practice: scientific excellence, a focus on the application of technology, measurable utility at the highest quality for customers. www.ifam.fraunhofer.de
About ExOne
ExOne is the pioneer and global leader in binder jet 3D printing technology. Since 1995, we’ve been on a mission to deliver powerful 3D printers that solve the toughest problems and enable world-changing innovations. Our 3D printing systems quickly transform powder materials — including metals, ceramics, composites and sand — into precision parts, metalcasting molds and cores, and innovative tooling solutions. Industrial customers use our technology to save time and money, reduce waste, improve their manufacturing flexibility, and deliver designs and products that were once impossible.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210901005493/en/
Contact information
Sarah Webster
Chief Marketing Officer, ExOne
724-516-2336
sarah.webster@exone.com
Randy Eisinger M. A.
Head of Corporate Communications, Fraunhofer IFAM
Phone +49 421 2246-252
randy.eisinger@ifam.fraunhofer.de
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
HappyRobot Raises $150 Million Series C to Build Enterprise Superintelligence4.8.2026 15:30:00 EEST | Press release
HappyRobot, the company putting AI agents to work across complex enterprise operations, today announced it has raised $150 million in Series C funding led by Prysm Capital and co-led by Eurazeo. Existing investors a16z, Base10, Y Combinator are doubling down with participation from strategics like Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), Orange, and T.Capital (Deutsche Telekom), Bankinter, Endeavor Catalyst, Kfund and Wave-X. The round values the company at $1.2 billion post-money, bringing total funding to around $200 million and marking a new stage of growth as enterprises deploy AI agents across mission-critical work. HappyRobot works with more than 150+ enterprise customers, including DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, Naturgy, Repsol, and Uber, and has grown 5x since raising its Series B late last year. After first proving its platform in logistics, one of the world’s most operationally demanding industries, HappyRobot is expanding across the supply chain as well as into insurance, energy and utilit
New 3D Flash Memory Technology from Kioxia and Sandisk Achieves Industry’s Highest Bit Density for QLC NAND4.8.2026 15:30:00 EEST | Press release
Future of Memory and Storage Conference (FMS) – Kioxia Corporation, a subsidiary of Kioxia Holdings Corporation (TOKYO: 285A) and Sandisk Corporation (Nasdaq: SNDK) today unveiled their next-generation Quad-Level-Cell (QLC) 3D flash memory technology, which delivers up to 60% increase in bit density compared to their 8th-generation, surpassing 37 Gb/mm² and setting the industry benchmark1 for bit density, performance and power efficiency. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804147821/en/ Leveraging the companies’ revolutionary CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) technology2 which fabricates CMOS logic and the memory array on separate wafers before bonding them together with high-precision wafer-to-wafer alignment, the new generation improves read and write bandwidth compared to the 8th-generation 3D flash memory and becomes the industry’s first QLC 3D flash memory technology to reach a 4.8 Gb/s 3 interface. Add
Thredd and Pliant Expand Partnership to Launch U.S. Commercial Credit Program, Accelerate Embedded Finance for Businesses4.8.2026 15:00:00 EEST | Press release
Thredd, the AI-first issuer processing platform, today announced the expansion of its partnership with Pliant, bringing the company’s commercial credit and embedded finance platform capabilities to the U.S. market for the first time. Pliant provides European businesses with physical and virtual credit cards that have built-in reconciliation, spend controls, and deep integrations into modern finance stacks. Through its expanded partnership with Thredd, Pliant has successfully mirrored its established European proposition in the U.S., enabling American businesses to issue commercial credit cards that maintain real-time visibility into spend and cash-flow management. The program is live in the U.S. on the Visa network, with bank sponsorship provided by Coastal. The launch follows a successful soft rollout in late 2025, allowing Pliant to begin onboarding U.S. customers while laying the foundation for long-term growth in the market. “This partnership reflects exactly what Thredd is built f
Vasion® is Imprivata®-Ready Certified to Bring Trusted Identity Across Healthcare Print Infrastructure4.8.2026 15:00:00 EEST | Press release
Vasion, a leader in intelligent print automation, today announced a strategic integration with Imprivata, a leading digital identity and access management company for life- and mission-critical industries, starting with healthcare. The Vasion platform, with PrinterLogic®, PrinterLogic Output, and Vasion Automate, offers shared Imprivata customers a unified identity layer, spanning endpoints and printers, for secure, enterprise-wide visibility into every print job. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804404337/en/ The integration is designed to maximize existing Imprivata deployments. No rip-and-replace is required. The Vasion platform works with the Imprivata infrastructure organizations already have in place, extending its value to print without adding new hardware. Print environments remain a blind spot in identity and access management. The stakes are significant. Quocirca's 2025 Print Security Landscape stu
Altasciences Completes Expansion of Research and Development Laboratory in Harleysville, Pennsylvania4.8.2026 15:00:00 EEST | Press release
Altasciences is excited to share it has expanded the R&D laboratory at its drug product formulation and manufacturing services facility in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, adding approximately 768 square feet of new laboratory space. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260804164599/en/ From left to right: Nasir Egal (General Manager, CDMO Services); Marie-Hélène Raigneau (Chief Executive Officer); Anuji Abraham (Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Development, CDMO Services); Robert Sabelli (Co-Chief Operating Officer); Cathy Konidas (Chief Administrative Officer) The expansion brings together formulation development and analytical testing within a single laboratory. This integrated setup is designed to accelerate decision-making, streamline workflows, and strengthen collaboration across scientific disciplines. “With this expansion, we are strengthening our focus on early-stage integration, bringing our CDMO capabilities t
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom