Sam Brusco, Associate Editor01.04.24
Align Technology has completed the acquisition of Cubicure, a German pioneer in direct 3D printing solutions for polymer additive manufacturing. The company develops, produces, and distributes materials, equipment, and processes for novel 3D printing solutions.
Cubicure will extend and scale Align’s printing, materials, and manufacturing capabilities for its 3D-printed product portfolio, which now includes the Invisalign palatal expander system. Cubicure’s Hot Lithography technology uses a heating and coating mechanism to enable processing of highly viscous resins for tough and temperature-resistant polymers.
The acquisition closed on January 2, for about €79 million subject to final closing adjustments and adjustments for Align’s existing ownership of capital stock of Cubicure.
Joe Hogan, Align president and CEO said, “The acquisition of Cubicure brings a talented team and unique cutting-edge technology into Align and will enable us to scale our 3D printing operations to eventually direct print millions of custom appliances per day. Direct 3D printing enables Align to create 3D printed solutions without the added step of first creating a mold, making 3D printing more sustainable and efficient. I am excited to take this important step in our relationship with Cubicure, which began several years ago as a joint development program.”
“Align has invested billions of dollars on innovation over the past 27 years, including next-generation 3D printing technologies to process high-performance polymers,” added Srini Kaza, Align senior VP, product R&D. “We’ve been working with Cubicure for years and I am thrilled that they are now officially employees of Align and members of our R&D organization. We're at the beginning of this next wave of direct 3D printing additive manufacturing and I believe we're poised to transform the orthodontic industry again with our unprecedented ability to direct print devices.”
Cubicure will extend and scale Align’s printing, materials, and manufacturing capabilities for its 3D-printed product portfolio, which now includes the Invisalign palatal expander system. Cubicure’s Hot Lithography technology uses a heating and coating mechanism to enable processing of highly viscous resins for tough and temperature-resistant polymers.
The acquisition closed on January 2, for about €79 million subject to final closing adjustments and adjustments for Align’s existing ownership of capital stock of Cubicure.
Joe Hogan, Align president and CEO said, “The acquisition of Cubicure brings a talented team and unique cutting-edge technology into Align and will enable us to scale our 3D printing operations to eventually direct print millions of custom appliances per day. Direct 3D printing enables Align to create 3D printed solutions without the added step of first creating a mold, making 3D printing more sustainable and efficient. I am excited to take this important step in our relationship with Cubicure, which began several years ago as a joint development program.”
“Align has invested billions of dollars on innovation over the past 27 years, including next-generation 3D printing technologies to process high-performance polymers,” added Srini Kaza, Align senior VP, product R&D. “We’ve been working with Cubicure for years and I am thrilled that they are now officially employees of Align and members of our R&D organization. We're at the beginning of this next wave of direct 3D printing additive manufacturing and I believe we're poised to transform the orthodontic industry again with our unprecedented ability to direct print devices.”