Lithoz acquires CerAMing, expands ceramic Additive Manufacturing technology
October 10, 2022
Lithoz, Vienna, Austria, has acquired Germany-based CerAMing, the patent holder of the Layer-wise Slurry Disposition (LSD)-Print ceramic Additive Manufacturing process. The company is a spin-off of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung – BAM).
This acquisition means that Lithoz now has a complete “all from one source” portfolio of market-relevant processes in AM for advanced ceramics that include LSD-Print, Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM), a Vat Photopolymerisation (VPP) process, and the company’s Laser-induced Slipcasting (LIS) technology.
Lithoz has until recently focused on ultra-precise resolutions and highly complex internal structures in the case of LCM, and on particularly high wall thicknesses and the largest possible volumes with complete density in the case of LIS. The acquisition of CerAMing and the associated expansion of the technology portfolio to include layer-by-layer slurry disposition means that Lithoz can now cover a broader range of applications in ceramic Additive Manufacturing with LSD-Print technology covering the area between the LCM and LIS processes.
These three processes share extremely high densities and excellent material properties, as well as the freedom of design that comes with additively manufactured parts. Lithoz states that depending on the specific strength of the respective technology, even the most diverse customer requirements can now be fulfilled from a single source.
“With the acquisition of CerAMing, Lithoz is expanding its technology portfolio through strategic acquisition for the first time,” commented Dr Johannes Homa, CEO. “We see this technology as another key pillar in the realisation of our vision to enable geographically independent, yet fully digitally connected, global serial production in the ceramics industry. We have already been able to realise this with our market-leading LCM technology, and along with LIS technology we will soon also be able to further our goals with LSD printing as complementary technologies with the same high quality and without compromising on results.”
Sebastian Walzel, co-founder of CerAMing, stated, “When we started our journey as entrepreneurs in 2019, we were particularly inspired by the success story of Lithoz. It fills us with pride that CerAMing will now become a part of this success and that the fruits of our labour will contribute to its progress.”
Prof Dr Ulrich Panne, president BAM, added, “Spin-offs like CerAMing make an important contribution to technology transfer, which is one of the central tasks of our research. There are many excellent scientists with innovative ideas at BAM. Our BAM Startup-Slingshot initiative supports them with scientific know-how and our excellent laboratory equipment on their way to entrepreneurship.”
