
Vision & Investors
HETEROMERGE stands for high-precision functional 3D micro-printing, thus, for smallest freeform 3D structures made from different materials.
Why different materials?
Because it allows for changing structural properties in additive fabrication over a wide spectrum and enables deep integration of multiple functions into tiny 3D structures in one printing process.
Why is this important?
There are many applications requiring micro-fluidics, micro-mechanics, or micro-optics with different functions integrated into a single free-form structure.
To name just one example: one can print compact compound optics, that enable miniaturized and lightweight camera modules in mobile, airborne, or minimally invasive medical applications for the benefit of consumers and patients. Such optics can also lead to more efficient data transfer in data centers, reducing energy consumption while providing even higher bandwidth than current solutions.
And what does that lead to?
Because of the advantages that multi-material printing offers, it will prevail over mono-material printing in 3D in the same way that color printing has prevailed over black-and-white printing in 2D. Users design their desired structure and select the desired materials, start printing and get the desired result in a single print process. In the future, small-scale multi-material printing will be integrated into all-additive digital production as a matter of course.
With the technology of today, high-precision functional – or multi-material – 3D micro-printing is not possible. A radically new technological approach is needed.
We have already taken the first steps toward this vision and have developed our MergeOne print platform – currently available for pilot customers.
We have a clear roadmap:
- Development of a multi-material printhead as an add-on for existing printer systems so that users can upgrade their systems immediately.
- Further development of our printhead technology so that it can be fully embedded into printers at the manufacturers’ level (HETEROMERGE inside) for an improved multi-material printing experience.
- Development of own multi-material products and small batch production to demonstrate applications and illustrate feasibility for volume production.
For the implementation of each of these stages, we need fully dedicated partners at our side who are willing to accompany us financially, professionally, and personally on our way into the described multi-material future.
Are you with us?
Please contact joerg.knorr@heteromerge.com.