Align Technology – an American manufacturer of digital 3D scanners and transparent tooth overlays used in orthodontics, announced the finalization of the acquisition of the Austrian company Cubicure producing photopolymer 3D printers. The transaction was initially announced in September 2023 and closed earlier this week, on January 2, 2024, for an amount of EUR 79 million.
Align Technology has decided to acquire Cubicure to “support and scale” its “strategic innovation roadmap.” For two decades, Align has been using 3D printing technology to produce molds for its Invisalign clear aligners, but in recent years it has begun to explore the possibility of printing these products directly. The acquisition of Cubicure is related to these efforts.
In a press release, Align states that Cubicure will help scale 3D printing, materials and manufacturing capabilities across its Invisalign Palatal Expander system portfolio – the company’s first additively manufactured orthodontic application. Align also claims that Cubicure’s patented Hot Lithography technology “facilitates unprecedented” additive manufacturing of resilient components thanks to unique material properties.
Align Technology CEO and President Joe Hogan said: “The acquisition of Cubicure will bring a talented team and unique, cutting-edge technology to Align and enable us to scale our 3D printing operations to ultimately produce millions of custom devices per day. Direct 3D printing enables Align to create 3D printing solutions without the additional mold creation step, making them 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.
“Over the past 27 years, Align has invested billions of dollars in innovation, including next-generation 3D printing technologies for processing high-performance polymers,” added Srini Kaza, Align senior vice president of research and product development. “We have been working with Cubicure for years and I am thrilled that they are now officially members of Align. We are at the beginning of the next wave of direct additive manufacturing, and I believe we are poised to transform the orthodontic industry once again.”
Source: www.aligntech.com