02-08-2019: Xerox acquired Vader Systems and entered the 3D printing market
Though only for a brief moment, as it exited the sector already two years ago
On February 8, 2019, Xerox, the American giant in the printer and copier industry, announced the acquisition of Vader Systems, a manufacturer of 3D printers utilizing liquid metal printing technology. This move was part of Xerox’s broader strategy, as the company had been signaling its intentions to enter the 3D printing market for several months. The acquisition of Vader, known for developing its proprietary MagnetoJet technology, allowed Xerox to establish a direct presence in the metal additive manufacturing sector.
Vader Systems was founded in 2013 by Zach Vader and his father, Scott Vader. The company developed a unique metal 3D printing method that used metal wire as feedstock. The MagnetoJet technology worked by heating the metal to a liquid state in a specialized ceramic nozzle and then precisely ejecting droplets using an electromagnetic field.
This process was highly material-efficient, reaching 98% material utilization, and enabled the use of various conductive metals, offering a significant advantage over traditional metal powder-based 3D printing methods. By utilizing wire instead of powder, Vader Systems simplified printer design and reduced operational costs.
For Xerox, the acquisition of Vader was part of a larger expansion strategy into additive manufacturing. The company had been considering entry into the 3D printing space for several years. In 2016, Janos Veres, leader of the Novel and Printed Electronics program, suggested that the company’s transformation would include 3D printing technologies and Industry 4.0 innovations. However, it wasn’t until John Visentin took over as CEO in 2018 that Xerox took concrete steps in this direction. Visentin announced the development of a 3D printing roadmap, which ultimately led to the acquisition of Vader.
Following the takeover, Vader Systems was rebranded as Elem Additive Solutions, Xerox’s division focused on liquid metal 3D printing. Under this unit, the company developed the ElemX 3D printer.
Unfortunately, on June 2022, John Visentin unexpectedly died at the age of 59. This resulted in shift in management, and change of the strategy. In August 2023, Xerox announced the sale of Elem Additive Solutions to ADDiTEC. This decision was part of Xerox’s new approach to focus on core business areas, such as printing, IT services, and digital solutions.
So, in the end, Xerox’s official adventure with metal 3D printing lasted only four years…
Source: www.crunchbase.com