A better wind
The Atomic Layers: S9E8 (00245)
Atomic Layer of the Day:
Today brought another major change at Nano Dimension. The former—but temporary—CEO, Julien Lederman, has stepped down, and Ofir Baharav—the former Chairman of the Board of Directors—has taken his place. Robert Pons, a Nano Dimension Board Member, has assumed the role of Chairman.
Are you keeping up?
Ofir Baharav is a highly experienced executive, having previously served as CEO at XJet (2007–2014) and VP at Stratasys (2014–2015). He has been involved with Nano Dimension twice—once between 2020 and 2021, and again since January 2025, when Murchinson took control of the company.
As the new CEO, he’ll have a tough nut to crack. During Yoav Stern’s tenure, Nano Dimension acquired a number of companies—many of which never really fit together. The acquisition of Desktop Metal only amplified this situation, especially since Ric Fulop also had a tendency to spend freely on acquisitions—albeit acquiring some truly large players (like EnvisionTEC or ExOne), which means the stakes are significantly higher.
Now Baharav needs to bring all of this together into a coherent whole. He may have to make a few unpopular decisions, possibly shutting down or selling off certain assets that the company won’t be able to support on its own.
And let’s not forget: soon Markforged and its package of companies (like Digital Metal and Teton Simulation) will likely be added to the mix.
Still, it seems the new team at Nano Dimension might not be so bad. Today—completely unrelated to the announcement about the leadership change—I received information that representatives of the new leadership recently visited ExOne’s German branch and… the meeting was received very positively.
It wasn’t easy or smooth, but my sources say that the quality of the discussions was significantly higher than anything previously experienced with the Americans from Desktop Metal. (At least that’s what I’ve been told.)
If that’s true, maybe not all is lost? Maybe there’s a way to organize this mess and turn it into a reasonably functional whole? The task is daunting, and in my opinion, a few companies will have to be sacrificed in a purge—but maybe this story could still have some kind of happy ending?
Atomic Layer from the Past:
04-08-2013: taulman 3D released 645 Clear nylon filament.
Calling all LFAM 3D printers manufacturers!
We’re kicking off recruitment for the new edition of The 3D Printing World Guide — this time, we’re looking for the largest 3D printers from around the world!
📅 Planned release date: April 15, 2025.
News & Gossip:
APWORKS and Equispheres are collaborating to explore North American production of Scalmalloy, a high-strength aluminium-magnesium-scandium alloy developed for AM. If successful, Equispheres would become the first North American supplier. The partnership aims to enhance aerospace supply chain resilience and expand access to advanced AM materials.
This is apparently groundbreaking! SCANLAB and 1000 Kelvin - creator of the AMAIZE Physics-AI platform, have partnered to integrate AI-driven control into metal 3D printing. By combining SCANLAB’s SCANmotionControl system with AMAIZE’s AI, users can simulate and execute laser paths with highest precision, enabling thin, complex geometries and improved thermal profiles. This integration reduces scrap, increases throughput, and ensures first-time-right production. Built on the open 3MF format, the system enables scalable deployment and full transparency. In case you didn’t know, SCANLAB manufactures the optical systems used in all major metal 3D printers. This means the new functionality will simply be available. Also, the level of laser beam control will now be so advanced that applications previously considered difficult or impossible will start to succeed.
Finally, a very surprising and, for me, deeply saddening piece of news: Michael Molitch-Hou — in my opinion, the best AM writer ever — has decided to take his talents elsewhere, leaving 3DPrint.com. I think I know where he’s going. I think I know why. Overall, it’s truly unfortunate that people like Michael, to whom the global AM industry owes so much, are forced to make such decisions. One day, I’ll write a separate article about this. It won’t be a flattering piece about the AM industry. Not at all.
Acquisitions, CEOs, Director changes, when are they going to understand this is not the need. If you can’t produce parts that meet manufacturing standards in critical applications that need specific specifications in material needs there is little to no future in manufacturing