Especially, its 3D printing systems for development, prototyping, and small series production have seen increased demand. BMF's high-precision and micro-resolution 3D printing technology, projection micro-stereolithography (μSL), pushes the boundaries of innovation in industries such as medical technology, electronics, optics, photonics, and life sciences. Meanwhile, over 600 BMF printing systems are operating at customer locations around the world.
New materials open up new application fields
In 2024 alone, BMF was able to develop and successfully market four new materials. These advanced materials include Figure 4® HI TEMP 300-AMB from 3D Systems, Ultracur3D 3280 from BASF, and the resins HTF and SR developed by BMF. They support the production of functional parts in industries such as aerospace, medical technology, electronics, and biotechnology. Each material compatible with BMF's microArch 3D printing systems meets specific requirements regarding accuracy, heat resistance, stability, and other properties.
Further momentum in the global dental market
In addition, BMF received 510(k) approval from the U.S. health authority FDA for its innovative UltraThineer™ material, which is used to manufacture the world's thinnest cosmetic dental veneers. This premium solution for cosmetic dentistry has continued to be offered by BMF in China and Japan, both directly to patients and through third parties. BMF also celebrated the opening of an UltraThineer™ lab at its U.S. headquarters in Maynard, Massachusetts, where the production technology for UltraThineer veneers is housed. To enable dentists to soon offer better veneers to their patients, BMF is collaborating with dental laboratories in the USA. The products are expected to be commercially available in the first half of 2025.
First printing system with combinable resolutions
With the microArch D1025, BMF has launched the industry's first 3D printer with combinable resolutions. As the first device in a new series based on BMF's patented P³SL technology, it can print either at a resolution of 10μm or 25μm. In hybrid mode, it combines both resolutions in the same print layer or in different layers. Customers in healthcare, electronics, life sciences, and photonics, who print ultra-high-resolution parts on a microscale, gain more flexibility and efficiency.
The micro-precise 3D printing technology from BMF has completely changed our approach to manufacturing connectors. While we were limited to tolerances of 5 thousandths with conventional methods, we have achieved tolerances of 1 to 2 thousandths with BMF printers,” says George Glatts, owner of Z-Axis Connector Company. “This has opened up new possibilities for compact, high-performance connectors. With high-temperature materials that withstand heating during electronics assembly, we can develop compact, innovative designs. With BMF, we have reduced time and costs while achieving precision and performance that exceed industry standards.
John Kawola, CEO of BMF, comments on BMF's market position as follows:
As we have said from the beginning, things in the world are getting smaller, and the smaller they get, the more difficult they are to manufacture. We meet our customers' needs for prototypes as well as for the production of parts that increasingly require higher precision. Furthermore, we use our own platform to develop new application fields and explore new business areas. We look forward to the future.
In 2024, BMF was included in the Inc. 5000 list, thanks to support from customers in various key industries with micro 3D printing technology. This list ranks forward-thinking companies based on their percentage revenue growth. BMF was also recognized by the Boston Business Journal as the fifth fastest-growing private company in Massachusetts.
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