Xaar plc, the world leader in industrial inkjet technology, is delighted to announce its new Xaar 3D Centre in Nottingham, UK.  This new facility, which opens in January 2017, will deliver 3D printing services and equipment to OEMs, material suppliers and end users. Xaar is also delighted to announce its new 3D team, headed up by Professor Neil Hopkinson. The expansion of Xaar’s 3D business is a key part of the Company’s 2020 strategic vision.

Professor Hopkinson, the original inventor of the transformational High Speed Sintering technology (HSS), joined Xaar in March 2016 to develop the Company’s 3D business.  HSS is a revolutionary technology which uses inkjet printheads and infrared heaters to manufacture products layer by layer from polymer powder materials at much higher speeds than other additive manufacturing processes. This technology is therefore of interest to companies looking to use 3D in volume manufacturing.  

Since joining Xaar, Neil has been building his 3D team and earlier this year appointed project managers and 3D engineers who are now based at the Xaar 3D Centre.  The team in Nottingham will focus on development of materials and applications with an impressive range of global brand partners.  In addition, Neil’s team has this month been expanded to include an experienced group of talented engineers working in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The Xaar Copenhagen team will provide design and process development expertise to help the company’s partners commercialise HSS equipment, enhancing Xaar’s ability to secure further revenues in this fast growing sector.  

“I am delighted to confirm our investment in the Xaar 3D Centre in Nottingham and our 3D team including the new group in Copenhagen”, says Neil Hopkinson. “As we build our business in 3D it is vital that we have the in-house expertise to support our partners.  The addition of the team in Denmark further extends our capability”. 

“3D Printing is an important part of our strategic plan to grow total Group sales to ￡220 million by 2020”, comments Doug Edwards, Xaar’s CEO. “Our investments in the Nottingham and Copenhagen teams will significantly expand our capability in this sector, enabling us to achieve our growth plans”.