Keene Village Plastics 3D printing filaments. Image via Keene Village Plastics.
22 Dec
Blog

Keene Village Plastics acquires 3D printing filament producer MakeShaper, expands attain to hobbyist market

Keene Village Plastics (KVP), an Ohio-based manufacturer of 3D printing filaments, has announced the acquisition of another US materials company MakeShaper.

With this acquisition, KVP will expand its reach to provide high quality filaments for the consumer and hobby market. The company stated:

“MakeShaper and KVP have a common denominator because all filaments are manufactured, tested and manufactured in the USA. [We’re] We are excited to continue to have the opportunity to serve MakeShaper customers with the same consistency the brand is known for. “

Keene Village Plastics 3D printing filaments. Image via Keene Village Plastics.

Specialized 3D printed filaments

With 15 years of experience in material development, KVP describes itself as a “one-stop shop for 3D printing materials”. In addition to its services for making specialty filaments in spools of up to 15 pounds, the company manufactures thermoplastic welding rods and spools. The Barberton, Ohio manufacturing facility offers fully bespoke extrusion lines combined with in-house tooling capabilities.

ABS, PETG, PEEK, nylon, PLA, polycarbonate and HIPS are some of the filaments made by KVP. MakeShaper, which was based in North Carolina prior to this acquisition, also specializes in making such 3D printing materials. The company consists of a small team of scientists, engineers and creative people.

MakeShaper focuses on clients such as Maker Labs, Hobbyists, Schools, and STEM and STEAM programs. CIP will not only support MakeShaper’s ongoing work, but will also access such customers to further serve consumers and manufacturers in desktop 3D printing.

In 2013, KVP, then known as Village Plastics, was taken over by 3D Systems. Last year, in addition to launching its new website, the company released Filament Koil, a spool-less filament tool that can make 0.75kg, 1kg, and 5lb spools of material.

The financial details of the acquisition of MakeShaper by KVP were not disclosed.

KVP's range of glow-in-the-dark PETG filaments. Photo via CIP.KVP’s range of glow-in-the-dark PETG filaments. Photo via CIP.

Find out about the latest developments in 3D printing. Subscribe to the 3D printing industry newsletter, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Do you want to advance your career in 3D printing? Looking for Talent? Sign up for jobs in the 3D printing industry.

Pictured image shows Keene Village Plastics 3D printing filaments. Image via Keene Village Plastics.

Source Link

Keene Village Plastics acquires 3D printing filament manufacturer MakeShaper
15 Dec
Blog

Keene Village Plastics acquires 3D printing filament producer MakeShaper

US plastics company, Keene Village Plastics (KVP) announced the acquisition of the North Carolina-based manufacturer of 3D printing filaments, MakeShaper.

Ohio-based KVP is a precision thermoplastic welding rod and 3D printing filament manufacturer with extensive manufacturing facilities capable of custom sizes, shapes, and profiles for extruded products.

KVP is already a manufacturer of engineering materials with all filaments made, tested and manufactured in the USA. According to KVP, the acquisition of MakeShaper will help the company expand its reach and provide high quality filaments for the consumer and hobbyist market.

In a press release, KVP said it looks forward to continuing MakeShaper’s work and serving customers at the level they expected.

KVP has been producing 3D printing filaments for several years. In 2013, the company was acquired by 3D Systems to manufacture filaments for its range of desktop plastic extrusion systems. After the cessation of the Cube machine and product line, Village Plastics was taken over by Keene Building Products in 2017.

Last year, as part of its N-Vire line, KVP launched a range of environmentally friendly materials that utilize 3D Printlife’s bioadditive technology and allow bacteria to consume the materials of bacteria when they are in compost or are in a landfill to convert them into CO2. In addition, a new bobbinless filament system has been introduced, with which filaments can be produced without a bobbin, as well as a range of flexible, heat and impact-resistant filaments and HIPS filaments.

Source Link