Description
ExOne Company is a global manufacturer of industrial 3D printing systems, using binder jetting technology that 3D prints parts in metal, sand, ceramics and other powder particles using a bonding agent. Headquartered in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the firm has developed and produces a range of industrial 3D printing systems using binder jetting methods, a technology that was exclusively licensed in 1996 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and non-exclusively in 2003 from Generis GmbH.
History
ExOne started as a division within Extrude Hone, a provider of machining and automation systems founded by Larry Rhoades. In 1996, Extrude Hone became the exclusive licensee of patents for three-dimensional printing processes developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for binder jetting metal, ceramics and sand materials.
During the 1998-1999 period, Extrude Hone introduced a metal 3D printer, the ProMetal RTS-300, that used binder jetting technology. It launched additional metal 3D printers under the ProMetal brand name, including the R10 in 1999. In 2003, it entered the sand 3D printing market under a non-exclusive license with Generis GmbH, whose sand-printing binder jetting technology also contributed to the founding of VoxelJet.
In 2005, Rhoades sold Extrude Hone to Kennametal and transferred the assets of the 3D printing business to "The Ex One Company, LLC". In 2013, the company modified its name to The ExOne Company and completed an initial public offering. In 2019, John F. Hartner was named CEO.
