Tethon 3D announced the acquisition of several ceramic materials from Fortify.
Omaha-based Tethon 3D is perhaps the best-known producer of advanced ceramic resins for 3D printing. Today, they offer a huge range of options ranging from porcelain to mullite. They’ve been continuously adding new materials to their portfolio for years.
Fortify is a Massachusetts-based startup that’s been developing an unusual electromagnetic 3D printing process, Fluxprint, for several years now. We spoke with them back in 2019 and learned that Fluxprint uses magnetic fields to orient embedded fibres during printing.
Aside from a few investment raises, we hadn’t heard much from the company recently. However, their website seems to indicate that they have changed their focus from selling Fluxprint 3D printers to using that technology to produce highly advanced wireless RF antennae. A pivot of that type is common among startups that often have to “find their niche”, so this is unsurprising.
Now we learn that Tethon 3D, who have previously partnered with Fortify on several projects, has now acquired the rights to several materials from Fortify. It could be that if Fortify has pivoted, these particular materials might not fit into their future plans.
Tethon 3D explains:
“The portfolio includes patents and enabling technologies originally developed by 3DFortify, a venture-backed materials company known for its work in high-performance composite and dielectric materials. Tethon and Fortify previously collaborated as industry partners exploring advanced materials and next-generation manufacturing technologies.
The acquired technologies include innovations in anisotropic composite structures and advanced material processing methods that enable high-performance RF, microwave, and mmWave components. These materials support the precision fabrication of dielectric structures used in demanding applications, including radar systems, satellite communications, advanced electronics, and next-generation wireless infrastructure.
We don’t yet know the specific materials involved, so I asked Tethon 3D CEO Trent Allen, who explained:
“The transaction includes a portfolio of intellectual property related to advanced material architectures and processing methods developed by Fortify. This spans technologies applicable to high-performance composite and ceramic systems. The assets include a combination of patents and patent applications that we are in the process of evaluating within the Tethon materials platform. Tethon had previously developed the high alumina material as part of a partnership.”
This sounds like the majority of Fortify materials will now be owned by Tethon 3D. But where does that leave Fortify? Selling off key material IP is a serious step, so we should be watching carefully for news about Fortify.
Regardless of the Fortify changes, it looks like Tethon 3D has widened its materials portfolio once again.
Via Tethon 3D
