Xerox’sequipment financing business has agreed to supportBlack Buffalo 3D’sefforts to accelerate the adoption of its construction 3D printing portfolio.
Recently rebrandedFITTLE,施乐公司的金融服务部门专门从事helping firms adapt to market conditions and grow, while identifying opportunities for its parent company to expand into new areas. As part of a newly-signed collaboration deal, the business is now set to help Black Buffalo 3D’s technologies gain traction in construction, by offering to finance projects in which they can be deployed.
“This partnership just makes good sense, and we are thrilled for our customers,” added Tim Murphy, President of Black Buffalo 3D Finance. “It’s the convergence of ConTech and FinTech, which now enables construction firms and contractors to solve the affordable housing crisis faster, more efficiently, and with manageable monthly payments instead of massive upfront costs.”
黑色布法罗3D的Nexcon技术
Based in Pennsylvania, Black Buffalo 3D manufactures construction 3D printers that are designed to be rented out on a ‘pay-per-print’ basis. The company fulfills such orders using its proprietary NEXCON gantry-mounted systems. These units feature a modular track system, which allows users to customize their print area, meet project-specific requirements and scale to realize large community builds.
Black Buffalo 3D’s NEXCON machines also incorporate an open hopper design, thus providing users with a direct line of sight for inspection, while its print speed of 9.8 inches per second matches theOccupational Safety and Health Administrationlimit, and enables the creation of 1,000 sq. foot structures in under 20 hours.
这些好处已经使黑布法罗3D选择了提供大规模住房项目，例如Alquist 3D的计划3D打印200房屋。建造这些建筑物是为了满足普拉斯基不断增长的劳动力需求，普拉斯基是弗吉尼亚州新河谷的城市，这是美国发展方面最快的地区之一。
Xerox进一步倾向于AM？
Previously known as Xerox Financial Services (XFS), FITTLE is essentially a financing arm of Xerox that’s dedicated to helping back any company seeking to procure equipment. The business’ funding isn’t just aimed towards those working in construction, and its offerings are designed to support partners in the acquisition of everything from IT Services, software and audio visual gear, to security hardware.
As well as equipment leasing and financing programs, FITTLE also offers partner leasing, deal channel programs and support services, but its partnership with Black Buffalo 3D is set to focus mainly on the former. Through what FITTLE terms “expansive financing offerings,” the companies aim to make NEXCON 3D printers as easily adoptable as possible to those seeking out new construction technologies.
Fittle Fittle总裁Nicole Torraco表示：“作为全球创新业务融资解决方案的全球提供商，Fittle在该公司的变革时期内有很好的支持，可以支持Black Buffalo 3D的增长。”“我们期待在公司继续破坏建筑行业时建立强大而可持续的伙伴关系。”
The move also signals a deepening of Xerox’s ties to the 3D printing industry. While it has traditionally traded in 2D rather than 3D printing,Xerox unveiled a roadmap to “participate” in 3D printingback in 2018. In the following months,Xerox acquired Vader Systems, a liquid metal jet 3D printer manufacturer, before making itsFormnext2019年首次亮相。
自那以后，施乐已经取消了购买惠普的计划相反，投资其首次亮相3D打印机Elemx。在过去的18个月中，Naval Postgraduate School has acquired an ElemXfor R&D, whileVertex Manufacturing has installed a Xerox 3D printer出于工业生产目的。但是，通过其小支架，施乐现在似乎正在朝着新的方向扩展其3D打印兴趣。
Investing in concrete 3D printing
Though the technology hasn’t quite disrupted the construction sector just yet, it’s potential to do so has begun to attract a significant investment in concrete 3D printing firms. During May 2022,GE的wind turbine manufacturing arm,GE可再生能源, invested in COBOD，据说这是一项协议，它为其提供了更大的访问该公司机器的访问权限。
在更大范围内图标又筹集了1.85亿美元in February 2022, in a deal that saw its valuation top the $2 billion mark. The firm has previously pledged to use any funding raised to scale its capacity and grow its team of engineers, architects and operational leaders, with the aim of “bringing housing and construction into the modern world.”
Elsewhere, the美国能源部已发行$39 million construction 3D printing grant, designed to support the technology’s development. Of the 18 projects to receive a share of this funding, those atTexas A&M Universityand the宾夕法尼亚大学are attempting to make particularly bold advances, with one developing a ‘hempcrete’ material and the other a carbon-absorbing floor.
要了解最新的3D印刷新闻，请不要忘记订阅3D打印行业newsletter或跟随我们推特或喜欢我们的页面Facebook。
For a deeper dive into additive manufacturing, you can now subscribe to ourYouTube频道，包括讨论，汇报和3D打印进程的镜头。
Are you looking for a job in the additive manufacturing industry? Visit3D Printing Jobsfor a selection of roles in the industry.
特色图显示了黑色布法罗3D的Nexcon Construction 3D打印机。通过黑色水牛3D图像。
