Carbon inks production partner deals with injection molders, urethane casters

Carbon’s 3D printing technology in action [Image courtesy of Carbon]

Carbon — the 3D printing technology company — said today that it has rapidly grown its Carbon Production Network to more than 20 companies after adding a host of injection molders and urethane casters.

New additions include Bright Plastics, Dependable Plastics, Diversified Plastics Inc., Element Packaging, Gallagher Corporation, Nicolet Plastics, Prattville Machine & Tool, and Resolution Medical.

“An important part of Carbon’s strategy is to empower manufacturers and injection molders with the many benefits of digital fabrication,” Dana McCallum, head of production partnerships at Carbon, said in a news release

“By being part of the Carbon Production Network, our partners leverage a truly scalable, complete digital manufacturing platform that offers a faster process and creates high-quality, end-use parts with similar properties as injection molding and urethane casting,” McCallum.

Carbon officials argue that their next-generation 3D printing technologies are an ideal alternative to injection molding when it comes to producing plastic parts for smaller, more customized jobs.

The Carbon Production Network is meant for design firms and contract manufacturers who have implemented Carbon’s technology and demonstrated advanced capabilities in additive manufacturing, design, production, urethane casting, machining and injection molding. The CPN membership includes training and certification, production engineering, marketing and sales.

Carbon (Redwood City, Calif.) has made significant strides since its 2013 founding, including a $200 million fundraising earlier this year that included Johnson & Johnson Innovation. Sold through a subscription, its 3D printing technology takes advantage of light and oxygen to rapidly produce products from a pool of resin. Company officials say Carbon’s thermally-activated polymers are able to match the properties of injection-molded urethanes or nylon after the printed parts are fired off. In addition, the company’s software can capture every detail of the manufacturing and operation process of the printer.