12-07-2021: Stratasys introduced the 3D printer Origin One Dental

The premier happened exactly one year after acquiring Origin

On December 7, 2021, Stratasys announced the launch of the Origin One Dental 3D printer—the second 3D printer resulting from Stratasys’ acquisition of Origin on December 9, 2020. The machine was based on the proprietary Programmable PhotoPolymerization (P3) method, utilizing a 4K LCD screen and UV backlighting. The device featured a build volume of 192 x 108 x 370 mm and supported materials from third-party suppliers.

Origin's history dates back to 2015, when, as a young startup, it introduced the P3 technology. This innovation enabled precise control of 3D printing parameters such as light, temperature, and force through closed-loop feedback software. The technology gained recognition across various industries, from footwear to medicine, with customers like ECCO. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Origin's printers were utilized for medical applications, including swabs, personal protective equipment, and ventilator splitters.

In December 2020, Stratasys announced the acquisition of Origin for up to $100 million (approximately $60 million up front and another $40 million as part of a three-year earn out) including cash and stock. The deal aimed to strengthen Stratasys' position in the mass production of polymer parts and expand its offerings in photopolymer technologies.

Following the acquisition, the Origin team became an integral part of Stratasys. By mid-2021, Origin One printers were available worldwide. The company collaborated with material partners such as BASF and Henkel.

The acquisition also allowed for a significant expansion of Stratasys' technology portfolio, which currently includes all key methods (extrusion of thermoplastics, photopolymerization of resins, sintering of polymer powders) with the exception of metal alloys.

Beyond the 3D printers themselves, the acquisition of Origin by Stratasys faced challenges. In 2023, former shareholders of Origin pursued arbitration, claiming that Stratasys had breached the acquisition agreement. They alleged misleading statements and unfair practices, including adjustments to revenue tracking dates. The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, aimed to block a merger with Desktop Metal (ultimately unsuccessful), citing concerns about asset dissipation.

Source: www.stratasys.com