Why is almost no one writing about Nexa3D?
The Atomic Layers: S5E23 (00139)
Atomic Layer of the Day:
Three days ago, Nexa3D released a statement in an exceptionally vague style, effectively announcing the end of its operations. Both I and
from VoxelMatters were the first to break the news. Shortly after, the German portal 3Druck.com (along with its English version, 3Printr.com) followed suit, and the next day, Madeleine Prior from 3DNatives included it in a roundup article in #3DExpress.And so far, no one else has done the same.
As of now (December 23, 2024, 06:30 PM CET), the following outlets have yet to publish anything about it:
3DPrint.com
3DPrinting.com
3D Printing Industry
3D Adept Media
ALL3DP
Fabbaloo
TCT Magazine.
It could be argued that Nexa3D chose a very specific time for their announcement—Friday before a weekend, four days before Christmas. Understandably, not everyone has the time to quickly write up such articles.
After all, it’s just 3D printing; why even bother, right?
I could leave it at that, but over the weekend, I had a conversation on LinkedIn with someone familiar with Nexa3D's situation. The person asked me why nobody wrote about their imminent collapse earlier, even though it had been known for months they were sinking. And why, apart from my Friday article, no one else detailed the toxic atmosphere and numerous irregularities at Nexa3D—facts that were an open secret.
I truthfully replied that I only found out about it in late summer and spent following months piecing together scattered information. However, for someone like me, based in Poland—a country on the other side of the planet than California—companies like Nexa3D, and especially its subsidiary Essentium, feel rather exotic.
I knew Nexa3D reasonably well because they had a strong, effective distributor in Poland who sold several of their machines. But Essentium? That was an “internet company” to me. I knew almost nothing about them, and their financial troubles didn’t resonate with me—just as Americans or Chinese would likely feel indifferent about the struggles of a Polish company like Sygnis or Zmorph.
I also explained that each AM media outlet has a distinct area of focus. For example, VoxelMatters is strictly news-oriented and focuses on market developments. ALL3DP, now the largest 3D printing portal globally, is more likely to report on what to print for your Christmas tree on a Chinese 3D printer than delve into serious industry topics.
As for the rest, well… Something seems off with 3D Printing Industry lately. For months, they’ve been publishing news with significant delays. Occasionally, they come through with a major story (like the Forward AM insolvency or the VoxelDance Formnext saga), but most of the time, they report on events a week late. Like they publish on Monday what have happened on last Tuesday.
That leaves 3DPrint.com, which stands out as the only outlet tackling challenging and controversial topics. Over the years, Michael Molitch-Hou, Joris Peels, and Matt Kremenetsky have revealed vital information. This year they delivered for example crucial news about Velo3D, Desktop Metal, Markforged, and Nano Dimension.
“Maybe they’re preparing something big,” I said, “maybe Michael is writing a follow-up to his famous Avi Reichental article?”
To which the person I was speaking with replied:
“Michael wrote the definitive Avi profile before Nexa3D. But all recent pieces from 3DPrint.com have been soft and largely PR fluff. It makes me wonder—did Avi sue or threaten them? I’ve been amazed at how Nexa3D kept repetitive bad news so quiet.”
As I mentioned earlier, this conversation happened over the weekend. Now it’s Monday, and still, nothing has been published. I doubt anything will appear on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day. So when? Before New Year’s Eve? After the New Year?
If this is how current news in the AM industry is being reported, don’t be surprised at the state of the industry itself.
“How could X burn through a billion dollars? Didn’t anyone see it coming?”
Well, maybe someone did, but didn’t write about it. After all, the inconvenient truths about Nexa3D have, so far, been reported only by me—some guy from Poland—not California or even the U.S.
So, please, don’t be surprised that it is as it is...
Atomic Layer from the Past:
12-23-2019: Carl Deckard—pioneer of 3D printing and inventor of SLS technology—passed away.
News & Gossip:
Of course, if any of the portals I mentioned publishes a truly good, insightful, and honest article about Nexa3D, I’ll be the first to feature it in this newsletter. I’ve never had an issue admitting my mistakes—if I’ve made any, that is.
I know this story is few months old, but I’ve learned about it just today. Take a look at this gigantic, 3D printed robot made by Kings3D. I mean, we - The Western AM People - are living in the Middle Ages compared to them…
If you feel bored, because someone else is preparing Christmas Eve for you (or you went away for the holidays and are spending it in a fancy guesthouse), I encourage you to read my latest article on VoxelMatters about bridge manufacturing.
I hope you stay on this story. Within 2 hours of receiving the email message from Nexa3D regarding the "scale back", a Google search resulted in your post and the story from VoxelMatters. It wasn't until the following day that a few additional outlets mentioned it. The industry needs this type of unbiased scrutiny. Well done.