# Desktop Metal
**Desktop Metal, Inc.** was an American additive manufacturing company founded in 2015 in [Waltham, Massachusetts](https://www.edgepedia.org/waltham-massachusetts), to make metal 3D printing accessible to engineers, designers, medical professionals, and manufacturers.[1](https://www.desktopmetal.com/about-us) It became best known for metal binder jetting systems, including the office-friendly Studio System, the Shop System for job shops, and the high-speed Production System, and it was acquired by Nano Dimension on April 2, 2025 before its subsidiary filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2025.[2](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Nano-Dimension-Completes-Acquisition-of-Desktop-Metal/default.aspx) • [3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1643303/000119312526134641/nndm-20251231.htm)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015, by leaders in advanced manufacturing, metallurgy, and robotics; co-founder Ely Sachs invented binder jetting at MIT in the late 1980s[1](https://www.desktopmetal.com/about-us) • [4](https://www.desktopmetal.com/resources/what-is-single-pass-jetting) |
| Signature process | Single Pass Jetting (SPJ), which consolidates all binder jetting steps into one carriage and completes a layer in as little as 3 seconds on the Production System P-1 and P-50[5](https://www.desktopmetal.com/uploads/2023web_DesktopMetal_UltimateGuidetoMetalBinderJetting.pdf) |
| Product range | Studio System (office/short runs), Shop System (800 mL/h deposition, 350×222×200 mm build volume), Production System, and the X-Series platform[6](https://learn.desktopmetal.com/studio-success-stories) • [7](https://jme.biam.ac.cn/EN/abstract/article/1001-4381/10607) • [8](https://www.desktopmetal.com/uploads/20240614-DM-Brand-Book_web.pdf) |
| ExOne acquisition | Completed November 12, 2021; $25.50 per ExOne share ($8.50 cash plus $17.00 in stock), a transaction value of $575 million[9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561627/000119312521243555/d214964d425.htm) |
| Stratasys merger | Announced May 2023 as an all-stock merger valued at $1.8 billion; Stratasys sent a notice of termination on September 28, 2023[10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlHLKkt5NrE) • [11](https://ir.desktopmetal.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001558370-24-013999/0001558370-24-013999.pdf) |
| Nano Dimension acquisition | Merger agreement July 2, 2024 at $5.50 per share (adjustable to $4.07); completed April 2, 2025 at $179.3 million, or $5.295 per share[12](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2024/Nano-Dimension-to-Acquire-Desktop-Metal-Creating-a-Leader-in-Additive-Manufacturing/default.aspx) • [2](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Nano-Dimension-Completes-Acquisition-of-Desktop-Metal/default.aspx) |
| End of operations | Desktop Metal, as a Nano Dimension subsidiary, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2025; Nano Dimension classified the business as discontinued operations to be wound down[3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1643303/000119312526134641/nndm-20251231.htm) |
## Technology and products
[Binder jetting](https://www.edgepedia.org/binder-jetting) is a metal 3D printing process in which a print head deposits a liquid binder onto layers of metal powder; the printed "green" part is then sintered (fused into solid metal by heating below melting point) to full density. The process traces to work by [Ely Sachs](https://www.edgepedia.org/emanuel-michael-sachs) at MIT in the late 1980s, and Sachs later became one of Desktop Metal's founders.[4](https://www.desktopmetal.com/resources/what-is-single-pass-jetting) Because it is tool-less, metal binder jetting offers more complex designs, assembly consolidation, mass customization, shorter lead times, flexible volumes, localized manufacturing, and digital inventory compared with conventional manufacturing.[13](https://www.abiresearch.com/market-research/insight/7779078-key-selection-criteria-for-metal-binder-je)
**Single Pass Jetting.** Desktop Metal's SPJ system consolidates all the steps of binder jetting, spreading powder, jetting binder, and drying (with no separate curing step), into a single carriage that sweeps the powder bed, eliminating wasted motion and producing completed layers in seconds; on the Production System P-1 and P-50 each layer completes in as little as 3 seconds, and the carriage prints bi-directionally.[4](https://www.desktopmetal.com/resources/what-is-single-pass-jetting) • [5](https://www.desktopmetal.com/uploads/2023web_DesktopMetal_UltimateGuidetoMetalBinderJetting.pdf) • [14](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10459285/) The Production System carries a ±2.0% dimensional tolerance.[15](https://all3dp.com/1/betting-on-binder-jetting-for-production-additive-manufacturing/)
**Product tiers.** The Studio System targeted office environments and short-run production; one case study describes a shop that 3D prints stainless steel fixtures to eliminate the lead time and design limits of conventional tooling, and still uses the office-friendly system for one-off and short-run parts.[6](https://learn.desktopmetal.com/studio-success-stories) The Shop System, aimed at job shops, deposits 800 mL of material per hour within a 350×222×200 mm build envelope at 50–100 µm layer thickness.[7](https://jme.biam.ac.cn/EN/abstract/article/1001-4381/10607) Azoth, an [Ann Arbor, Michigan](https://www.edgepedia.org/ann-arbor-michigan), company focused on sinter-based additive manufacturing for mass production, uses the Shop System for high-volume printing of end-use metal parts.[16](https://www.desktopmetal.com/resources/azoth-shop-system-binderjet) After the ExOne acquisition, the X-Series binder jetting platform allowed customers such as DSB Technologies to scale applications from development to serial production.[8](https://www.desktopmetal.com/uploads/20240614-DM-Brand-Book_web.pdf) The company's 2023 earnings presentation described the X160 Pro as having the largest metal binder jet build envelope.[17](https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_10ced8b4eb8820cd36492dd57fc826af/desktopmetal/db/858/7584/pdf/DM_4Q-23_Earnings_Presentation_v04_3.14.24_230PM_-_Final_to_Post.pdf)
## The ExOne acquisition
On November 12, 2021, Desktop Metal completed its acquisition of The ExOne Company, its closest rival in metal binder jetting, under a merger agreement dated August 11, 2021.[9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561627/000119312521243555/d214964d425.htm) ExOne shareholders received $8.50 in cash and $17.00 in Desktop Metal stock per share, a total of $25.50 per share and a transaction value of $575 million, a 47.6% premium to ExOne's closing price on August 11, 2021.[9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561627/000119312521243555/d214964d425.htm) The deal transferred ExOne's metal binder jet technology and patented materials to Desktop Metal, and founder and CEO Ric Fulop called it a landmark moment that strengthened the company's ability to accelerate adoption of what it called "AM 2.0".[15](https://all3dp.com/1/betting-on-binder-jetting-for-production-additive-manufacturing/) • [18](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1754820/000110465921138222/tm2132753d1_ex99-1.htm)
## Competition in metal binder jetting
Industry analysis in the late 2010s listed Desktop Metal, Digital Metal, ExOne, GE Additive, and HP among the companies that had commercialized or announced production-focused metal binder jetting technology.[13](https://www.abiresearch.com/market-research/insight/7779078-key-selection-criteria-for-metal-binder-je) Markforged acquired Digital Metal in July 2022, leaving Desktop Metal, Digital Metal (under Markforged), and HP as the main competitors in the space.[19](https://www.3dprintedparts.com/2022/11/30/binder-jetting-the-future-of-production-metal-printing/) A comparative study of [H13 tool steel](https://www.edgepedia.org/h13-tool-steel) printing placed binder jetting and fused deposition-style metal methods (including Desktop Metal's FDMS) in a higher material cost band, 100–700 EUR/kg, than laser powder bed fusion at 60–80 EUR/kg or directed energy deposition at 25–40 EUR/kg.[20](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12692884/)
## The Stratasys merger and its termination
In May 2023, Desktop Metal and [Stratasys](https://www.edgepedia.org/stratasys), an Israeli 3D printing company traded on NASDAQ as SSYS, announced an all-stock merger valued at $1.8 billion, with the combined company expected to generate $1.1 billion in 2025 revenue, $50 million in annual cost synergies, and an additional $50 million in revenue by 2025.[10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlHLKkt5NrE) The merger did not close: on September 28, 2023, Stratasys sent Desktop Metal a notice of termination of the Stratasys Merger Agreement.[11](https://ir.desktopmetal.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001558370-24-013999/0001558370-24-013999.pdf)
## Acquisition by Nano Dimension and bankruptcy
On July 2, 2024, Desktop Metal entered into a merger agreement under which Nano Dimension Ltd., an Israeli digital manufacturing company, would acquire all outstanding Desktop Metal shares in an all-cash transaction at $5.50 per share, subject to possible downward adjustments to $4.07 per share.[12](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2024/Nano-Dimension-to-Acquire-Desktop-Metal-Creating-a-Leader-in-Additive-Manufacturing/default.aspx)
The acquisition closed on April 2, 2025, valued at $179.3 million, or $5.295 per share, under a new Nano Dimension board and management team from the one that signed the merger agreement in July 2024; Nano [Dimension](https://www.edgepedia.org/dimension) said integration plans and financial outlook would follow a comprehensive strategic review.[2](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Nano-Dimension-Completes-Acquisition-of-Desktop-Metal/default.aspx) The combined company reported preliminary, unaudited 2024 revenue of over $200 million.[2](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Nano-Dimension-Completes-Acquisition-of-Desktop-Metal/default.aspx)
**Bankruptcy.** In July 2025, Desktop Metal, Inc., by then a subsidiary of Nano Dimension, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Nano Dimension's 2025 annual report states that Markforged and Desktop Metal, its two recent acquisitions, both have a history of losses, and that the company concluded the wind-down and disposal of the Desktop Metal business would not result in material income tax consequences, with the business treated as discontinued operations.[3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1643303/000119312526134641/nndm-20251231.htm)
## References
1. [About Desktop Metal, Desktop Metal](https://www.desktopmetal.com/about-us)
2. [Nano Dimension Completes Acquisition of Desktop Metal, April 2, 2025](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Nano-Dimension-Completes-Acquisition-of-Desktop-Metal/default.aspx)
3. [Nano Dimension Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1643303/000119312526134641/nndm-20251231.htm)
4. [What is Single Pass Jetting?, Desktop Metal](https://www.desktopmetal.com/resources/what-is-single-pass-jetting)
5. [The Ultimate Guide to Laser-Free Metal 3D Printing, Desktop Metal (PDF)](https://www.desktopmetal.com/uploads/2023web_DesktopMetal_UltimateGuidetoMetalBinderJetting.pdf)
6. [Studio System Case Studies, Desktop Metal](https://learn.desktopmetal.com/studio-success-stories)
7. [Key technology of binder jet 3D printing, Journal of Mechanical Engineering (BIAM)](https://jme.biam.ac.cn/EN/abstract/article/1001-4381/10607)
8. [Metal Success Stories, Desktop Metal (PDF)](https://www.desktopmetal.com/uploads/20240614-DM-Brand-Book_web.pdf)
9. [Desktop Metal 424B3, ExOne merger completion, SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561627/000119312521243555/d214964d425.htm)
10. [Stratasys and Desktop Metal Announce Merger, Green Stock News (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlHLKkt5NrE)
11. [Desktop Metal SEC filing, Stratasys merger termination notice](https://ir.desktopmetal.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001558370-24-013999/0001558370-24-013999.pdf)
12. [Nano Dimension to Acquire Desktop Metal, July 3, 2024](https://investors.nano-di.com/press-releases/news-details/2024/Nano-Dimension-to-Acquire-Desktop-Metal-Creating-a-Leader-in-Additive-Manufacturing/default.aspx)
13. [Key Selection Criteria for Metal Binder Jetting, ABI Research](https://www.abiresearch.com/market-research/insight/7779078-key-selection-criteria-for-metal-binder-je)
14. [Material Jetting of Copper and Tungsten review, PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10459285/)
15. [Binder Jetting 3D Printing – The Complete Guide, All3DP Pro](https://all3dp.com/1/betting-on-binder-jetting-for-production-additive-manufacturing/)
16. [Azoth Customer Story, Desktop Metal](https://www.desktopmetal.com/resources/azoth-shop-system-binderjet)
17. [Desktop Metal Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Presentation (PDF)](https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_10ced8b4eb8820cd36492dd57fc826af/desktopmetal/db/858/7584/pdf/DM_4Q-23_Earnings_Presentation_v04_3.14.24_230PM_-_Final_to_Post.pdf)
18. [Desktop Metal/ExOne acquisition press release, SEC EDGAR exhibit 99.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1754820/000110465921138222/tm2132753d1_ex99-1.htm)
19. [Binder Jetting: The Future of Production Metal Printing, 3D Printed Parts](https://www.3dprintedparts.com/2022/11/30/binder-jetting-the-future-of-production-metal-printing/)
20. [Comparative Study of Different Additive Manufacturing Methods for H13 Tool Steel, PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12692884/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Engineering and manufacturing › Manufacturing industries and companies › Heavy machinery and industrial equipment › Welding and additive manufacturing*
*Initially written Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license