Chicago-based ERA Industries has acquired i3DMFG, a metal 3D printing service provider based in Oregon. Founded in 1982, ERA Industries is a contract manufacturer specializing in precision machining and assemblies for the aerospace, military, medical, semiconductor, and transportation industries.
Over its 40+ year history of precision manufacturing, ERA has become a go-to production partner for some of the largest, most dynamic and advanced companies in the world. I3D serves as the second add-on acquisition in 2023, following the addition of Gen El Mec (“GEM”), which closed in August. Headquartered in Oxford, CT and like ERA, GEM brought with it decades of precision manufacturing experience, talent and capabilities, with a historical focus in support of customers within the semiconductor end-market in addition to defense, aerospace and optics. I3D’s partnership with these counterparts will help to create value for current I3D customers, as well as ERA/GEM customers.
I3D will continue to operate as a distinct business unit within the platform for the foreseeable future, and the team at I3D will continue to drive the organization forward as part of this larger platform. L Squared Capital Partners is the financial sponsor supporting this rapid expansion of the ERA platform and has signaled strong intentions of this M&A agenda continuing.
i3DMFG opened in 2013 and started with one EOS M280 DMLS machine, and has grown to 12 machines including 2 EOS M400.4 production DMLS machines and the newest addition, the EOS M300.4. This makes the Oregon company a highly specialized provider of metal additive manufacturing services via Direct Metal Laser Solidification (DMLS). The company’s expertise in metal 3D printing has progressively evolved beyond rapid prototyping into production parts. Customers include companies from industries such as aerospace, UAV/UAS, defense, medical devices, oil & gas, energy, and automotive.
Because of its unique expertise, i3DMFG has contributed to advancements in DMLS metal powder development, process refinement, and production applications as the North America EOS MPA (Material Process Applications) site partner. The company has invested in tools and partnerships that allowed it to create custom metal powders and the corresponding computer programs (parameter sets).
i3DMFG uses DMLS machines with 20- to 60-micron powders and 400W lasers to fuse micro-layers of fine metal together at specific points directed by a 3D Solidworks design file to produce production parts. DMLS parts are typically characterized as having strength, hardness and durability that is, at the least, comparable to cast or forged parts in a comparable metal.
