Denso Invests in Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology to Accelerate Development

Denso Corp., a leading global mobility supplier with its North American headquarters in Southfield, has invested in Seurat Technologies of Massachusetts, participating in its area printing technology to speed up its manufacturing production rates.
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Denso has invested in Seurat Technologies to advance its area printing technology that speeds up manufacturing production rates. // Courtesy of Seurat Technologies
Denso has invested in Seurat Technologies to advance its area printing technology that speeds up manufacturing production rates. // Courtesy of Seurat Technologies

Denso Corp., a leading global mobility supplier with its North American headquarters in Southfield, has invested in Seurat Technologies of Massachusetts, participating in its area printing technology to speed up its manufacturing production rates.

“Denso is always looking to stay on top of the latest manufacturing processes and technology so we can deliver for our customers. Working with Seurat will help us continue that,” says Raja Shembekar, vice president of Denso’s North America Production Innovation Center. “Seurat’s area printing technology is a breakthrough, one that dramatically accelerates additive manufacturing production rates. We look forward to helping them develop it further.”

Shembekar says Seurat’s area printing technology focuses 2 million points of laser light on a bed on metal powder, each point individually adjustable for power and duration, to create full-melted net-shape metal components.

He says the process guarantees high quality and resolution for mass production of metal components across all industries, including automotive. For a supplier like Denso, this solution could cut production times and improve its ability to quickly support customers’ shifting requirements.

“We are pleased to have Denso participate in our Series B round, but more than that, are excited by how they could help propel our technology forward,” says James DeMuth, co-founder and CEO of Seurat Technologies. “Denso’s deep understanding of what large-scale manufacturers need and what makes them successful will be vital as we commercialize our Area Printing technology.”

Besides automotive applications, the process can be applied to consumer technology due to its ability to produce at quantity and scale in extremely small sizes. Industrial technology could also benefit because it eliminates the spatter and soot typically generated by full-melt additive manufacturing processes.

The announcement follows Denso highlighting environmentally friendly concepts are guiding the company’s technology development in its year end report. The same principles will inform its work with Seurat and help the company achieve its Long-term policy by 2030.

“The investment in Seurat continues to demonstrate Denso’s commitment to establish collaborative partnerships with startups,” says Tony Cannestra, director of corporate ventures at Denso. “Such partnerships have enabled Denso to aggressively pursue the discovery and development of new advanced technologies that deliver valuable benefits to Denso and our customers.”

Denso is a global mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today with its global headquarters in Kariya, Japan. Learn more here.