Kornit has acquired Voxel8, an American company whose ‘advanced 3D technology will enable deployment of unique, high-value decorative and functional applications for leading global brands.’
Specifically, Massachusetts-based Voxel8 provides a digital manufacturing system that it says ‘revolutionises how high-performance products are designed, manufactured and delivered to consumers across the globe.’ The company’s additive manufacturing technology for textiles allows for digital fabrication of functional features with zonal control of material properties, in addition to utilising high-performance elastomers adhering to inkjet technology.
‘Voxel8’s innovative technologies and talent will help us accelerate the execution of our 4.0 strategy to digitize sustainable, on-demand textile production,’ explained Kornit CEO Ronen Samuel. ‘With this advanced and proven 3D technology, we will disrupt the business of fashion, empowering completely new creative decorative concepts and never-before-seen functional textile applications, while exploring new lucrative opportunities in the functional apparel and footwear markets.’
Kobi Mann, Kornit’s chief technology officer, added, ‘By integrating Voxel8’s technology into Kornit’s product roadmap, we will be able to transform numerous market segments and verticals, accelerating our collective visions and technology advancements.
‘Voxel8 offers direct 3D print-on-part capabilities, advanced design software that can be easily integrated with any production floor software workflow, and versatile chemistry enabling on-the-fly formulation of high-performance elastomers to change the material properties of the resulting printed structures by multiple orders of magnitude. This means reflective, high-density, silicone and metallics, as well as compression elements for sports and therapeutics, protection elements like cushioning and impact resistance, and functionality applications like anti-slip, waterproofing, and other qualities combining form and function that are key to Kornit’s vision of digitizing production in every conceivable manner.’
Finally Fred von Gottberg, president and CEO of Voxel8, said, ‘Voxel8’s innovative and sustainable technology—tested by some of the world’s leading global fashion and footwear brands, such as Hush Puppies, which is part of Wolverine Worldwide, enables the digital creation of unique decorative and functional applications, while eliminating time and waste from the manufacturing process.
‘Voxel8 shares Kornit’s vision of transforming the textile industry and couldn’t be more excited to be part of the journey to build the operating system of sustainable fashion on demand. We look forward to working together to embed Voxel8’s technology into Kornit’s customer offerings, which will collectively provide endless possibilities of enhanced applications and solutions.’
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