Nikon
Canvas Category OEM : Computer and Electronic
Nikon is one of the world’s leading suppliers of products and solutions based on advanced opto-electronics and precision technologies. Nikon is famous for its cameras and binoculars, but we make a whole range of other products too. For example, did you know we manufacture equipment used to fabricate the semiconductors found in your PC and smartphone? And that we make measuring instruments that detect microscopic defects in electronic components? Nikon technologies contribute to people’s lives in ways you may never have imagined.
Assembly Line
Bringing additive manufacturing into focus at Nikon
Nikon’s DNA is rooted in manufacturing and precision technology. I spent over 30 years of my career in semiconductor lithography, which involves some of the most complex machines in the world. Every two years, these machines must be updated to enable Moore’s Law, which drives semiconductor innovation. Given Nikon’s success in this area, we began considering the next stage of manufacturing, which we believe is digital manufacturing.
We identified additive manufacturing as a crucial component of this shift because it allows simpler, monolithic production of complex parts, replacing traditional methods like casting and forging. It offers benefits like weight reduction, lead time reduction and waste reduction.
Nikon’s involvement began organically with the development of direct energy deposition technology, which led to our initial foray into digital manufacturing. However, we soon realized that more growth was necessary, particularly in terms of adoption rates, which were still low. Only about 2% of metal parts that could be manufactured using additive manufacturing are actually being made that way.
We also realized that the industry needed the backing of a strong company with deep technology and manufacturing expertise, as well as stability. This led to our acquisition of SLM Solutions in July 2022, which I led. We integrated our technologies with SLM’s R&D and established the Advanced Manufacturing Business Unit, with its global headquarters in California. This unit aims to make digital manufacturing a pillar of growth for Nikon, in line with our Vision 2030 strategy, which envisions Nikon as a global company enabling seamless collaboration between humans and machines.
Nikon’s AI Reconstruction draws on Deep Learning to deliver faster, clearer CT scans
Nikon IMBU has released AI Reconstruction, an innovative 3D computed tomography (CT) reconstruction software solution powered by artificial intelligence that lifts the traditional trade-off between scan speed and image quality.
By applying Deep Learning techniques to enhance image quality, Nikon’s breakthrough technology enables rapid results and superior analysis. Traditionally, CT users have had to pick between fast, lower-quality scans or slow, higher-quality scans. If scans are quick, important details can be missed. If scans are slow, fewer items can be scanned.
AI Reconstruction lifts these limits through AI enhancement tailored to individual customer needs by Nikon’s Applications Engineering team. The Deep Learning modeling underpinning AI Reconstruction is trained to distinguish relevant information from the scan artifacts to effectively filter noise and improve clarity.
Ai Build raises $8.5M Series A funding for additive manufacturing software
Additive manufacturing software startup, Ai Build, has raised a Series A round of $8.5 million led by IQ Capital, bringing the company’s funding to $13.5 million. Ai Build will use the funding to accelerate its product roadmap, allowing it to onboard more customers with higher automation and AI capabilities. Investment will also enable the opening of a subsidiary in the US, and continued European expansion.
It partners with major manufacturing firms, including Boeing, to expand the use of additive manufacturing in large-scale industrial applications, such as specialised tooling and end-use components in aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors. Customer benefits include a 65 percent decrease in failed production attempts and a 90 percent increase in overall build efficiency.
Squeeze out registered with the Company register. Name changed to Nikon SLM Solutions AG
Nikon SLM Solutions AG (formerly “SLM Solutions Group AG” and in the following, the “Company”) was informed on September 1, 2023, that the resolution to transfer the shares of the minority shareholders to Nikon AM. AG as the main shareholder 3 has been registered, and thus became effective today. Concurrently, the merger of the Company with Nikon AM. AG (in the future operating under “Nikon SLM Solutions AG”), has been registered and thus also became effective today.
Behind the A.I. tech making BMW vehicle assembly more efficient
Nikon Announces Investment in Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Global, Inc.
Nikon Corporation (Nikon) today announced an investment in Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Global, Inc. Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Global, Inc. (HMT), an award-winning industry leader in additive manufacturing (AM), successfully created an approach that enables users to integrate additive tools onto any platform. This groundbreaking technology allows users to take full advantage of the manufacturing process by unifying multiple complementary technologies in one set up.
This latest investment will enable HMT and Nikon to leverage their combined expertise to accelerate innovation and expand the hybrid manufacturing landscape. Yuichi Shibazaki, Nikon Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Next Generation Project Division said, “This investment in HMT is the latest component of our Next Generation Project program to further industrialization of digital manufacturing. As an industry leader with demonstrated collaborative capabilities, HMT and its AMBIT™ portfolio are well-matched with Nikon technologies. We look forward to working with them as part of our commitment to creating value and advancing society through novel industries like hybrid manufacturing.”
Nikon Announces Investment in RF Solutions Provider Optisys, Inc.
Nikon Corporation (Nikon) today announced an investment in Optisys, Inc. (Optisys), a global industry leader in the design and manufacture of metal printed antennas for commercial and government applications where high performance, size, and weight are critical. The Optisys IP portfolio includes many proprietary antenna designs as well as revolutionary design improvements that support mass customization capabilities.
This investment will enable Nikon and Optisys to boost utilization of metal additive manufacturing for applications including high-performance antennas and other RF products. “This investment in Optisys is another central element of our Next Generation Project program to propel industrialization of digital manufacturing, “Yuichi Shibazaki, Nikon Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Next Generation Project Division said. “Optisys’ industry leadership and precision design and manufacturing capabilities are well-aligned with Nikon core technologies and our vision for the future. We look forward to partnering with their team to expand the additive manufacturing horizon.”
SLM and Nikon enter into Investment Agreement – Nikon to launch public takeover offer for SLM
SLM Solutions Group AG (“SLM Solutions”, “SLM” or the “Company”) and Nikon Corporation (“Nikon”) have entered into an Investment Agreement in relation to a voluntary public takeover offer that Nikon intends to launch for all outstanding shares of SLM at a cash consideration of EUR 20 per share.
With SLM becoming part of Nikon’s digital manufacturing strategy, SLM management is convinced this transaction will further enhance SLM’s ability to stay at the forefront of metal Additive Manufacturing and enhance its leadership position in delivering superior products and solutions to its customers.