Nikon
Develops and sells industrial metal additive manufacturing systems (PBF-LB and DED-LB) and integrated solutions for high-value manufacturing sectors like aerospace, automotive, and medical.
- CEO / Founder
- Yasuhiro Ohmura
- Team Size
- 5001-10000
- Stage
- Public
- Latest Round
- Post-IPO
Technology & Products
Key Products
NXG XII 600 (large-format PBF-LB system); NXG 600E; Laser Metal Deposition (LMD/DED-LB) systems; Integrated software and quality assurance solutions
Technological Advantage
Proprietary multi-laser technology and optical control systems enable industry-leading build speeds (e.g., NXG XII 600) and part density (exceeding 99.5%). The integration of in-situ process monitoring and metrology, derived from Nikon's semiconductor lithography expertise, provides a closed-loop quality assurance advantage that is protected by a broad patent portfolio. This optical-mechatronic integration creates a defensible moat that is difficult for pure-play AM hardware startups to replicate.
Patent position
Nikon filed 105 patent families in 2022–2024 versus 76 in 2019–2021, rising 38% while tracked AM filings in the same patent offices fell 10%. AMPulse analysis
- Filing momentum
- 105 families filed 2022–2024, 76 in 2019–2021 (+38%); all tracked AM filings in the same offices -10%
- Process mix, 2019–2021 → 2022–2024
- Powder bed fusion 76% → 79%Directed energy deposition 41% → 29%
- Focus, 2019–2021 → 2022–2024
- Materials 95% → 96%Equipment 96% → 93%Software 20% → 8%
- Filed in
- JP 40%US 25%EP 24%CN 20%WO 20%
- Named competitors, AM patent families
- EOS 185Velo3D 75GE Additive 219Concept Laser 106
224 AM patent families in total. Recent years are still being published, so read a filing change against the same-office figure.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides high-precision, large-format metal 3D printing systems that reduce lead times for complex components from months to weeks, enabling production of lightweight, high-performance parts with material savings of up to 70% compared to traditional subtractive methods.
How They Differentiate
Against EOS: Nikon's NXG systems offer significantly higher productivity (up to 20 lasers vs. typically 1-4) and larger build volumes for serial production. Against Velo3D: Competes on large-format PBF-LB but differentiates with a stronger heritage in integrated optical metrology and a dual-technology (PBF + DED) portfolio. Against GE Additive: More focused on open-platform, multi-laser PBF-LB systems versus GE's integrated engine supply chain model.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Large industrial manufacturers, aerospace & defense contractors, automotive OEMs, medical device companies, and contract manufacturers.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace & Defense; Automotive; Medical & Dental; Energy; Industrial Machinery
Competitors
EOS; Velo3D; GE Additive (Concept Laser & Arcam)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Nikon's Digital Manufacturing Business (housing AM) reported revenue of ¥18.2 billion (~$123M) for a period, representing 31.3% year-over-year growth. Nikon SLM Solutions AG reported record revenues of €150M in 2024.
Major Milestones
Acquisition of SLM Solutions AG (completed 2023); Launch of NXG XII 600 12-laser system; Achieved 1000th metal AM system installation milestone; Establishment of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Inc. as global AM HQ (2023)
Notable Customers
Bosch; Aerospace & defense OEMs (undisclosed per public sources); Automotive Tier 1 suppliers
Recent coverage of Nikon
AM patents
AM-relevant patents linked to this company.
- Patents
- 309
- Granted
- 69
- Families
- 224
Leading domains: process (303), material (289), equipment (288)
Filings by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 90 · 2021: 45
- POWDER CONTAINER FOR AN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS04370270 · EP
- Manufacturing three-dimensional workpiece by means of plurality of radiating elements121004283 · CN
- SHAPING SYSTEM AND SHAPING METHOD4467277 · EP
- Molding method and molding unit, processing system and processing method117601435 · CN
- ACOUSTO-OPTICAL LIGHT DEFLECTOR, LIGHT IRRADIATION DEVICE, ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DEVICE, LIGHT BEAM DEFLECTION METHOD, LIGHT BEAM IRRADIATION METHOD, AND PROCESSING METHOD2025181966 · WO