Holo

Holo operates as a digital manufacturing company, providing additively manufactured parts as a service, a business model that distinguishes it from competitors focused on selling printing equipment. The company was founded in 2017 as a spin-out from the 3D software developer Autodesk by Arian Aghababaie, Brian Adzima, and Pierre Lin. The founding team's experience, including Arian Aghababaie's prior work in developing a DLP 3D printer that was acquired by Autodesk, shaped the company's direction to address market needs for high-volume, high-resolution component production.

Holo's core offering is its proprietary PureForm™ technology, a sinter-based additive manufacturing platform that utilizes a vat photopolymerization (VPP) process. This technology combines high-resolution digital light processing (DLP) with established metal injection molding (MIM) backend processes to produce fully dense metal parts. The process involves curing a proprietary slurry of metal powder and a photopolymer binder layer by layer, followed by debinding and sintering to create the final component. This method allows for the creation of intricate geometries and fine features, some less than 50 micrometers, which are challenging for traditional manufacturing techniques.

The company's business model centers on offering Parts-as-a-Service, lowering the barrier to entry for clients by eliminating the need for high capital expenditure on machinery and extensive training. Holo operates a production facility in Newark, California, capable of producing tens of thousands of parts per month. The company serves a diverse client base across industries such as medical, aerospace, consumer electronics, and semiconductors. Initial applications have focused on pure copper components, capitalizing on the material's thermal and electrical conductivity for products like cooling solutions in high-performance computing and electric vehicles, as well as RF antennas and heat exchangers. Holo has since expanded its material portfolio to include stainless steels and other metals. In March 2024, Greene Group Industries (GGI) acquired Holo's assets, integrating the PureForm technology into its existing metal manufacturing services.

Keywords: additive manufacturing, metal 3D printing, PureForm technology, vat photopolymerization, digital light processing, parts-as-a-service, metal injection molding, copper 3D printing, high-resolution manufacturing, sinter-based additive manufacturing, Autodesk spin-out, Arian Aghababaie, Hal Zarem, component manufacturing, rapid prototyping, volume production, semiconductor cooling, medical devices, aerospace components, Greene Group Industries