SprintRay Inc. is an American technology company that develops and manufactures 3D printing hardware, software, and materials solutions for the dental market[2]. It was founded in 2015 by 2 Ph.D students at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, entering the dental market shortly after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2016 that raised over $400,000[3].
History
In 2016 SprintRay entered the dental sector with the release of the MoonRay S/D 3D printer, a desktop DLP printer that could use biocompatible photopolymer resin to 3D print dental applications such as occlusal guards, surgical guides, and dental models in-house. Since then, SprintRay has focused on developing new hardware, software, and material technologies in dental 3D printing.
In 2017, SprintRay entered the dental market with the release of the MoonRay S/D 3D printer[4].
In February 2019, SprintRay released the Pro95 3D printer[5], which featured a much larger build area, faster print times, and better accuracy.
In September 2020, SprintRay released the Pro55 3D printer, featuring improved accuracy over the Pro95, and the Pro Wash/Dry, a two-stage wash and drying system for 3D printed parts[6]
In May of 2022, SprintRay released the Pro95 S and Pro55 S 3D printers[7], which offered improved accuracy, connectivity, and smarter onboard computing.
In October of 2023, SprintRay launched the OnX Tough 2 resin, the first 3D printing resin FDA cleared for fixed, implant-supported dentures[8].
In April or 2024, SprintRay launched the Pro 2 3D printer[9] and Midas 3D printer[10], the first product to use digital press stereolithography[11].
Partnerships
SprintRay has formed various partnerships for distribution, In the United States, distribution partnerships include Benco Dental and Patterson Dental, and Henry Schein. In 2023, SprintRay entered into a distribution deal with Sinclair Dental for Canadian distribution[12]. In 2021, SprintRay announced a joint initiative with Usain Bolt[13] to establish Bolt Labs in Jamaica,[14] which uses 3D printing and advanced training to improve access to dental care in the region.[15]
After the announcement of the Midas 3D printer, SprintRay partnered with the Ivoclar Group to combine their expertise in 3D printing with Ivoclar's materials.[16]
Technology
SprintRay’s product line includes proprietary 3D printers, resins, software, design services, and accessories for the dental market. The company holds patents related to various aspects of 3D printing technology[17], including DPS, a novel printing method that uses hydrodynamic principles to print with highly viscous materials[18]. The company's other patents include systems for reducing separation forces in 3D printing,[19][20] multi-stage wash systems for vat polymerization-based 3D printing,[21] and methods for post-curing stereolithography-printed parts, such as the ProCure 2 system.[22][23] SprintRay's portfolio also includes design patents for components like post-curing chambers[24] and printer housing.[25]
Funding
In 2021, SprintRay secured $100 million in funding[26] from investors including SoftBank's Vision Fund 2 and G Square.
^US11654627B2, Zhang, Jing; Mansourighasri, Amirhossein & Bassir, Abdol Hossein, "System and method for three-dimensional printing", issued 2023-05-23
^US11548224B2, Mansouri, Amir; Tian, Huijian & Zhang, Jing et al., "Apparatus, system, and method for use in three-dimensional printing", issued 2023-01-10
^US11279089B2, Mansouri, Amir; Tian, Huijian & Ye, Shukun et al., "Multi-stage wash system for vat polymerization-based 3D printed parts", issued 2022-03-22
^US11884015B2, Mansouri, Amir; Patel, Aayush & Daniels, Angali E. et al., "System and method for facilitating separation of stereolithography 3D-printed objects from build platforms", issued 2024-01-30
^US20230339190A1, Mansouri, Amir; Bassir, Hossein & Patel, Aayush et al., "System and method for selectively post-curing parts printed with stereolithography additive manufacturing techniques", issued 2023-10-26
