RP America

What RP America does

RP America is a full-service industrial 3D printing solutions provider founded in 2011 by Dan Terpstra and headquartered in New Sharon, Iowa. The company distributes and supports a multi-brand portfolio of additive manufacturing equipment covering stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), digital light processing (DLP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and selective laser melting (SLM) technologies, including UnionTech, RAPLAS, TPM3D, XYZprinting, and Eplus3D systems. In 2025, RP America launched its own branded SLA and SLS machines (RP 800, rp260, rp440), marking a transition from a service-and-distribution company to a hybrid OEM-distributor.

The company serves enterprise customers across aerospace, automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, casting, defense, and government sectors, with named relationships including PERIDOT, Merck, Linamar Corporation, Clow Valve Company, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, HARBEC, and US Army DEVCOM. RP America operates as the North American master distributor for Forward AM (formerly BASF 3D Printing Solutions) materials, distributing Somos stereolithography resins and Forward AM Ultrasint SLS powders across the US, Canada, and Mexico following BASF's regional exit. The company offers technology-agnostic consulting, open-materials platform support, and a contract 3D printed parts production service launched in 2024.

RP America's business model combines hardware sales (industrial 3D printers and consumables), recurring maintenance and service programs structured in three tiers (Comprehensive, Exclusive, Premier), software distribution (Materialise Magics, e-Stage, TetraShell), post-processing equipment (AMT vapor smoothing, RAMCO wash stations), and a contract parts production service. The company sells directly to enterprise customers across North America through a quote-based engagement model, with nationwide technical service coverage led by founder Dan Terpstra (President), Paul Anfinson (Executive Vice President), and Jeremy Vos (Sales Director).

Name

RP America

Legal name

RP America

Website

https://rpamerica.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RP America is a full-service industrial 3D printing solutions provider that distributes, services, and now manufactures multi-brand SLA, SLS, DLP, FDM, and SLM equipment and materials across North America, serving enterprise customers in aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and defense.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial 3D Printing Equipment

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (323), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Polymer 3D Printers (FDM/FFF, SLA/DLP/LCD, SLS, Material Jetting) (IMAAAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polymer Powders (SLS/MJF) (IMAAABAB), Service, Repair & Maintenance Contracts (Preventive Maintenance, Onsite Service, Extended Warranty) (IMAAAIAM), Polymer 3D Printing Service Bureaus (FDM/FFF, SLA/DLP, SLS/MJF) (IMAAADAA)

Keywords

• Industrial 3D printing
• Additive manufacturing equipment
• SLS printers
• SLA printers
• 3D printing materials

Headquarters

HQ city

New Sharon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial 3D Printer Sales: Sale of industrial-grade additive manufacturing equipment including SLA, SLS, DLP, FDM, and SLM printers from partner brands like UnionTech, RAPLAS, TPM3D, XYZprinting, and proprietary RP America branded machines.
2. 3D Printing Materials: Distribution of stereolithography resins (Somos product line), SLS powders (Forward AM Ultrasint line), and other printing materials. RP America serves as master distributor for Forward AM in North America.
3. Maintenance and Service Programs: Three-tier preventative maintenance programs (Comprehensive, Exclusive, Premier) offering scheduled maintenance visits, priority repair scheduling, parts coverage, and technical support. Service includes repair visits and unlimited phone/email support.
4. 3D Printed Parts Production: Custom parts printing service using SLA, SLS, DLP, and FDM technologies. Parts production department started in 2024 to meet customer needs for fast and reliable printed parts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RP America sells and services industrial 3D printing equipment, materials, and software for manufacturers across North America. The company distributes SLA, SLS, DLP, FDM, and SLM printers from multiple brands (UnionTech, Raplas, TPM3D, XYZprinting, Eplus3D) and launched its own RP America branded SLA and SLS machines in 2025. It also distributes Somos stereolithography resins and Forward AM SLS powders (as North American master distributor), provides Materialise build-preparation software, offers a tiered preventative maintenance program, and runs an in-house contract 3D parts printing service.

Product overview

RP America is a full-service industrial 3D printing solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of equipment, materials, software, and post-processing technologies. The company operates a multi-brand equipment strategy featuring proprietary RP America SLA and SLS printers alongside distributed brands including UnionTech (SLA, DLP), Raplas (SLA), TPM3D (SLS), XYZprinting (SLS), and Eplus3D (SLM metal). Supporting the equipment portfolio are Somos stereolithography resins and Forward AM SLS powders (as North American master distributor), Materialise Magics and e-Stage software for build preparation, and AMT vapor smoothing plus RAMCO wash stations for post-processing. The company provides tiered maintenance programs, parts production services, and nationwide technical support to serve aerospace, automotive, healthcare, casting, and manufacturing industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RP America SLA Printers Proprietary stereolithography 3D printers designed for industrial applications with open material compatibility and large build volumes up to the RP800 model, for manufacturers needing high-precision SLA production.
• RP America SLS Printers Proprietary selective laser sintering 3D printers including rp260 and rp440 models with high-speed scanning, advanced thermal management, and open polymer powder compatibility, for industrial SLS production.
• UnionTech Stereolithography (SLA) Printers Industrial stereolithography 3D printers including Pilot250, Pilot450, RSPro600, RSPro800, and RSPro1400 models for high-precision prototyping and production, distributed exclusively in the US by RP America.
• UnionTech DLP Printers Digital Light Processing 3D printers (Cute300, Cute380) using digital projector UV light source for high-resolution prints with smooth surface finishes, targeted at manufacturers needing fine-detail DLP production.
• Raplas SLA Printers Stereolithography printers (PR450, PR700) featuring dynamic focusing optics and variable layer thicknesses for manufacturing aids and industrial applications, distributed by RP America since 2019.
• TPM3D SLS Printers Industrial selective laser sintering printers including S260, S320, S360, S480, and S600DL models with high-temperature material compatibility and dual laser options, for production-grade SLS manufacturing.
• XYZprinting SLS Printers (MfgPro Series) Selective laser sintering printers (MfgPro230 xS, MfgPro236 xS) offering open-platform material compatibility and cost-effective production solutions, for manufacturers seeking entry to mid-range SLS production.
• Eplus3D SLM Metal Printers Metal additive manufacturing systems including EP-M150, EP-M300, EP-M400S, and other models for producing metal parts with precision and quality, for manufacturers requiring metal AM capability.
• Hummink HPCaP Systems High-resolution printing systems using microcapillary and capillary forces technology for micronic and sub-micronic precision manufacturing, including the Nazca model, for advanced electronics and micro-feature applications.
• AMT Post Pro Vapor Smoothing Chemical vapor smoothing equipment (SF100, SF50) for automated surface finishing of SLS, FDM, and MJF 3D printed parts to achieve injection-molded-like surface quality, sold as a standalone post-processing solution.
• Somos Stereolithography Resins Complete line of Somos stereolithography resins including WaterClear, WaterShed, NeXt, Taurus, Element, PerFORM, and other formulations distributed by RP America for industrial SLA applications.
• Forward AM SLS Materials Ultrasint SLS powders including PA11, PA11 Black, PA11 Black CF, TPU 88A, TPU 88A Black, and AP26 materials for selective laser sintering applications, distributed as North American master distributor.
• Materialise Magics Software Industry-leading additive manufacturing data preparation and build preparation software with modules for support generation, file conversion, nesting, simulation, and part structures, sold by RP America as a Platinum Authorized Reseller.
• 3D Printer Maintenance Programs Three-tier preventative maintenance programs (Comprehensive, Exclusive, Premier) offering scheduled maintenance visits, priority repair scheduling, parts coverage, and unlimited phone/email technical support for installed 3D printing equipment.
• 3D Printed Parts Service Contract manufacturing service producing custom 3D printed parts using SLA, SLS, FDM, and DLP technologies with materials including nylon, Somos resins, and engineering thermoplastics, for customers needing outsourced production.
• Used 3D Printers Inventory of previously-owned and refurbished 3D printing equipment including Viper S1, SL systems, UnionTech Pilot250, and custom vats for various printing technologies, offered as a resale channel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% weight reduction in trade show displays (400 lbs to 55 lbs)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Forward AMflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Forward AM (formerly BASF 3D Printing Solutions) partnered with RP America as master distributor in North America following BASF's decision to wind down its North American 3D printing business. RP America serves as the 'feet on the ground' to deliver support, technical expertise, and trusted solutions to customers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This collaboration ensures customers continue to receive high-quality products and services, combining Forward AM's world-class portfolio with RP America's on-the-ground service and support.
• DSM SomoscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2017RP America was awarded Somos distributorship in 2017 to distribute DSM Somos stereolithography materials. Somos is a leading provider of 3D printing materials known for products like WaterShed XC 11122, NeXt, and Taurus. RP America provides material selection advice, supply style files, equipment calibration, and switching support for customers.
• UnionTechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016UnionTech, the domestic China market leader in stereolithography, partnered with RP America as the US distributor for UnionTech Inc. equipment. UnionTech SL equipment is designed for cost effectiveness with exceptional aesthetics and smooth sidewalls. RP Sales America serves as the exclusive US distributor for UnionTech Inc. equipment.
• MaterialisecoreTechnology or IntegrationMaterialise is a Platinum Authorized Reseller partner providing 3D printing software solutions including Materialise Magics, e-Stage, and TetraShell. These products offer STL conversion, support structure generation, nesting algorithms, simulation capabilities, and internal part structure design.
• RAPLAScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRP America is an authorized distributor for RAPLAS SLA printers (PR 450 and PR 700 models). These printers feature dynamic focusing optics and ability to print in various layer thicknesses. RP America has been distributing RAPLAS since 2019.
• TPM3DcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic alliance with TPM3D, a leading innovator in 3D printing since 1999, providing SLS machines including S260, S320, S360, S480, and S600 models. RP America serves as direct supplier, mitigating supply chain risks for customers.
• XYZprintingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRP America is an authorized seller of XYZprinting's SLS printers including MfgPro230 xS and MfgPro236 xS. XYZprinting offers open-platform SLS technology with high-performance materials at approximately 20% of the cost of large-format SLS machines.
• AMT (Advanced Manufacturing Technologies)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRP America carries AMT PostPro vapor smoothing and depowdering equipment for post-processing SLS, MJF, and FDM parts. Products include SF100 (100L) and SF50 (50L) vapor smoothing systems, and DP/SB depowdering and shot blasting solutions.
• Eplus3DcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic alliance with Eplus3D for metal additive manufacturing capabilities. Eplus3D provides advanced metal AM systems (EP-M series) offering exceptional precision, build quality, and material compatibility including PEEK, titanium, and aluminum alloys.
• RePliFormminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RePliForm for metal coating services. RePliForm applies thin metal coatings (nickel) to 3D printed parts for finishing applications, such as coating the Merck mumps vaccine canister replica for museum display.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Materialise: Belgian 3D printing software and services company whose Magics software is also distributed by RP America. Materialise runs its own service bureau and software business, overlapping with RP America's software distribution and parts production service.
• Formlabs: Manufacturer of SLA and SLS 3D printers with proprietary materials targeting industrial and professional customers. Competes with RP America in the polymer printer and materials segment, particularly for small-to-mid industrial buyers.
• Protolabs: On-demand digital manufacturing service bureau offering 3D printing alongside CNC and injection molding. Directly competes with RP America's 2024-launched parts production service bureau business.
• Velo3D: Industrial metal AM systems maker targeting aerospace and defense — overlapping with RP America's Eplus3D metal printing distribution and government/aerospace customer footprint.
• Xometry: On-demand manufacturing marketplace with significant 3D printing service bureau capability. Competes with RP America's parts production service and offers similar SLA/SLS/DLP/FDM technology breadth.
• Markforged: Industrial 3D printer maker focused on metal and continuous-fiber composite printing with proprietary materials. Competes with RP America's metal AM (Eplus3D SLM) offerings and broader industrial customer base.

Emerging players

• BigRep: Industrial large-format FDM printer manufacturer serving similar industrial customers. Competes in the open-platform, large-format industrial printer niche that RP America targets with its own branded machines.

Broad incumbents

• 3D Systems: Long-standing industrial 3D printing OEM offering SLA, SLS, DLP, and metal AM systems with proprietary materials. Competes with RP America's equipment distribution and materials business across the same enterprise customer base.
• Stratasys: Global industrial 3D printer OEM and polymer materials manufacturer. Directly competes with RP America in polymer SLA/SLS/FDM equipment and materials distribution, but operates at far greater scale with proprietary locked-in ecosystems.
• EOS GmbH: Leading German industrial polymer and metal AM systems manufacturer. Overlaps with RP America's SLS polymer equipment offering and competes in aerospace, automotive, and industrial production use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RP America