CMET

What CMET does

CMET Inc. (シーメット株式会社) is a Yokohama-based Japanese manufacturer of industrial 3D printers founded in 1990, operating across two technology platforms: stereolithography (SLA) under the "Rapid Meister" brand and binder-jet sand casting under the "Sand Casting Meister" brand. The company delivers a one-stop solution encompassing in-house developed hardware, proprietary photopolymer resins (TSR series) and sand/binder materials (G-CCS, CM-6, dedicated furan binder), and its own digital scanner and control software (C-Rigil/C-Sirius). Flagship products include the SCM-1800 (world's fastest sand casting printer using a patented orthogonal stacking method, build size 1800×1000×750mm), the SCM-800II (Japan's first domestically-made sand casting printer with dual dry/wet sand support that reduces material cost to roughly 1/6), the large-format CSLA-9000 SLA printer, and the mid-size ATOMm-4000II, the last equipped with a proprietary MF recoater that reduces bubble entrainment by over 50%.

CMET serves automotive, construction machinery, aerospace, and industrial equipment manufacturers requiring sand casting molds and high-precision prototypes, plus service bureaus, precision engineering firms, and medical device manufacturers. Revenue is generated through direct enterprise sales of high-ticket hardware in Japan, complemented by recurring consumables (resins, sand, binder, cleaning agents) and on-site after-sales support throughout the equipment lifecycle. Pricing is opaque and quote-based, with no public price list; sales are driven by trade show presence (notably the Next-Generation 3D Printer Expo in Tokyo), a direct inquiry-driven website, and reservation-based showroom demonstrations at the company's R&D Center in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama.

The company was originally incorporated following the 1988 launch of Japan's first domestically-produced stereolithography system, was later known as NTT Data CMET Inc., and in 2001 integrated with Teijin Seiki's Optimage Division. Effective July 1, 2026, Tobata Group Co., Ltd. acquired 93.75% of CMET's shares, establishing CMET as a group company of the Tobata conglomerate. Leadership transitioned in March 2026 with Ooba Yoshikazu assuming the President and CEO role from predecessor Ishigami Shigetoshi. Minority shareholders include ADEKA Corporation (5.00%) and Yaskawa Holdings (1.25%).

Name

CMET

Legal name

シーメット株式会社 (CMET Inc.)

Website

https://cmet.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CMET Inc. is a Yokohama-based Japanese manufacturer of industrial SLA and binder-jet sand casting 3D printers, serving Japanese automotive, aerospace, and precision engineering customers with one-stop in-house hardware, proprietary resins, materials, and software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial 3D Printing Equipment

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Sand/Foundry & Mold 3D Printers (Sand Binder Jetting, Tooling Systems) (IMAAAAAE)

Keywords

• Industrial 3D printing
• Stereolithography systems
• Sand casting printers
• Additive manufacturing equipment
• Binder jetting systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kanagawa

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 3D Printer Hardware Sales: Sale of industrial SLA and sand casting 3D printer equipment including CSLA-9000, ATOMm-4000II, SCM-1800, and SCM-800II systems
2. Consumables and Materials: Proprietary resins (TSR series), sand materials (G-CCS, CM-6), binders, and cleaning agents for 3D printing operations
3. Technical Support and Maintenance Services: After-sales service including on-site support visits, maintenance, and technical assistance throughout the product lifecycle

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CMET manufactures and sells industrial stereolithography (SLA) and binder jet sand casting 3D printers, including the Rapid Meister CSLA-9000, ATOMm-4000II, Sand Casting Meister SCM-1800, and SCM-800II systems. The company develops its own photopolymer resins (TSR series), catalyst-coated and wet silica sands, binders, cleaning agents, and C-Rigil/C-Sirius control software, providing a one-stop hardware-plus-materials-plus-software solution for Japanese industrial manufacturers.

Product overview

CMET Inc. (シーメット株式会社) is a Japanese 3D printer manufacturer specializing in two main product lines: SLA (Stereolithography) systems and Sand Casting (Binder Jetting) systems. The SLA portfolio includes the Rapid Meister CSLA-9000 (large-format industrial, 900×700mm) and ATOMm-4000Ⅱ (mid-size, 400×400×400mm), both utilizing proprietary MF recoater technology and digital scanning systems. The sand casting line features the SCM-1800 (world's fastest, 1800×1000×750mm) and SCM-800Ⅱ (domestic first, supports both dry G-CCS and wet CM-6 sand). CMET develops its own photopolymer resins (TSR series including TSR-852, TSR-886) and sand materials (G-CCS, CM-6, dedicated binder), plus accessories like TSC-100 cleaning agent. The company provides complete one-stop solutions encompassing hardware, software, and materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rapid Meister: Industrial SLA (stereolithography) 3D printer product line including CSLA-9000 and ATOMm-4000Ⅱ models.
• Sand Casting Meister

Products and services

• Rapid Meister CSLA-9000 Industrial stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer with 900×700mm work area and 400mm Z-height. Features MF recoater to minimize bubble entrainment, new laser/scanner systems for approximately 15% faster layer time and improved resolution, and an over-slider door for easier part removal. Sold to Japanese industrial manufacturers and prototyping service bureaus.
• Rapid Meister ATOMm-4000II Mid-size industrial SLA 3D printer inheriting CSLA-9000 technology. Features 1500mW laser, MF recoater, high-precision scan system (approximately 15% resolution improvement), and intuitive C-Rigil/C-Sirius control software. Build size W400×D400×H400mm. Sold to industrial manufacturers and prototyping service bureaus needing precision SLA output in a smaller footprint.
• Sand Casting Meister SCM-1800 Large-format binder jet sand casting 3D printer featuring the patented orthogonal stacking method, achieving what the company describes as the world's fastest sand casting molding speed. Supports aluminum, cast steel, and cast iron casting; uses recyclable dry G-CCS sand with no heat treatment required after printing.
• Sand Casting Meister SCM-800II Domestic-first binder jetting sand casting 3D printer supporting both dry catalyst-coated sand (G-CCS) and wet silica sand (CM-6). Wet sand mode reduces material costs to approximately one-sixth of dry sand. Build size W800×D400×H400mm. Sold to Japanese foundries producing aluminum, cast steel, and cast iron prototypes and production parts.
• TSR-852 Photopolymer Resin CMET-developed milky white SLA photopolymer resin with high toughness. Non-hazardous/non-poisonous material optimized for pre-verification prototype models and fitting/assembly confirmation applications. Sold as a consumable for the company's SLA printers.
• TSR-886 Photopolymer Resin CMET-developed light yellow transparent SLA photopolymer resin, non-antimony and non-hazardous, balancing rigidity and toughness with excellent support removal and polishing properties. Used for fitting confirmation, design verification, visualization, and silicone molding masters.
• G-CCS Catalyst-Coated Sand High-performance artificial sand with acid catalyst coating for dry-state curing in SCM series sand casting 3D printers. Features high flowability, high heat resistance, low thermal expansion, high density, and high strength; uncured sand can be recycled.
• CM-6 Wet Silica Sand Two-component wet silica sand for the SCM-800II binder jetting printer. Cost-effective alternative to G-CCS at approximately one-sixth the material cost; users can mix additives themselves for further cost reduction.
• Dedicated Binder for Sand Casting 3D Printers Furan-based binder primarily composed of furfuryl alcohol derived from biomass resources (corn cobs). Formulated for inkjet printheads with low viscosity, low surface tension, and nitrogen-free composition; used with CMET sand casting systems.
• TSC-100 SLA Cleaning Agent Stereolithography-specific cleaning agent with high rinsability and volatility. Formulated from low-toxicity food-grade raw materials; non-compliant with Poisonous/Substance law, Organic Solvent regulation, PRTR, and Water Pollution Prevention Act.

Quantifiable outcome

• SCM-1800 achieves world's fastest sand casting printing speed through patented orthogonal stacking method
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered support and historical.

• 株式会社日本補助金・融資支援センター (Japan Subsidy and Finance Support Center)supportStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for supporting customers with government subsidy applications for 3D printer purchases. CMET refers customers to this partner for assistance with applications for manufacturing subsidies (ものづくり補助金) and new business entry subsidies, offering up to 2/3 subsidy coverage for equipment costs.
• 帝人製機株式会社 (Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.)historicalTechnology or IntegrationHistorical partnership: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd. sold the SOLIFORM stereolithography system starting in 1992, and in 2001 merged with Teijin's Opto-Image division to form CMET's predecessor entity.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ExOne (Desktop Metal): ExOne pioneered industrial sand binder jetting for foundries (now part of Desktop Metal), offering the S-Max and S-Print systems that directly compete with CMET's SCM-1800 and SCM-800II. Comparable in binder jetting technology for sand molds/cores, customer base (foundries), and consumables model (sand + binder), though with substantially broader scale and global distribution after the Desktop Metal acquisition.
• Voxeljet AG: German-headquartered manufacturer of industrial binder jetting 3D printers for sand casting molds and foundries, including the VX1000 and larger formats. Directly comparable to CMET's Sand Casting Meister line in target market (foundries), technology (binder jetting), and value proposition (eliminating wooden patterns, enabling complex undercuts). Voxeljet competes globally while CMET is Japan-only.
• Formlabs Inc. US-based manufacturer of SLA 3D printers (Form 3, Form 4 series) with proprietary resins, control software (PreForm), and a Razors-and-Blades consumables model that closely mirrors CMET's Rapid Meister + TSR resin strategy. Comparable in SLA technology, materials philosophy, and bundled offerings, though Formlabs is positioned more toward design/engineering offices while CMET targets industrial prototyping and casting master models.

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys Ltd. Global 3D printing incumbent offering FDM, PolyJet, SAF, and stereolithography-origin (Origin P-series) systems serving industrial prototyping and production. Comparable as a broad-line competitor with industrial SLA presence overlapping with CMET's Rapid Meister portfolio, plus a much larger global sales and service organization and consumables ecosystem that CMET lacks.
• EOS GmbH: German industrial additive manufacturing leader in metal DMLS (LPBF) and polymer SLS systems serving aerospace, automotive, and medical customers globally. Comparable as an established industrial 3D printing incumbent with strong foundry/manufacturing relationships, though EOS focuses on metal and polymer SLS rather than CMET's SLA + sand binder jetting specialty. Represents the kind of broad incumbent CMET would face if it expanded internationally.
• 3D Systems Corporation: Long-established US 3D printer manufacturer with a broad portfolio spanning SLA (projet/prox SLA systems), SLS, metal DMP, and bioprinting, serving prototyping and production customers globally. Comparable as a multi-technology incumbent offering industrial SLA systems overlapping with CMET's Rapid Meister line, but with substantially larger scale, broader geographic reach, and a multi-technology portfolio that CMET does not match.
• Desktop Metal, Inc. US-based publicly-listed metal and sand 3D printing company with binder jetting (ExOne), bound metal deposition, and metal DMP/CBF systems, plus the Shop System for production. Comparable as a multi-technology additive manufacturing incumbent including a sand binder jetting line (via ExOne) that directly overlaps with CMET's Sand Casting Meister portfolio, but operating at much greater scale and with global distribution.

Emerging players

• Sinterit Sp. z o.o. Polish manufacturer of benchtop SLS (selective laser sintering) 3D printers and proprietary powders (PA12, Flexa, etc.) used in industrial prototyping and small-batch production. Comparable to CMET in its industrial prototyping focus and bundled hardware-materials strategy, though operating in a different (SLS) technology category than CMET's SLA and sand binder jetting.
• Carbon, Inc. US-based manufacturer of proprietary CLIP/DLS resin 3D printers (M-series) used in industrial prototyping and production, with a strong consumables model. Comparable as a technology-driven SLA-class competitor with proprietary materials and software, targeting industrial customers; differentiated by a different polymerization mechanism (continuous liquid interface production) but competing for the same industrial prototyping wallet.

Regional players

• Sodick Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of precision EDM machines, machining centers, and industrial equipment with a long heritage in Japanese manufacturing. Comparable as a Japan-headquartered industrial equipment vendor serving domestic manufacturing customers with high-precision machines, similar to CMET's domestic Japanese focus and on-site support model, though Sodick operates in metalworking rather than additive manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cmet-inc-

Compliance1 record

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 CMET