BMF
BMF (Boston Micro Fabrication) is a precision micro-scale 3D printing company that sells proprietary PµSL-based microArch printers, consumable resins and ceramics, contract printing services, and end-products like ultra-thin zirconia dental veneers to enterprise, medical-device, electronics, and academic-research customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BMF does
BMF (Boston Micro Fabrication) is a precision micro-scale 3D printing technology company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, USA, with a tri-regional operating footprint spanning North America (Boston, San Diego R&D), East Asia (Tokyo subsidiary BMF Japan株式会社; Shenzhen manufacturing and main R&D center), and global channel reach across 35 countries. The company develops and commercializes its proprietary PµSL (Projection Micro Stereolithography) technology — a UV-LED projection-based micro-stereolithography process using a DMD dynamic mask to cure photopolymer resin at optical resolutions from 2µm to 25µm with ±10µm/±25µm machining tolerance, enabling cross-scale manufacturing of sub-10µm 3D micro-structures within centimeter-scale parts in a single print operation.
BMF's commercial offering comprises four product pillars: (1) the microArch printer family — S130/S230 at 2µm resolution, S140/S240 at 10µm, and the S150/S150 Ultra at 25µm for higher throughput; (2) proprietary materials including photopolymer resins (standard, high-toughness, heat-resistant, biocompatible), soluble resin (SR) for mold applications, and alumina ceramics; (3) contract micro 3D printing services for prototyping and small-lot production; and (4) end-products such as the La Briller ultra-thin zirconia dental veneer, the company's first vertically integrated consumer product launched in Japan in October 2024.
The revenue model combines one-time hardware sales of microArch printers with a recurring consumables stream from proprietary resins and ceramics, supplemented by professional services revenue from contract printing. The company goes to market primarily through direct enterprise field sales via its Boston, Shenzhen, and Tokyo offices, with a self-serve quote-request channel through the BMF Japan website (bmf3d.co.jp). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. BMF reports customer penetration of all top-10 global medical device manufacturers and 9 of top-10 precision connector manufacturers, alongside 2,000+ commercial and research customers and 600+ university partnerships as of late 2024, across verticals including Scientific Research & Academia, Electronics & Precision Manufacturing, Medical Devices & Healthcare, and Industrial/Consumer Products. The company is privately held and venture-backed, having raised approximately $67M+ in disclosed institutional funding across a Series C ($43M, Aug 2022, led by Shenzhen Capital Group) and Series D ($24M, Aug 2023).
BMF firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BMF
- Legal name
- BMF Japan株式会社
- Website
- https://bmf3d.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- BMF (Boston Micro Fabrication) is a precision micro-scale 3D printing company that sells proprietary PµSL-based microArch printers, consumable resins and ceramics, contract printing services, and end-products like ultra-thin zirconia dental veneers to enterprise, medical-device, electronics, and academic-research customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BMF industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial 3D Printing Equipment
- akta.pro primary industry
- Micro/Nanoscale & Precision 3D Printers (Two-Photon, Micro-SLA) (IMAAAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Polymer 3D Printers (FDM/FFF, SLA/DLP/LCD, SLS, Material Jetting) (IMAAAAAA), Precision Micro-3D Printing Services (micro-SLA, micro-metal, microfluidics) (IMAAADAF), Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC), 3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH)
Keywords
Where BMF is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
BMF business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 3D Printer Hardware Sales: BMF sells its proprietary microArch series 3D printers (S130, S140, S150, S230, S240) directly to enterprise and research customers. Equipment sales represent the primary revenue stream, with pricing varies by resolution tier and build volume.
- 3D Printing Services (Prototyping & Small-Lot Production): BMF offers 3D printing prototyping and small-lot production services for customers who prefer not to purchase equipment. Services cover micro-scale parts in resins and ceramics across medical, electronics, and industrial applications.
- Materials (Photopolymer Resins & Ceramics): BMF sells proprietary materials including photopolymer resins (hard, tough, heat-resistant, biocompatible, flexible, transparent), alumina ceramics, and soluble resin (SR) for mold applications. Materials are consumed during printing and represent a recurring revenue stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Custom equipment pricing based on printer model, resolution, and build volume |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
BMF product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BMF manufactures and sells ultra-high-precision micro 3D printers (microArch S130/S230, S140/S240, S150/S150 Ultra) based on its proprietary PµSL (Projection Micro Stereolithography) technology, achieving 2µm to 25µm optical resolution for micro-scale part production. The company also sells proprietary photopolymer resins, soluble resins for mold making, and alumina ceramic materials, while offering contract micro 3D printing services and end products such as ultra-thin zirconia dental veneers (La Briller brand).
Product overview
BMF (Boston Micro Fabrication) is a precision micro 3D printing technology company offering a portfolio of microArch-series ultra-high-precision 3D printers, specialized printing materials (photoresists, soluble resins, and ceramics), and contract micro 3D printing services. The core product line consists of four microArch models — S230 (2µm resolution for highest precision), S140 (10µm for general precision prototyping), S240 (10µm for small-batch production), and S150/S150 Ultra (25µm for high-speed modeling) — all based on BMF's proprietary PµSL (Projection Micro Stereolithography) technology. Materials span UV-curable photoresists (standard, high-toughness, heat-resistant, and biocompatible grades), a proprietary soluble resin (SR) for mold applications enabling injection molding and PDMS transfer with conventional polymers, and alumina ceramic materials. BMF also provides 3D printing services and, through its open innovation platform, has commercialized final products such as ultra-thin zirconia dental veneers under the 'La Briller' brand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- La Briller: A ultra-thin veneer product brand launched by BMF in collaboration with partners, officially released in the Japanese market in October 2024.
Products and services
- microArch S230
Quantifiable outcome
- Surgical time for glaucoma drainage devices reduced from 30-40 minutes to 3-5 minutes using BMF-printed tesla valve structures
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BMF
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BMF technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
BMF partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.
- Sunway Communication Corporation (米国)coreBMF and Sunway Communication signed a strategic partnership for joint development of next-generation antennas for RF and millimeter-wave applications. The partnership includes establishing a joint R&D laboratory in San Diego, California. Sunway brings expertise in RF ceramic materials and antenna technology while BMF contributes its precision 3D printing solutions for miniaturized complex antenna structures. Wilson Wu (Vice Chairman/GM) and Howard Liu (Chief Scientist/Antenna Institute Director) from Sunway, and John Kawola (CEO) and Chunguang Xia (Co-founder/CTO) from BMF lead the collaboration.
- Beijing University / 北京大学coreBMF partnered with Beijing University to develop drug delivery microsphere manufacturing technology. BMF's precision 3D printing and micro-fluidic devices enable uniform, controllable microsphere production for targeted drug delivery applications in cancer treatment and pain management.
- Tokyo University (東京大学)coreTokyo University collaborated with BMF on breakthrough cultivated meat research, using high-precision 3D printing to solve the 'thickness wall' challenge. Their joint work was recognized as a TIME Magazine 2025 Best Invention for improving texture and flavor of artificial meat by suppressing internal necrosis.
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology (IEN)coreGeorgia Tech's IEN facility (with 200+ pieces of equipment) installed BMF's microArch S140 3D printer to supplement their nano-scale fabrication capabilities with micro-scale 3D printing. The facility serves GT researchers and external users for life science and medical technology research including micro-needles, implantable sensors, and drug delivery devices.
- North Carolina University — Roger Narayan LabcoreUNC's biomedical engineering joint department, led by Prof. Roger Narayan, uses BMF microArch S130 (2µm resolution) to develop pH sensors, interstitial fluid extraction devices, and 5-HT sensors for medical and food safety applications.
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)moderateHKUST(Guangzhou) used BMF microArch S140 to print hemispherical micro-structures for bimodal tactile sensor arrays with 700µm spatial resolution, advancing embodied AI and robotics research.
- NYU Abu DhabimoderateNYU Abu Dhabi used BMF's 10µm precision 3D printer to develop spiral micro-catheter 'SPIRAL' for targeted brain drug delivery, achieving uniform drug diffusion by suppressing backflow.
- Beijing Tongren Hospital (北京同仁病院)coreBMF collaborated with Beijing Tongren Hospital to develop trans-corneal one-way aqueous humor drainage device with Tesla valve structure (30µm minimum channel) for glaucoma treatment, reducing surgery time from 30-40 minutes to 3-5 minutes with superior intraoperative IOP control.
- Sutrue (UK)coreSutrue, a UK-based medical device company developing automated minimally invasive surgical suturing devices, partnered with BMF to optimize device components using high-precision 3D printing. This reduced development cost and time, enabling rapid iteration of small precision parts and achieving design breakthroughs.
- Tama Art University & JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub (宇宙探査イノベーションハブ)minorBMF Japan co-sponsored the 'Noah's Ark' lunar micro-sculpture exhibition project led by Tama Art University and JAXA's Space Exploration Innovation Hub. BMF contributed 500µm-scale micro animal sculptures produced using its ultra-high precision 3D printing technology.
- Nanoism Co., Ltd. (La Briller Brand)coreBMF collaborated with Nanoism to launch the 'La Briller' ultra-thin zirconia veneer product, taking it from lab to global market in under 3 years. This represents BMF's first major end-product industrialization from its open innovation platform, officially launched in Japan in October 2024.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BMF competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Formlabs: US leader in desktop and professional SLA 3D printing for design, engineering, and dental applications. While operating at lower precision than BMF's micro-scale systems, Formlabs increasingly targets dental and medical verticals where BMF also competes via La Briller.
- Stratasys: Global incumbent in professional and industrial 3D printing with a wide polymer and materials portfolio. Competes indirectly with BMF in prototyping and precision parts, but at lower resolution tiers, with greater scale and established enterprise sales channels.
- 3D Systems: US incumbent in industrial 3D printing offering a broad portfolio across metals, polymers, and precision SLA. While not specialized in micro-scale, its precision SLA systems compete with BMF in lower-precision tiers and its scale and channels present a long-term competitive threat.
Emerging players
- Lithoz: Austrian specialist in ceramic 3D printing via lithography-based additive manufacturing. Overlaps with BMF in the high-precision ceramics niche, where BMF's alumina ceramic materials compete in medical and industrial applications requiring biocompatible, high-temperature ceramic parts.
Others
- Materialise: Belgian 3D printing services and software company providing on-demand additive manufacturing across many technologies. Compares to BMF in offering contract micro 3D printing services, though without proprietary precision hardware.
- Protolabs: US digital manufacturing services company providing rapid prototyping and on-demand production across CNC, injection molding, and 3D printing. Competes with BMF's service bureau offering for customers needing micro-precision parts without owning equipment.
Direct peers
- Microlight3D: French company specializing in sub-micron resolution 3D printing using two-photon polymerization. Direct competitor in micro-scale 3D printing for micro-optics, microfluidics, and biomedical research, addressing overlapping customer needs in research and industrial prototyping.
- Nanoscribe: German pioneer of two-photon polymerization (TPP) 3D printing, achieving sub-micron resolution. Direct competitor to BMF in micro/nano-scale 3D printing for research, photonics, and microfluidics, though TPP systems are typically slower and higher-cost than BMF's PµSL platform.
- UpNano: Austrian manufacturer of high-throughput two-photon polymerization 3D printing systems. Competes with BMF in micro-scale 3D printing for biomedical, microfluidics, and research applications, focusing on improving TPP throughput to make micro-printing more accessible.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BMF social profiles
Digital presenceBMF financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BMF leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
BMF funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BMF M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BMF
What does BMF do?
BMF manufactures and sells ultra-high-precision micro 3D printers (microArch S130/S230, S140/S240, S150/S150 Ultra) based on its proprietary PµSL (Projection Micro Stereolithography) technology, achieving 2µm to 25µm optical resolution for micro-scale part production. The company also sells proprietary photopolymer resins, soluble resins for mold making, and alumina ceramic materials, while offering contract micro 3D printing services and end products such as ultra-thin zirconia dental veneers (La Briller brand).
Is BMF a public or private company?
BMF is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was BMF founded?
BMF was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is BMF based?
BMF is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does BMF make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. 3D Printer Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are 3D Printing Services (Prototyping & Small-Lot Production) and materials (Photopolymer Resins & Ceramics).
Who are BMF's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Formlabs, Stratasys and 3D Systems. Lithoz is listed as an emerging player. Others are Materialise and Protolabs. Direct peers are Microlight3D, Nanoscribe and UpNano.
Does BMF have an API?
No public API is recorded for BMF.
What industry is BMF in?
BMF's product category is Industrial 3D Printing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAAAI, Micro/Nanoscale & Precision 3D Printers (Two-Photon, Micro-SLA), with a secondary code of IMAAAAAA, Polymer 3D Printers (FDM/FFF, SLA/DLP/LCD, SLS, Material Jetting).