3D Printing Service Provider Potomac Photonics Expands

southlobby_hdrAfter 30 years on the DC Beltway, Potomac Photonics announces they are moving their Digital Fabrication facility to the new [email protected] high tech innovation center in Baltimore.  The increase in space is coupled with conference and training facilities on the campus that will be key in Potomac’s role as a distributor of 3D System’s  ProJet Production equipment in the Mid-Atlantic States.

Potomac President and CEO Mike Adelstein elaborates: “the new location is not just a change in address with more space.  In [email protected] we found collaborators, potential customers and future employees all in a state of the art facility with easy access to BWI airport and major highways.”  The campus facilities will allow Potomac to conduct demonstrations, workshops, seminars, and hands-on trainings in 3D Printing and other Digital Fabrication technologies.  The move also allows Potomac to take a more active role in training and supporting ProJet 3D Printer customers.

Recognizing the need to help companies who are leading the way to the next Industrial Revolution, the State of Maryland and Baltimore County provided key financial incentives to make the move a reality.  These funds partially purchased a modular clean room that will extend capabilities in medical device, microfluidics and microelectronics manufacturing.

Potomac provides 3D Printing, Laser and CNC micromachining, micro hole drilling, hot embossing and other digital fabrication technologies to take concepts from prototype to production.  Often the company will combine technologies for a real-world integration of 3D Printing into the factory floor.  Mr. Adelstein elaborates, “Sometimes 3D Printing alone is not the answer.  But when we use its unique benefits in combination with our other tools the results are perfect for our customer’s manufacturing needs.”

Founder Paul Christensen actually moved the company’s first commercial division manufacturing miniature excimer lasers to the incubator at the University of Maryland, College Park from the R&D contract work he provided to the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. in the mid-1980’s.  Dr. Christensen says, “We have a long and fruitful relationship with the University of Maryland System and this is the next forward step in Potomac’s evolution.  Among several other benefits, the new, larger facility will facilitate our expanded collaboration with my new work, Potomac MesoSystems, in the miniature electronics area.”

Coincidentally, Mr. Adelstein is also an alumnus of UMBC.  Watch this space for dates on the official ribbon cutting that is expected in March, along with a DigiFab Conference at the new location coordinated through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.