Mcor Technologies

About Mcor Technologies

Mcor Technologies, an Irish company founded in 2005, specialized in the design and manufacturing of paper-based 3D printers. The company was established by brothers Dr. Conor MacCormack and Fintan MacCormack. The founders' journey began with a shared vision to make 3D printing more accessible. Conor, with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and experience at Airbus, recognized the prohibitive running costs of existing 3D printers during his academic and professional work. Fintan, a qualified aircraft mechanic and electrical engineer with experience in the semiconductor industry, brought expertise in control systems and machine software development. Their combined backgrounds fueled the creation of a technology that aimed to be as easy and affordable as printing on paper.

The company's core technology was Selective Deposition Lamination (SDL), a process they developed in 2003. This technique distinguishes itself from Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) by using standard office paper, a water-based adhesive, and a tungsten-tip blade for cutting instead of lasers. The process involves printing colored ink onto each sheet of paper, which are then bonded together and cut layer by layer to form the object. This method allows for the creation of full-color, durable, and tactile models at a fraction of the cost of other 3D printing technologies. The business model focused on selling these industrial-grade 3D printers and their associated consumables, including ink cartridges and adhesive.

Mcor's product line included several notable printers. The Mcor IRIS was an industrial-grade printer lauded for its full-color capabilities, employing an ICC (International Color Consortium) color map to produce over a million colors with high fidelity. Later, the IRIS HD upgrade improved color crispness and accuracy. To target a broader market, including educational and prosumer segments, the company launched the Mcor ARKe, a desktop version, at CES in 2016, where it won a Best of Innovation Award. The ARKe was designed to be office-friendly, using recyclable materials and avoiding harmful emissions. The company's clients spanned various sectors, including education, architecture, product design, medical, and art. A significant partnership was formed with retail giant Staples to offer in-store 3D printing services.

Over its lifespan, Mcor Technologies raised approximately $35-41 million in funding from investors like ITLG, Enterprise Ireland, and WHEB Partners. Despite its technological advancements and market traction, the company faced financial difficulties. In March 2019, Mcor Technologies entered receivership after being unable to secure further investment for expansion. The company's assets and intellectual property were subsequently acquired by CleanGreen3D Limited in November 2019, and Mcor ceased trading.