3D Systems Announces Comprehensive Strategy to Evolve 3D Printing from Prototyping to Production
Company to partner with software giant PTC to accelerate adoption of digital manufacturing technologies
Latest demonstration of Figure 4 shows ultra-fast printing platform as digital alternative to injection molding
Company launches 3DXpert software for powerful, streamlined Direct Metal Printing
CHICAGO - 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) today will unveil its strategy, solutions, partnerships and updated management team to help customers leverage its digital manufacturing solutions and transition from prototyping to production. At an exclusive launch event coinciding with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2016, 3D Systems’ President and CEO Vyomesh Joshi (VJ) will share his positive outlook on the 3D printing industry and the reasons he believes 3D printing is at an inflection point.
“Rapid prototyping was the original application for 3D printing and will continue to be an important part of our business,” says Joshi. “However, we believe we have the technology and assets today to make 3D production real and provide profitable growth for our company.”
Joshi will explain how 3D Systems’ complete digital manufacturing ecosystem uniquely enables customers to digitize, design, simulate, manufacture, inspect and manage as they transition towards end-use part production. He will officially launch 3DXpert™, 3D Systems’ powerful software solution for streamlining and automating pre- and post-production processes for Direct Metal Printing. Additionally, Joshi will announce a strategic partnership with PTC, a leading provider of CAD, PLM, and IoT technology.
PTC alliance expands partner ecosystem
During 3D Systems’ launch event, the company will highlight the elevated importance strategic partnerships with category leaders play in the company’s business model and operations. Illustrating that point, Joshi will announce a strategic alliance with software-leader PTC.
Jim Heppelmann, PTC’s President and CEO, will join Joshi on stage to share how the two companies are working together to integrate 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint™ SDK into PTC’s flagship Creo® CAD platform. The collaboration will provide Creo-users with seamless CAD-to-print functionality as well as a full set of print management tools.
“Partnering with 3D Systems allows our users to take full advantage of the power of 3D printing and work seamlessly from digital design to physical part,” says Heppelmann. “The 3D Sprint SDK integration into Creo is just the beginning of what our two companies can accomplish across the digital manufacturing value-chain.”
Figure 4 technology provides digital alternative to injection molding
Throughout IMTS, 3D Systems will demonstrate the latest advancements to its Figure 4 technology, the company’s ultra-fast, modular Stereolithography (SLA) system designed for the production of plastic parts on the factory floor. Featuring print speeds of up to 50-times faster than conventional systems as well as the ability to integrate with secondary processes such as finishing and coating, the productivity and flexibility of the Figure 4 platform make it a viable and intelligent digital alternative to injection molding.
As part of 3D Systems’ latest developments, the company has expanded Figure 4 capabilities to incorporate automatic, in-line 3D inspection of parts for closed-loop manufacturing. Simultaneous to part inspection and measurement, the system also generates a real time, detailed report with go/no-go feedback. This process provides users with immediate confidence in part compliance while enabling highly diversified production.
3DXpert software revolutionizes Direct Metal Printing
With a focus on providing a complete production solution for Direct Metal Printing (DMP), 3D Systems will also launch 3DXpert, a comprehensive all-in-one software solution that simplifies and streamlines the metal printing workflow. 3DXpert eliminates the need to work with multiple software packages by covering the full workflow – importing data, optimizing the geometry and lattice creation, calculating the scan-path, arranging the build platform, sending it to the printer and even machining the final part when necessary.
3DXpert allows users to import and work with any geometry (STL, Surfaces, Solid). This helps save valuable time and maintain greater flexibility on change handling, using history-based parametric CAD tools. Structure optimization tools within the software allow users to save weight and material with lightning-fast creation and editing of micro lattices, based on the groundbreaking Volume Representation (V-Rep) technology. The software also enables optimal printing strategies to be assigned to different zones of a part and automatically fuses separately assigned zones into a single scan-path, resulting in minimized print time while maintaining part integrity.
New management team to drive operational excellence through experience
To help grow and scale the business, strengthen execution, and better reach customers in key markets worldwide, 3D Systems will announce an updated operating framework centered around regional execution teams. To support the implementation of this regional go-to-market model and drive operational excellence across the business, CEO Joshi will present several new additions to his management team. Along with recently-announced CFO John McMullen, these incoming executives each bring significant experience in effectively managing similarly structured organizations and have successful track records working alongside Joshi.
New additions to the 3D Systems’ management team include:
Herbert Koeck, SVP, Go-to-Market, EMEA
Christopher Morgan, SVP, Go-to-Market, Americas and APAC
Jim Ruder, SVP, General Manager, Plastics
Phil Schultz, SVP, On Demand Solutions
Doug Vaughan, SVP, Marketing and Demand Generation
Reinhard Winkler, SVP, Supply Chain
“Our new management team combines the talent and domain knowledge of our existing leadership with new additions who have proven success in executing a regional operating framework that balances growth, capital and operational excellence,” says Joshi. “With this world-class team, I strongly believe we can capitalize on opportunities in global markets and create value for our customers, partners and shareholders.”
Strategy and Solutions Event kicks off IMTS 2016
3D Systems’ launch event coincides with the opening of IMTS 2016 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The company will host two demonstration and display booths at the show, one in the CAD/CAM Pavilion of the East Building in booth E-3310 and one in the Additive Manufacturing Pavilion of the North Building in booth N-68. 3D Systems is also prominently featured by partner Methods Machine Tools in the Metal Cutting Pavilion of the South Building in booth S-9119.
Visit 3D Systems’ IMTS 2016 event page for more information or to schedule a booth tour or demonstration.
A live stream of the 2016 Strategy and Solutions Event will be available on the 3D Systems Investor Relations website, beginning at 10:30 AM CT. A replay will also be available following the event.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on-demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems’ precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30 year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models.
More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com
Media Contact:
Timothy Miller
Email: press@3dsystems.com
