3D Systems Acquires Key Desktop Factory Assets

We’re excited to announce that we have acquired certain key assets of Desktop Factory, Inc., an Idealab company that has developed a sub-$5,000 3-D Printer! We plan to integrate this breakthrough technology into our expanding family of affordable 3-D Printers. “We believe the technology already developed by Desktop Factory, in combination with our extensive technology portfolio, could lead to a new generation of fast, simple and affordable 3-D Printers capable of making durable plastic parts,” said Abe Reichental, our president and CEO. “With this acquisition, we’re even more on our way to delivering low cost, easy to use 3-D Printers and making 3-D printing as common as 2-D printing is today!”

For more information, please visit http://www.3dsystems.com/newsevents/newsreleases/08_31_2009_3D_Systems_Acquires_Key_Desktop_Factory_Assets.asp

Update: OSU SAE Racing!

For the past several months, we have been updating you about the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Engineering's SAE Beaver Racing Team. 3D Systems played a big part in the success of the OSU car by building efficient, dependable and light-weight parts. According to SAE Vice-President, Trevor Takaro, "weighing in at 307 lbs, the 2009 car is OSU's lightest car ever!"

For the first time in OSU history, the team competed internationally in Hockenheim, Germany on August 5-9. At this event, the team received the following honors: 1st in presentation, 1st in Autocross, 1st in Endurance, 1st in Fuel Efficiency, Best driver award: Bill Murray and 1st overall in dynamic events. Takaro says, "We are proud to have 3D Systems as a sponsor because, in addition to supplying us with top quality products, we feel the company recognizes the importance of the Formula SAE program to a complete engineering education."

3D Rock Hill Announces New In-House Manufacturing Area!

3D Systems is proud to announce that it has begun to produce its ProJet™ 3D Printers as well as V-Flash® Finishers in a new in-house 3-D Printer manufacturing area located in its headquarters in Rock Hill, SC! Our dedicated team, led by Scott Polk, Director - Equipment Manufacturing, collectively brings more than 50 years of manufacturing experience and focuses on continuously building quality products for our customers!

For more information on the ProJet™ or V-Flash® 3-D Printers and accessories, please visit http://www.3dsystems.com/products/3dprinting/overview.asp.

The “V” in V-Flash® Stands For Value

As 3D Systems places V-Flash® Desktop Printers into the marketplace, we are learning about its value together with our customers. Based on early feedback we believe that V-Flash® is:

Priced at 65% of a comparably equipped competitive model.
Builds 4 times faster with a 68% greater build volume.
Produces finer details, features and smoother walls.
Platform costs 20% less than comparable competitor’s platform.

See for yourself the comprehensive value of V-Flash® in these pictures.

This photo shows a suite of parts built on a V-Flash® that took only 7 hours and 45 minutes to build.

For a detailed competitive comparison visit www.modelin3d.com.

SLA: Paving the Way for the Future of Digital Dentistry

A recent article by "Lab Management Today" (LMT) focuses on the SLA® process and how it's revolutionizing the way many dentists today are doing business. Historically, formative modeling technology was used to make molds by pouring plaster into an impression, waxing and casting, just to name a few of the necessary steps. Additive modeling technology, like SLA®, is different in that it uses data from digital impressions to create models by layering polymer resin in the appropriate mold. This SLA® type of technology is not nearly as labor intensive and is much more accurate than the previously mentioned formative modeling technology. "LMT" showcased 3M ESPE’s new digital workflow for a better understanding of how the process works:

Another benefit in using SLA® technology is the quick turnaround time, and most importantly, the cost savings: Dental labs save on plaster, related supply costs, initial shipping costs and the labor that is involved with a traditional impression. For more information on 3D Systems' SLA® technology, please click here.

Take a Tour of 3D Systems GmbH RMC

Take a tour of 3D Systems in Darmstadt, and see our facility’s RMC or Rapid Manufacturing Center. This showroom demonstrates our Direct Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Manufacturing and 3D Printing solutions that enable customers to improve time-to-market, efficiency and productivity while delivering high-quality parts with the characteristics needed for functional and other testing.

See 3D Systems’ 4 main technology platforms on display: SLS®, SLA®, MJM™, and FTI technologies.



If you are in the area, stop by and visit us! We are always happy to show off our home.

Small Engine Provides Big Boost over the Competition

Earlier this year we blogged about the Oregon State Formula SAE Team and how they use 3D Systems’ solutions to build dependable, efficient and lightweight parts for their Oregon State University Formula Car.

Recently, the team competed in the SAE West Competition where they placed First in Overall Dynamic Events and Second in Design – netting Oregon State Second Place Overall!

The 2009 team designed and built a carbon fiber chassis and used a smaller displacement engine, which resulted in the lightest car at the SAE West Competition – a faster racecar over the competitors that used less fuel.

“We could not have accomplished this record breaking achievement for Oregon State without the support of 3D Systems. Not only did we have the best looking intake at the competition, it also proved to be the most effective as well as the lightest,” said Jonathan Brady, OSU Formula Team Co-Captain.

The racecar was a big hit! Jonathon mentioned that the car was on display during the entire event and that everyone who came by commented on the beauty of the intake system. “Sometimes, we had to disperse the crowd of photographers that came by to take pictures,” commented Jonathon. “I think all of our competitors were surprised that a racecar with a smaller engine could place first in overall dynamic events.”
Read the case study.