3D Systems Sells 2,000th Machine
Includes 100 SLA 7000 Systems Shipped
Contacts:
3D Systems, Public Relations Department
(661) 295-5600
VALENCIA, Calif., May 29, 2001 -
3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: TDSC) today announced the sale of its 2,000th solid imaging system.
The company also reached a milestone by shipping its 100th high-end SLA® 7000 system since its introduction in February 1999.
“We’re pleased that, throughout 3D Systems’ 15-year history, our products have continued to gain
market acceptance,” said Chuck Hull, company founder and chief technology officer. “Even as we celebrate the 2,000th system sold,
we look forward to accelerating our growth via new technologies and solutions.”
Hull added, “We anticipate the functionality of our new Viper SLA system will be attractive to the marketplace – much like its predecessor,
the SLA 250 system. And we’re excited about our current R&D work with non-liquid material systems, which will address the growing market for rapid tooling and direct and indirect in-line manufacturing applications.”
The first solid imaging machine off 3D Systems’ production line in 1986 was the SLA 1 system. Subsequent machines included the SLA 190, 250, 350 and 500 systems.
In 1996, 3D Systems introduced its first solid object modeler, the Actua printer, which was replaced in 1999 by the ThermoJetreg; printer.
In 2000, 3D Systems shipped 387 systems globally with revenues of $109.7 million. Its $27.9 million revenues for first-quarter 2001
were 21.3% greater than its first-quarter 2000 revenues.
100th SLA 7000 System Shipped
Reaching another milestone, 3D Systems shipped the 100th high-end SLA 7000 system to The Boeing Company for use at its PhantomWorks facility in St. Louis.
3D Systems introduced the SLA 7000 system in February 1999 and shipped 29 that year and 57 in 2000.
“We’ve used stereolithography technology since 1989 for aircraft configuration and marketing models,” said Ed Langenderfer, prototype design
specialist engineer at Boeing’s PhantomWorks. “Our main application of the technology is wind-tunnel testing.”
According to Langenderfer, the group recently used stereolithography for the development of the U.S. Air Force’s Unmanned Combat Air
Vehicle (UCAV). “We made various flaps and aileron configurations to verify computer analyses. And we’re planning to move into more advanced
tooling and manufacturing applications with our SLA systems.”
Grant Flaharty, senior vice president of worldwide sale and marketing at 3D Systems, said, “We are pleased that the SLA 7000 system continues
to gain acceptance in the market. As our installed base of high-end systems grows, we have more opportunities for ongoing support and materials sales.
In 2000, our materials sales accounted for 23% of total revenue.”
About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides solid imaging products and services that substantially reduce the time and cost required to design, test and manufacture products.
The company’s systems utilize patented technologies that create physical objects from digital input.
3D Systems currently offers the ThermoJet® office printer and SLA® industrial systems, which include proprietary software and materials.
Product pricing in the U.S. begins at $49,995 for the company’s entry-level printer and extends up to $799,000 for its feature-rich industrial SLA 7000 system.
The company also licenses the 3D Keltool® process, a complementary application that produces injection molding and die casting inserts from SLA system
master patterns. In February 2001, 3D Systems announced it acquired OptoForm, a French company that developed stereolithography systems that use
paste materials. In April 2001, the company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to purchase DTM Corporation, contingent on, among
other conditions, closing the loan funding.
Based in Valencia, Calif., 3D Systems was founded in 1986 and is recognized as the world technology and market leader in solid imaging.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.3dsystems.com or phone 888/337-9786, ext. 775. For an investor packet, call the company’s
shareholder communications service at 800/757-1799.
Note to editors: Actua is a trademark; and ThermoJet, SLA, Keltool and the 3D logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems.
Certain statements in this news release may include forward-looking statements which express the expectation, prediction, belief or projection of 3D Systems.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance and achievement of 3D
Systems to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this release and that may affect the company’s prospects in
general include, but are not limited to: changes in general and industry-wide economic and business conditions; the availability of capital on acceptable terms;
the funding of amounts adequate to acquire DTM Corporation and provide for the working capital needs of 3D Systems under the definitive loan document;
the results of the inquiry by the Department of Justice into the acquisition by 3D Systems of DTM Corporation; actions of competitors and customers;
the uncertain outcome of litigation, including the class action lawsuit filed in connection with the acquisition of DTM Corporation; the impact of competitive
products and pricing; the availability and acceptance of products generally; the extent to which the companies are able to develop new products and markets
for their products; and such other factors as are described in 3D Systems’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2000, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2001, and its current reports on Form 8-K filed
on April 6 and April 10, 2001.
|