VALENCIA, Calif., Jun. 17, 2003 -
3D Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: TDSCE). 3D Systems Corp. announced today that Airbus in the United Kingdom purchased an SLA® 7000 system to produce components for wind tunnel testing at its operations in Filton, Bristol. The purchase of an SLA 7000 system will be used to create larger models with tighter tolerances and high quality surface finish in the wind tunnel.
“My background for the last 5 years has been on the test side where we are always under pressure to meet deadlines,” said Martin Aston wind tunnel domain manager for Airbus in Filton. “We were already using 3D Systems technology through a third party service bureau and was aware of some of the advantages of stereolithography. If we are able to build models more quickly we can enter the design cycle later, which gives the aerodynamicist more time to think before committing to a test. We realized over a year ago, rather then outsourcing our prototyping and model production, that we needed to invest in new technology of our own if we were going to improve our cycle times without lowering our standards.”
“We are currently using the SLA 7000 system for our Flight Physics which encompasses the aerodynamic groups who submit new geometries for testing in the tunnel. Typical components include leading edge and trailing edge configurations, flap tracks, pylons and nacelles. Having our own SLA system on-site allows us to react more quickly and more cost effectively to our bottom line,” continued Aston. “We now try designs we never would have done before because we have the technology on-site. Effectively we can think of an idea, put it on the system to build overnight or over a weekend and test it the next day. If the design doesn’t work we just repeat the process. To do that through a service bureau would be almost impossible as the typical turnaround time is four days.”
Airbus has started experimenting with models that they would never have attempted or thought possible previously. Producing plastic models using the SLA system enables Airbus to cater for all of the shapes and curves of aircraft components. Geometric form and dimensional stability has been dramatically improved, which means the test data is more accurate. By having the technology on-site a deeper understanding of the process has been invaluable. This knowledge allows the project coordinator to define and control specific attributes of the geometry by understanding the technology. They can then communicate these constraints with the operator and part quality can be maintained.
“We have so much more control over the design process now. This not only leads to cost savings but means that we control the priority and error time. We no longer have the delay of waiting for returns if we need to build a new iteration, we simply re-run it on the SLA system,” stated Aston.
“We chose 3D Systems not only because of the quality of the stereolithography systems, but because we see the company as much more than simply a machine tool supplier,” says Aston. “3D Systems is advising us on the entire process. That level of partnership is good to see – so many companies would just hand over the machine and tell us to get on with it.”
About Airbus
The Airbus wind tunnels carry out testing to provide data as part of the aerodynamic design process for all Airbus aircraft. The wind tunnel domain includes sites at Filton, near Bristol, Toulouse in France, Getafe (Madrid) in Spain and Bremen in Germany.
About 3D Systems
Founded in 1986, 3D Systems®, the solid imaging companySM, provides solid imaging products and solutions that reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing. Its systems utilize patented technologies to create physical objects from digital input that can be used in design communication, prototyping, and as functional end-use parts.
3D Systems currently offers the ThermoJet® solid object printer, SLA® (stereolithography) systems, SLS® (selective laser sintering) systems, and Accura® materials (including photopolymers, metals, nylons, engineering plastics, and thermoplastics).
3D Systems is the originator of the advanced digital manufacturing (ADMSM) solution for manufacturing applications. ADM is the utilization of 3D Systems solid imaging technologies to accelerate production of smaller volumes of customized/specialized parts. A typical ADM center is expected to contain multiple 3D Systems’ SLA, MJM and/or SLS systems dedicated to full-time manufacturing applications.
Product pricing in the U.S. ranges from $49,995, for the ThermoJet printer, to $799,000 for the high-end SLA 7000 system. 3D Systems’ multiple platform product line enables companies to choose the most appropriate systems for applications ranging from the creation of design communication models to prototypes to production parts. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com, or by phoning 888/337-9786, or 661/295-5600 ext. 2882 internationally. An investor packet can be obtained by calling 800/757-1799.
Note to editors: ADM and the solid imaging company are service marks; and si2 is a trademark; and ThermoJet, SLA, SLS, Accura, 3D Systems and the 3D logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems Inc.
Certain statements in this news release may include forward-looking statements that 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 and adversely 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; the failure to file the 10-K and 10-Q within the extended time periods granted by Nasdaq, disruption caused by the reconfiguration of the management team, the funding of amounts of capital adequate to provide for the working capital needs of the Company; actions of competitors and customers; the Company's ability to successfully design and produce new products; customer acceptance of new products; the Company's ability to enter into successful relationships with new customers to fully exploit its products; the Company's ability to successfully implement all elements of its restructuring and cost savings program, and such other factors as are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking.
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