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3D Systems Background and Product Highlights
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| MANAGEMENT
PROFILE |
| Click here for 3D Systems management bios.
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| COMPANY
OVERVIEW |
In 1986, 3D Systems founded the rapid prototyping industry and became the world leader in this field. Since 1999, the company has moved to expand the horizons of its technology
into direct manufacturing. 3D Systems, the solid imaging company(SM),
provides digital imaging solutions that transform virtual computer designs into physical models. As a result,
manufacturers are able to condense the time it takes to bring new products to market,
while improving quality and reducing costs. Compared to traditional handcrafting or
machining methods, solid imaging enables users to develop and maintain a critical
competitive edge.
3D Systems' solid imaging technology is used worldwide to generate product concept models, functional prototypes, master patterns for tooling and end-use production parts for
direct and indirect manufacturing, also known as advanced digital manufacturing. 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.
The company's systems utilize patented stereolithography, selective laser sintering, direct composite manufacturing and 3-D printing processes to fabricate physical objects using input from computer-aided design and manufacturing software, or 3-D scanning and sculpting devices.
A tightly integrated package combining hardware, software, materials and process gives 3D Systems one of the broadest ranges of solid imaging solutions in the world. Its comprehensive range of products consist of; the SLA® (stereolithography) product line, the SLS® (selective laser sintering) product line, the DCM (direct composite manufacturing) product line, the MJM (multi-jet modeling) product line, and the Accura® material line (including photopolymers, metals, nylons, engineering plastics, and thermoplastics). which provides a breadth of prototype and manufacturing materials for all 3D Systems solid imaging systems.
3D Systems invented the solid imaging technology that is now used worldwide to generate product concept models, functional prototypes, master patterns for tooling and production - and in some cases, these models can serve as production parts. The company's systems utilize patented stereolithography and 3D printing processes to fabricate physical objects using input from computer-aided design and manufacturing software, or 3D scanning and sculpting devices
Based in Valencia, Calif., 3D Systems (Nasdaq: TDSC) was founded in 1986 by Charles Hull, the inventor of stereolithography. The company is recognized as the world market and technology leader in solid imaging solutions.
3D Systems serves customers in 80 countries, with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Hong Kong. It employs more than 400 people worldwide.
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TECHNOLOGY
OVERVIEW
A true technology innovator, 3D Systems holds more than 200 patents worldwide, with additional patents pending. A tightly integrated combination of materials, hardware, software and process gives 3D Systems one of the broadest ranges of digital imaging solutions in the marketplace today.
Accura® materials are developed, manufactured and sold by 3D Systems.
Accura materials include photopolymers, metals, nylons, engineering plastics, and thermoplastics.
3D Systems offers three distinctly different product lines, each employing proprietary processes:
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Stereolithography (SL) - used for production and industrial applications;
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Selective Laser Sintering (LS) - produces functional plastic
and metal parts; and
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Multi-jet modeling (MJM) - used for design office and investment casting applications.
SLA® systems use our proprietary stereolithography (SL) technology, a solid imaging process that uses a laser beam to expose and solidify successive layers of a photosensitive liquid until the desired object is formed to precise specifications in epoxy or acrylic resin. SL-produced parts can be used for concept models, engineering prototypes, patterns and masters for molds, consumable tooling or short-run manufacturing of final product, among other applications. SL technology can provide users with significant product development time-savings, cost reductions and improved quality, compared to traditional modeling, tooling and pattern-making techniques. In addition, with appropriate material functionality, SL technology can produce durable parts that can be used for advanced digital manufacturing
(ADMSM).
SLS® systems are based on proprietary selective laser sintering (LS) technology initially developed and patented by The University of Texas. The LS technology was further refined and patented by DTM Corporation. 3D Systems acquired DTM on August 24, 2001 and now own these patents, including an exclusive worldwide license from The University of Texas to practice LS under selected basic laser sintering patents owned by the University. This technology uses laser energy to melt and fuse, or sinter, powdered material to create a solid object. SLS systems are used to produce functional models for use in product development and design, and increasingly are used for the direct manufacture of small lot quantities of plastic or metal parts for use as final products by end-users in both the consumer and industrial markets. Use of our SLS systems can significantly reduce the time required for production from months or weeks to days or, in some cases, hours.
MJM technology currently consists of the ThermoJet® solid object printer, which is about the size of office copiers, employ hot-melt ink jet technology to build 3-dimensional models in successive layers using our proprietary thermoplastic materials. Designers, engineers, and other users of CAD/CAM utilities can incorporate our printers into office networks as a shared resource, to rapidly produce models of products under development for design concept communication and validation. In addition, objects produced by the ThermoJet printer can be used as patterns and molds and, when combined with other secondary processes, such as investment casting, can produce parts with representative end-use properties.
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PRODUCTS
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A comprehensive range of solutions addresses product development processes at all levels - from communications models to rapid manufacturing.
While traditional methods can take weeks or even months, 3D Systems equipment builds highly accurate three-dimensional parts in a matter of hours. This allows for greater flexibility in the design process, and substantially reduces the time and cost in bringing new products to market.
PRODUCT LINE |
MJM SYSTEM
ThermoJet® printer delivers quick, convenient, affordable output of 3-D parts in an office environment,
as well as as patterns and molds used for investment casting.
SLA systems
Viper
SLA® system: Versatile small-frame solid imaging system featuring a dual-resolution solid-state
"smart laser." The Viper SLA system combines standard and high-resolution part
building. Standard part building gives customers the best balance between build
speed and part resolution. High resolution (HR) mode is for ultra-detailed small parts and features. The system features a carefully integrated digital signal processor
(DSP) controlled high speed scanning system with a single, solid-state laser that delivers
100 mW of available power
SLA® 5000 system: High-level solid imaging system that delivers speed and high accuracy.
SLA® 7000 system: The SLA 7000 system delivers high build speeds, and near-production level parts with
unmatched surface finish quality - the fastest, highest-resolution solid imaging system
ever built.
3D Lightyear software: User-friendly and cost effective Windows NT-based part preparation software for
3D Systems' SLA product line.
SLS systems
Vanguard SLS® systems Vanguard and Vanguard HS (High Speed) are the first SLS systems developed
specifically for advanced digital manufacturing applications. The Vanguard system
allows customers to move directly from a CAD file to create a durable, functional
plastic or metal part or tool in a fraction of the time required for traditional machining
and tooling processes. The Vanguard system quickly generates small runs of
production parts and produces large volumes of parts with maximum efficiency. It
creates accurate, complex parts, casting patterns, and tools with features as small as
0.5 mm (.02 inch), and its benefits include high part accuracy, fast build speed and
unattended operations.
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MARKET
SEGMENTS
3D Systems focuses on a wide range of customer needs, including advanced digital manufacturing (ADM), traditional model, mold and prototyping, office users.
Advanced Digital Manufacturing (ADM); 3D Systems' advanced digital manufacturing technology allows customers utilizing 3D Systems solid imaging equipment to produce end use parts directly or indirectly, in whatever volume is of interest to that customer.
There are two subsets to ADM: Direct and Indirect
Direct ADM is the proven process for creating end-use products directly on a solid imaging system. Recent advancements in laser
sintering and stereolithography technology from 3D Systems have made this a viable alternative to conventional manufacturing methods.
Direct ADM
- Rapid direct manufacturing
- No tooling required
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Just-in-time, on-demand manufacturing
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Replace spare parts from virtual inventory
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Reverse engineering, post-production support
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Design for function, now manufacturing method
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Discrete and repetitive environments
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Indirect ADM is an accepted set of methods for creating end-use parts
from a mold, pattern, or tool generated on a solid imaging system.
Indirect ADM
Laser Sintering:
- LaserForm™ tools for production injection molding
- DuraForm® molds for thermoforming
- CastForm™ patterns for metal
castings
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Stereolithography:
- Direct AIM tools for small runs of injection molded plastic parts
- QuickCast™ process for metal castings
- Master patterns for polyurethane castings
- Mass customization molds for thermoforming (see
invisalign.com)
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Rapid Prototyping (RP): A layer-by-layer additive process driven by computer model data that joins liquid, powder, or sheet materials to create a 3-D object in plastic, wood, metal, or ceramic.
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APPLICATIONS
AND MARKETS
Applications
for 3D Systems products include short-run production in a wide variety
concept modeling, rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and of industries
including: automotive, aerospace, consumer appliance and electronics,
toys and entertainment, and medical.
Automotive:
Virtually every leading global car maker uses 3D Systems' solid
imaging equipment in the development of products. Typical applications
include building prototypes of high-temperature resistant,
under-the-hood components like intake manifolds and transmission
housings for companies such as Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Renault F1 Team
and Penske Racing.
Aerospace:
3D Systems' processes and equipment enable engineers to introduce the
latest in component design for commercial and military aircraft
missiles, corporate jets and space vehicles. Bell Textron, for
example, uses SLA devices to perfect rotary blades for its
helicopters. With help from 3D Systems, Boeing developed an external
tank for NASA's Space Shuttle.
Toys
& entertainment:
With 3D Systems' solutions, toy designers can turn computer-animated
characters into physical models in a just a few hours, dramatically
decreasing their time-to-market cycle. Virtually every toy company,
such as Mattel and Hasbro rely on solid imaging to maintain an edge in
their highly competitive industry.
Electronic
products:
The electronics industry utilizes solid imaging to identify flaws and
test products early in the design process. Motorola designs cellular
phones and hand-held radios using their SLA system, while US Robotics
created the first-to-market wireless radio modem for notebook
computers.
Medical:
Using CT and MRI scans, models of body parts can be created to assist
in surgical planning, research and prevention. Companies such as
Baxter and Becton Dickinson also utilize solid imaging in the
development and manufacture of medical devices and instruments.
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CUSTOMERS
3D Systems serves product designers and manufacturers around the world in major corporations: Apple Computer, AT&T, DaimlerChrysler, Eastman Kodak, Fiat, Ford, General Electric, General Motors, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Molex, Motorola, NASA, Nissan and Tupperware – to name just a few.
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SALES AND
DISTRIBUTION
3D Systems markets its products in the United States and Europe primarily through an internal sales force. In the Pacific Rim and Latin America, the company works with distributors who handle sales, system installation, customer service and support.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE AND
SUPPORT
3D Systems offers a variety of customer support, maintenance and training programs, as well as application support:
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3D Plus+ Customer Support Center: provides product maintenance and service through highly trained technicians and service personnel.
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3D Systems Technology Centers: in addition to new product testing, company facilities in Valencia, Calif., and Darmstadt, Germany, provide materials evaluations and benchmark parts for prospective and existing
customers.
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3D Systems Education Center: facility in Valencia, Calif., offers an array of hardware, software, and application training courses for customers.
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| Management Profile |
Abe N. Reichental, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Reichental was elected President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 19, 2003. Previously, he was employed by Sealed Air Corporation, a global manufacturer of food, protective and specialty packaging materials, for 22 years in various technical, marketing and operating positions, most recently serving as a corporate officer and Vice President and General Manager of the Shrink Packaging Division from May 2001 until September 2003 and from June 1999 until April 2001 as Vice President Asia-Pacific.
Charles W. Hull, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Hull is a founder of the company and has served in various executive positions since 1986.
William Tennison, Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Tennison joined us on August 14, 2006 and was elected Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer on November 30, 2006. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Tennison served as a Financial Consultant for Sherpa LLC, a management consulting firm, with responsibility for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and financial reporting engagements. From 2002 until 2004, Mr. Tennison served as COO/CFO of The Salem Group, Inc., a privately held business specializing in re-selling mid- and large-frame computers and computer storage equipment. Prior to that time, he was employed as a Financial Consultant for RHI Management Resources, a management consulting firm, primarily focused on strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and SEC financial reporting engagements.
Stephen M. Goddard, Vice President. Mr. Goddard joined us on October 27, 2003 and was elected a Vice President effective December 9, 2004. Prior to joining us, he was employed by Sealed Air Corporation from May 2002 to October 2003 in various operational and manufacturing performance-improvement leadership roles. For the previous four years, he worked for McKinsey & Company, a business consulting firm.
Robert M. Grace, Jr., Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Grace was elected Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary effective November 3, 2003. Previously, he was employed by Sealed Air Corporation for 22 years, most recently serving as a Special Counsel from 1996 to 2003 and previously as General Counsel and Secretary.
Damon Gregoire, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gregoire joined us on May 1, 2007 from Datastream Systems Inc, where he served as divisional CFO and VP, Corporate Controller. Damon is a CPA and has a BS in Accounting and an M.B.A.
Kevin P. McAlea, Vice President. Dr. McAlea was elected a corporate Vice President in May 2003 and, from September 2001 to May 2003, served as Vice President and General Manager, Europe. For more than five years prior to September 2001, he served in marketing, technical and executive positions with DTM Corporation, which we acquired in August 2001. At DTM, his last position was Vice President, Marketing and Business Development.
Brian K. Fraser, Vice President. Mr. Fraser was elected Vice President, effective January 16, 2006. Prior to joining us, he was employed by Sealed Air Corporation from February 1997 until January 2006 in various sales and management positions in Europe and Asia, most recently serving as Divisional Vice-President Europe for Sealed Air's shrink packaging business.
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CONTACT
INFO
26081 Avenue Hall
Valencia, CA 91355
phone: 888-337-9786; 661-295-5600 ext: 2882
fax: 661-294-8406
investor relations: 800-757-1799
www.3dsystems.com
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