LAS VEGAS, USA, Autodesk University - AutoCAD® software users can now quickly and easily obtain 3D physical models of designs in progress to help them enhance products, cut costs and shorten development cycles - thanks to a new service called ZPrints™. The new capability answers the increasing need for more 3D printed prototypes at every stage of the design cycle.
Announced today at Autodesk University 2008, ZPrints enables designers and engineers to click a button in AutoCAD 2009, order a 3D model online, and have it printed and shipped to them immediately for review with colleagues, customers and partners. AutoCAD, one of the world's leading 2D and 3D design applications, produces 3D models that easily convert to industry-standard 3D printing data (STL). ZPrints leverages newly available 3D printing functionality that has been introduced to AutoCAD subscription customers via a new bonus pack.
"We're excited to partner with Z Corporation to bring new 3D printing services to AutoCAD users," said Guri Stark, Autodesk vice president, AutoCAD and platform products. "This service will help our customers bring products to market in less time and at less cost by using physical models that enable them to experience their designs before they are real."
ZPrints represents a partnership between Z Corporation 3D printing technology and Quickparts, a leading rapid prototyping service provider. AutoCAD users will benefit from Z Corporation's lowest-cost, highest-resolution technology and Quickparts' premium parts, service and support.
"It's great to see Autodesk responding to the increasing customer demand for enhanced 3D printing capabilities in AutoCAD," said John Kawola, Z Corporation Chief Executive Officer. "We're confident customers' expectations will be met and surpassed with the ZPrints service, based on the Z Corporation technology foundation."
About Quickparts
Quickparts provides custom manufactured parts, tooling and technologies that support the product development community. Quickparts' family of companies includes Quickparts.com (manufacturing), QuickARC (architecture/GIS) and QuickQuote Technologies (application services). Quickparts' patented QuickQuote process provides product designers with an ‘instant online quote' for the manufacturing of their custom parts from 3D CAD models. Quickparts' custom manufacturing services include: Rapid Prototypes, Cast Urethanes, Injection Mold Tooling and Parts, Sheet Metal Parts, and CNC Machined Parts.
About Z Corporation
Z Corporation makes products that enable users to capture, edit, and print 3D data with unprecedented speed, ease, versatility and affordability. These products include the world's fastest high-definition 3D printers - machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data in full color, and uniquely portable 3D scanners - handheld machines that digitize 3D surfaces in real time. Z Corporation technology is enabling a wide range of applications in manufacturing, architecture, civil engineering, reverse engineering, geographic information systems (GIS), medicine and entertainment.
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