- Delivers several hundred Cube® 3D printers for inclusion in FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) Kit of Parts
- Donates entire Cubify® software suite including Cubify Invent, Cubify Design and Cubify Sculpt to every participating team
ROCK HILL, S.C., Nov. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) today announced that it received an order for several hundred Cube® 3D printers for inclusion in Dean Kamen's FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) Kit of Parts, sponsored by America Makes, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the United States Department of Education. For the first time in the competition's history, FRC offers 3D printers to competing teams as part of their toolbox. 3DS was selected to supply its award winning Cube printers for its print quality, ease of use and certified-safe operability.
As part of its commitment to democratize access to affordable 3D printing, the company plans to donate its entire Cubify® software design suite including Cubify Invent™, Cubify Design™ and Cubify Sculpt™ to every team participating in FRC together with hundreds of cloud printing coupons valued at $100 each.
"We see a great potential to expand the use of 3D printing in FRC," said Frank Merrick, Director of FRC. "From the new options in prototyping to on-demand parts, 3D printing opens up a whole new world of possibilities in engineering, and we're very excited to introduce this capability to our young competitors and see what our participating teams come up with."
"3D Systems is honored to be a part of FIRST enabling teams get tomorrow's competitive skills today," said Leanne Gluck, Director of Social Impact, 3D Systems. "We are absolutely passionate about the universal literacy that 3D printing promotes in the classroom, home, lab, and competitive arena and can't wait to see how access to our Cube 3D printers and Cubify design software tools unleashes teams' creativity and enhances their competitiveness."
Learn more about 3DS' commitment to education through 3D printing here.
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced on-demand custom parts for professionals and consumers alike with materials including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. The company also provides software tools including scan to CAD and inspection as well as consumer 3D printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype or produce real parts, empowering customers to manufacture the future.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.
About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST®(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $18 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.