- New platform will transform production of mass customized and complex end use parts while meeting durability and repeatability requirements of production environments
- First shipment made to Fortune 50 industrial company
CHICAGO, March 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delivering on its strategy to transform 3D manufacturing workflows, 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) today announced the industry’s first modular, scalable and fully-integrated additive manufacturing platform. 3D Systems’ disruptive Figure 4 production platform produces plastic parts more than 50 times faster than current systems, delivering dramatically lower total cost of operations while offering competitive and compelling comparisons to conventional methods.
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Based on its revolutionary Figure 4 technology, 3D Systems’ new platform allows customers to tailor configurations and select materials to address specific applications. Configurations range from single-print engine machines to fully automated, high-volume production systems with 16 or more print engines, automated material delivery and integrated post-processing.
The company recently shipped the first system to a Fortune 50 industrial customer, and plans to ramp customer-specific shipments throughout the second half of 2017.
“We believe our breakthrough Figure 4 platform will revolutionize manufacturing by transforming production of both mass customized and complex end use parts with a compelling total cost of operations versus conventional methods,” said Vyomesh Joshi (VJ), President and CEO, 3D Systems. “While others are realizing the need to transition from prototyping to production, we are delivering real solutions across all key vertical markets and applications that are helping customers solve problems today.”
| Illustrative Example – Figure 4 vs. Traditional SLA* | |||
| Figure 4 Production Configuration with 16 Print Engines | Improvement | ||
| Printers Required | 225 x | Fewer | |
| Annual Throughput Per Printer (prints) | 225 x | Higher | |
| Facility Floor Space (sq ft) | 26 x | Lower | |
| Printer Upkeep Labor | 45 x | Lower | |
| Labor Cost | 4 x | Lower | |
| Initial Investment | 23 x | Lower | |
| TCO - 5 Years, Full Fleet | 3.5 x | Lower | |
| Part (1 million units per year) | Improvement | ||
| Cost Per Part (in dollars) | 71 | % | Lower |
| Average Print Time Per Part (in hours) | 14.1 x | Faster | |
| Material Waste (in grams) | 1.5 x | Lower | |
- Fewer printers with better throughput result in lower investment and higher material utilization.
- Cost per Figure 4 produced parts approximately 30% of traditional SLA.
As part of its vertical strategy, 3D Systems will unveil one of its initial solutions for the multibillion-dollar dental industry based on the Figure 4 platform and its NextDent materials. Customers will be able to see the solution at the International Dental Show (IDS) 2017, in Cologne, Germany, March 21-25.
Over time, the company intends to extend the Figure 4 platform application by application to meet specific customer needs across healthcare, aerospace, automotive and durable goods industries.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs, assumptions and current expectations and may include comments as to the company’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems’ precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30 year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models.
More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com
* Figures included in table are estimates based on the results of 3D Systems’ tests conducted in a laboratory setting.