ROCK HILL, S.C., Sept. 9, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems Corporation (Nasdaq:TDSC), a leading provider of 3-D Printing, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions, announced today that Acu-Cast Technologies, LLC, a leading Preferred Parts Service Provider (PSP), has ordered its first iPro(tm) SLA(r) 9000 Precision Center and also ordered iPro(tm) conversion kits for its existing fleet of four Viper(tm) Pro SLA(r) Systems, increasing its Precision-Pro-Parts manufacturing capabilities for its customers for the third time within the past 12 months.
Responding to increased demand for Precision-Pro-Parts created by its expanded manufacturing capabilities and successful target marketing effort, Acu-Cast Technologies decided to invest in 3D Systems' next generation professional Stereolithography technology for the production of ultra high-definition 'Pro-Parts' from 3D Systems' integrated portfolio of proprietary Accura(r) Plastics. Acu-Cast's fleet of five iPro(tm) 9000 SLA(r) Centers is designed to quickly and economically produce durable plastic parts with unprecedented surface smoothness, feature resolution, edge definition and tolerances that rival the accuracy of CNC-machined plastic parts.
"Over the past 12 months, we revamped our entire Stereolithography parts manufacturing capabilities and invested heavily in targeted marketing activities to promote Acu-Cast as a premier provider of Accura(r) Pro-Parts," said Gary D. Mitchell, owner of Acu-Cast Technologies. "Responding to the growing demand for Precision Pro Parts, we felt the need for additional capacity and the desire to lead in the marketplace with 3D Systems' latest Stereolithography technology."
"We are in business to give our customers what they ask for, and since we installed our first Viper(tm) Pro System we just couldn't keep up with demand for larger precision plastic parts," Mitchell continued. "Now with five iPro(tm) 9000 SLA(r) Precision Centers in-house, we are positioning ourselves as the leading Precision 'Pro-Parts' provider ready to satisfy the most demanding requirements of our growing customer base. As part of our own marketing campaign, we offer the latest 3D Systems' Accura(r) Materials to give our customers fast, high-definition prototyping as part of our mission to become an extension of our customers' design, tool room and manufacturing departments."
Acu-Cast's bold move to invest in 3D Systems' latest technology is based on decades of 3D Systems' patented SLA(r) technology that has been integrated into its new SLA(r) Precision Centers and features its next generation proprietary ProScan(tm) digital scanning system. The ProScan(tm) System is equipped with a new, state-of-the-art SteadyPower(tm) Imager that is designed to deliver consistently reliable output for optimal performance and repeatability comparable to the performance exhibited by traditional CNC Centers, enabling Acu-Cast to build at a faster rate than any currently available system, resulting in a lower part cost.
Acu-Cast decided to convert its entire Viper(tm) Pro fleet to take full advantage of the additional features and benefits of the iPro(tm) 9000 that is designed for the high-production of finely-featured micro parts and the fabrication of extra-large parts.
The easy-to-use iPro(tm) 9000 SLA(r) Center is ideal for a wide range of Design-to-Manufacturing applications. In combination with 3D Systems' versatile portfolio of Accura(r) Plastics, this next generation SLA(r) Center provides better part-building capabilities, superior quality control and faster, cleaner materials' changeover, opening new frontiers of manufacturing productivity for a variety of producers.
"It comes as no surprise to us that once again Gary Mitchell is taking the lead in adopting the next generation SLA(r) technology into his successful business," said Abe Reichental, 3D Systems' president and chief executive officer. "Through his entrepreneurial approach and vast experience, Acu-Cast continues to demonstrate even during challenging economic times the value of our authorized channel to bring the latest, most advanced precision parts and pattern-manufacturing capabilities to the marketplace. As more and more end users recognize the virtues of our 'Pro-Parts' and ask for them by name, the commitment of authorized parts' manufacturing channel partners like Acu-Cast to supply this growing demand is critical to our success in serving the expanding parts and pattern marketplace."
About 3D Systems
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3-D Printing, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions. Its systems and materials reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping as well as for production of functional end-use parts: Transform your products.
More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com
The 3D Systems Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4537
About Acu-Cast Technologies, LLC
Acu-Cast Technologies, LLC, is a one-stop shop specializing in rapid prototyping and short-run manufacturing. Acu-Cast processes are performed in-house to minimize the project turn-around time and to maximize the standard of quality. In-house services consist of aluminum or zinc metal castings, plastic urethane castings, SLA(r) and design models, and high-speed CNC machining. Acu-Cast Technologies is committed to PDQ service. (Prototypes Delivered Quickly)
More information on the company is available at www.acucast.com, or via e-mail at info@acucast.com.
See the iPro(tm) 9000 at the 2008 3D Systems World-Conference
3D Systems plans to display its suite of newly introduced products, including the iPro(tm) 9000 SLA(r) Center and its entire range of system solutions, at its 2008 World Conference from October 20-23, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
For more information, visit www.3dworldconference.com.