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Tag: 3D Systems

  • 3D Systems Gets Into Medicine With Acquisition Of Medical Modeling

    3D Systems Gets Into Medicine With Acquisition Of Medical Modeling

    3D printing is going to change the face of medicine. That’s at least what some people will tell you. It’s hard not to believe them either as there have already been amazing success stories of lives restored thanks to 3D printing. Now 3D Systems thinks it’s going to be a big business going forward and wants a piece of the pie before anybody else gets to it.

    3D Systems announced today that it has acquired Medical Modeling – “a leading provider of personalized surgical treatments and patient specific medical devices, including virtual surgical planning and clinical transfer tools, using 3D modeling and printing.” Alongside the acquisition, 3D Systems is also consolidating its healthcare division under a single unit led by Medical Modeling President Andy Christensen. He is now 3D Systems’ Vice President of Personalized Surgery and Medical Devices.

    “We are thrilled to become part of 3DS,” said Andy Christensen, President, Medical Modeling. “We already use most of 3DS’ leading professional design-to-manufacturing tools including its Geomagic Freeform modeling software and haptic tools and advanced manufacturing Stereolithography and ColorJet Printing professional-grade 3D printers,” continued Christensen. “Working with surgeons around the world on tens of thousands of patient cases gives us a unique perspective on surgical planning opportunities that, together with 3DS technology platform and resources, could accelerate our global growth and enhance overall patient outcomes.”

    With this acquisition, 3D Systems is aiming to be the largest provider of personalized 3D printed medical devices:

    “The combination of our rapidly growing healthcare business with Medical Modeling’s expanding range of products and services creates the largest 3D printing based personalized surgery and patient specific medical device service capabilities available today,” said Avi Reichental, 3DS President and CEO. “By leveraging our collective expertise, technologies and channels under the capable leadership of Andy Christensen, we plan to deliver an expanding range of direct metal and plastic medical devices designed to address this rapidly expanding opportunity.”

    Medical Modeling is just the latest in a long string of acquisitions made by 3D Systems over the past few years. It’s last acquisition of Digital Playspace put it one step closer to producing 3D printed toys. It’s also getting into the 3D printed food market with its ChefJet Food 3D printer and a partnership with Hershey.

    Image via Medical Modeling

  • 3D Systems Buys Digital PlaySpace To Further Its 3D Printed Toy Ambitions

    3D Systems really wants to be in the toy business. In early January, the company purchased Gentle Giant Studios – a company that makes toys based on popular films and other media. Now the 3D printing giant is going after another side of the toy industry – dollhouses.

    3D Systems announced today that it has acquired Digital PlaySpace for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition gives 3D Systems control over Digital PlaySpace’s “digital play platform that connects brands, retailers and consumers to 3D printable play activities.”

    Digital PlaySpace currently operates two services – Digital Dollhouse and Dreamhouse Designer. The first is a game that allows children to design their own digital dollhouse and even 3D print their designs on a Cube 3D printer or via 3D Systems’ Cubify service. The other is a Facebook app that lets users design their dream house with real products from all over the Web while sharing it with friends.

    “We are excited to have Jesyca and her entire Digital PlaySpace team join our Cubify platform, enabling millions of new users to connect with family, friends and favorite brands in more immersive and socially creative ways,” said Cathy Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer, 3DS. “Digital PlaySpace’s ability to customize and rapidly publish mobile and web 3D printable content provides a differentiated value proposition for brands and consumers alike.”

    While Dreamhouse Designer is an interesting service, its the Digital Dollhouse that 3D Systems obviously wants. The company has been expanding its 3D printing services to cover a wide range of markets. At CES, it invited Makie Labs to come speak on its stage about its own 3D printed doll service, and this acquisition allows 3D Systems to get in on that business as well.

    Outside of toys, 3D Systems has also been heavily investing in the 3D printed food industry. At CES, it announced two 3D food printers – the ChefJet and the ChefJet Pro. The two printers came about after it acquired Sugar Lab – a 3D food printing startup.

    Image via Digital PlaySpace

  • AT&T Adds A 3D Printer To Its Online Store

    As 3D printers continue to become more popular, more and more retail outlets are beginning to carry the devices. Staples became the first major retailer to carry 3D Systems’ Cube 3D printer in retail stores, and Office Depot offers in-store demonstrations for those who want to buy the 3D printer from their Web site. Now a wireless carrier is getting in on the action.

    AT&T has partnered with 3D Systems to sell the Cube 2 3D printer via its Web site. The reason being that the Cube 2 is compatible with many of the wireless devices that it sells. As 3D printers continue to evolve, their reliance on mobile devices will become more apparent. AT&T seems to embracing the trend before it becomes mainstream.

    According to 3ders, AT&T sold out of their initial allotment of Cube 3D printers on Friday. The printer seems to be in stock as of this morning though. It’s a little weird to see such strong sales from a wireless carrier, but it’s always good to see 3D printers doing well in the marketplace.

    So, is there any chance we might see a Cube 3D printer in a retail store? No idea, but we’ve reached out to AT&T to find out if it has any plans to expand its availability. With the wide range of 3D printers that support mobile devices available today, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it start offering MakerBot or Form Labs printers as well.

    Image via AT&T

  • 3D Systems, Hershey Team Up To Develop 3D Printed Food

    At CES, 3D Systems announced its intention to enter the new 3D printed food market with the ChefJet and ChefJet Pro 3D printers. Both printers can layer sugar to create 3D printed candy, cake toppers and other sugar sculptures. Now the company is partnering with one of the biggest chocolate producers in the world to advance 3D printed food technology.

    3D Systems announced this morning that is has entered into a multi-year joint agreement with The Hershey Company to develop 3D printing technologies. To be more specific, the two companies will work on creating edibles, both chocolate and non-chocolate, through 3D printing.

    “We believe that innovation is key to delivering relevant, compelling consumer experiences with our iconic brands,” said William Papa, Vice President and Chief Research and Development Officer, The Hershey Company. “Whether it’s creating a whole new form of candy or developing a new way to produce it, we embrace new technologies such as 3D printing as a way to keep moving our timeless confectionery treats into the future.”

    The agreement will join together “Hershey’s world-class food science and manufacturing expertise with 3DS’ powerful 3D printing technology and knowhow to deliver new consumer experiences.” At CES, we got to see some pretty wild sugar sculptures that are seemingly only possible on 3D printers. This new partnership may help Hershey create new chocolate and candy that defies convention.

    As for 3D Systems, it feels that this partnership will help it make 3D printing even more mainstream.

    “Mainstreaming 3D printing is fundamental to our success and we are fortunate to partner with Hershey, the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and confection to expand the 3D printing experience into delectable edibles,” said Chuck Hull, Chief Technology Officer, 3DS.

    With the partnership just being announced, we won’t see anything emerge from it for a while. Still, it’s exciting to think we’re only a few years away from being able to buy 3D printed chocolate at a store.

    Image via The Sugar Lab

  • Makie Lab Shows Off Its 3D Printed Toys At CES

    Early last year, Makie Lab entered the 3D printing scene with a super cool idea – 3D printed toys. In essence, they took Build-A-Bear Workshop and made it even more customizable thanks to the versatility of 3D printers. Now they’re at CES talking about the work they’re doing to bring toys into the 21st century.

    3D Systems hosted Makie Lab CEO Alice Taylor at their CES booth this week to talk about the process of making 3D printed toys. What with toys being made out of plastic, you’d think it would be pretty easy to make toys out of 3D printers. While that’s technically true, Makie Lab revolutionized the concept by making a Web site where children can design their own toy and then have it shipped to them.

    For its future plans, Makie Lab will launch an online game where players create a digital avatar that explores a virtual game world. Those kids can then have the company send them a 3D printed recreation of their digital avatar.

    In what is perhaps the biggest takeaway from Makie Lab’s presentation is that customization creates a stronger bond between the object and the child. Taylor notes that they have not had a single return in the year they’ve been in business which indicates that children are actually satisfied with the toys.

    Oh, and in case you were wondering, Makie Lab’s dolls are still terrifying:

    Makie Lab Shows Off Its 3D Printed Toys At CES

    Image via Makie Lab

  • Here’s More Info On 3D Systems’ ChefJet Food 3D Printer

    At CES, 3D Systems announced that it would be getting into food printing market with the ChefJet 3D printer. The machine layers liquified sugar to create candy, cake toppers and other tasty treats. The ChefJet is being marketed to professional chefs and bakers, but consumers will no doubt be interested in it as well.

    Upon the initial announcement, we had no tech demo or video to show us how exactly the ChefJet worked. 3D Systems fixed that yesterday evening with a lengthy video that shares more details on the ChefJet. The creators of the ChefJet – The Sugar Lab – said they experimented with 3D printing multiple materials, but ended up focusing on sugar.

    To all you bakers out there, 3D Systems is not trying to put you guys out of a job. The ChefJet is intended to make your jobs easier by making it simple to create complex sugar-based structures for cakes and other baked goods. Despite that, some chefs and bakers may be a little anxious in regards to how this technology will affect their livelihoods.

    3D Systems and The Sugar Lab will be launching the ChefJet and ChefJet Pro later this year. There are already numerous flavors available and it can even print milk chocolate.

    Image via The Sugar Lab

  • 3D Systems Hires will.i.am As Chief Creative Officer

    It’s not uncommon to see tech companies pay celebrities millions of dollars to become their “Chief Creative Officer.” Despite what the company may say, it’s just an endorsement deal that allows them to slap a recognizable face on their products. Now one of the biggest 3D printer manufacturers in the world has joined the trend.

    At CES, 3D Systems announced that will.i.am is the company’s chief creative officer going forward. While it’s unlikely that he’ll actually do any of the work that real creative consultants do, he will give 3D Systems a face to attach to their products as they attract more mainstream attention with their Cube and CubePro 3D printers.

    With the announcement, 3D Systems put together a little video of will.i.am talking up the future of 3D printing with 3D Systems CEO Avi Reichental. It’s obviously a pre-scripted video, but there’s actually some really cool ideas on display. For instance, will.i.am says he envisions a future where 3D printers are at concerts where fans can get custom merchandise that’s exclusive to just that concert.

    Not much is going to change at 3D Systems even with this latest collaboration. At best, his presence will help get more people into 3D printing, whether it be through events set up by 3D Systems or at concerts. I think we’re all ready for a future where a moment at a concert is 3D scanned and then offered as merchandise via a 3D printer.

    Image via 3D Systems/YouTube

  • 3D Systems Brings 3D Printers To The Kitchen With ChefJet

    Since 3D printers went mainstream, people have wanted to know when they can print food. After all, it would be super cool to shrink your kitchen down to a single machine. Well, we’re not quite there yet, but 3D Systems has a new machine that will at least let you 3D print candy.

    At CES, 3D Systems introduced its latest series of 3D printers – the ChefJet. The printer uses melted sugar to create solid sugar creations, like candy or those sugar sculptures that bakers put on cakes. The printer also comes with software called The Digital Cookbook that allows users who have no prior experience with 3D design to create custom candies and sugar sculptures.

    “Food is an incredible platform for creativity, experimentation, and celebration and we are thrilled to place these powerful 3D printers in bakers and chefs’ kitchens,” said Liz von Hasseln, Creative Director Food Products, 3DS. “We invite leading pastry chefs, restaurateurs and event planners to join us in bringing 3D printing into the kitchen.”

    The ChefJet will come in two varieties – the ChefJet 3D printer and the ChefJet Pro 3D printer. The first is a monochrome 3D printer with a small build volume for small candies and cake toppers. It will be sold for less than $5,000 in the second half of 2014.

    The second – the ChefJet Pro – will be a large format 3D printer with a build volume of 10x14x8″ and print in full color. It will be sold for less than $10,000 in the second half of 2014.

    You can check out the ChefJet and ChefJet Pro in this tour of 3D Systems’ CES booth:

    While these are the only two food-based 3D printers from 3D Systems, it probably won’t be for long. NASA has already proven that it can use a 3D printer to make a pizza and Google has a 3D printer that makes pasta. Sooner or later, there will be a market for the kind of instant food machines as seen in The Jetsons.

    Image via 3D Systems/YouTube

  • 3D Systems Announces The CubePro 3D Printer

    3D Systems has been one of the more successful 3D printer companies out there thanks to its affordable Cube desktop 3D printer. Now the company has gone and done it again with a Cube successor that manages to pack in even better 3D printing tech.

    At CES, 3D Systems unveiled the CubePro 3D printer – a 3D printer that boasts three print heads for simultaneous printing in up to three colors. While dual-head extruders are just starting to show up in desktop 3D printers, it’s incredibly ambitious of 3D Systems to go ahead and launch a desktop 3D printer with three extruders.

    Outside of the triple-head extruders, the CubePro also outclasses its predecessor in nearly every way. It has almost twice the build area of the original Cube and double the printing resolution. In short, you’re in for a good time with the CubePro.

    Here are the full specs:

  • Technology: Plastic Jet Printing (PJP)
  • Print jets: Single, Dual or Triple Jets
  • Maximum creation size: 10.8” x 10.45” x 9.5” / 275mm x 265mm x 240mm
  • Material: PLA plastic and ABS plastic
  • Layer thickness: 75 microns, 200 microns, and 350 microns

    • If you want to see more, check out the unveiling video:

    Image via Cubify

  • 3D Systems Enters The Toy Industry With Its Acquisition Of Gentle Giant Studios

    3D printers have the potential to revolutionize a number of industries, especially the toy industry. With 3D printers, toy manufacturers can more easily prototype new designs and even inexpensively create toys using the machines. Now one of the largest 3D printer companies in the world has entered the toy industry in a big way its latest acquisition.

    3D Systems announced today that it has acquired Gentle Giant Studios – a company that does 3D modeling for the entertainment and toy industry. By using 3D printing and scanning, Gentle Giant Studios helps toy companies create toys based on film and TV franchises, like Star Wars, Harry Potter and Marvel.

    “Gentle Giant Studios catapults 3DS’s consumer platform forward with highly curated, licensed characters, content publishing know-how and first-mover experience for the benefit of leading toy companies, movie studios and their merchandising divisions,” said Avi Reichental, President and CEO, 3D Systems.

    So, what does 3D Systems intend to do with its new acquisition? The company says that it wants to “immediately leverage Gentle Giant Studios technology and vast library of digital content into its consumer platform and extend its existing brand relationships to further the reach of 3D scanning, modeling and printing for entertainment, toys, collectibles, [and] action figures in conjunction with numerous blockbuster films and evergreen licensed properties.”

    In other words, 3D Systems is entering the toy industry in a big way with its latest acquisition. Of course, it only makes sense for a 3D printing conglomerate like 3D Systems to have a finger in the toy industry pie, but starting off with such a high profile acquisition just shows that 3D Systems is serious about this.

    It will be interesting to see how, and if, Stratasys responds to this. The other major 3D printing company made waves last year with its acquisition of Objet and MakerBot. Adding a toy company to its portfolio in 2014 certainly wouldn’t hurt.

    Image via Gentle Giant Studios

  • 3D Systems Buys A Chunk Of Xerox For $32.5 Million

    3D Systems has been on a roll over the past few years with it acquiring a number of 3D printer startups and technologies to bolster its own offerings. Now the company is going after a piece of one of the oldest technology firms around.

    3D Systems announced today that it has purchased Xerox’ Wilsonville, Oregon product design, engineering and chemistry group. The group was purchased for $32.5 million in cash, and the deal is expected to be finalized before the end of the year.

    Interestingly enough, this isn’t 3D Systems first time dealing with Xerox. In fact, the 3D printer company has partnered with Xerox over the past 15 years on a variety of projects, including the company’s own Projet 3D printers. With this acquisition, 3D Systems will add Xerox’ talent to its own by opening a R&D facility at the Wilsonville campus.

    “We are pleased to expand our relationship with an innovative partner of the caliber of Xerox and expect that acquiring some of the Xerox Wilsonville engineering team, together with their state-of the-art development labs and selected licensed IP, will catapult our 3D printers’ development and manufacturing capabilities forward,” said Avi Reichental, 3D Systems’ President and CEO. “This bold step is consistent with our belief that we must act quickly and decisively to extend and cement our marketplace leadership position by taking full advantage of the window of unprecedented opportunity in front of us.”

    With this announcement, some may be concerned that Xerox will abandon its current commitments to non-3D printing research. 3D Systems says that it will honor all existing commitments and Xerox will “maintain ink and print head development resources” at its Wilsonville facility. By keeping up the current research and spending more on 3D printers, 3D Systems expects to increase its research spending by 100 percent over the next few years.

    “This deal takes advantage of Xerox’s world-class capabilities and expands our relationship with 3D Systems in the exciting and dynamic 3D printing industry,” said Kevin Warren, President of Xerox Strategic Growth Initiatives. “It emphasizes how we are leveraging our expertise while we continue to evolve our business model and pursue strategic growth opportunities.”

    After the announcement, 3D Systems share price dropped .58 percent to 80.91. Xerox, on the other hand, saw its share price go up 1.22 percent to 11.63.

    Image via 3D Systems

  • Office Depot Expands 3D Printer Demonstrations To 150 Stores

    Earlier this year, Office Depot began to offer in-store demonstrations of the Cube 3D printer from 3D Systems. It was apparently a hit as the retailer is now expanding the “3D printing experience” to more stores.

    Office Depot announced this morning that the 3D Systems Cube 3D printing experience will soon be available in 150 retail locations across the country. The move will allow even more customers to see first hand how a 3D printer works. From there, the customer can then purchase their very own Cube 3D or CubeX 3D printer from Office Depot’s Web site.

    “We received an overwhelming response from our initial pilot program in Denver,” said George Hill, Office Depot’s Senior Vice President of Copy and Print Depot. “Customers ranging from tech buffs and entrepreneurs to marketers, educators and stay-at-home parents commented on how they would utilize 3D printing in their lives. With that insight, we knew we needed to expand the scope and offer these demonstrations to markets across the country.”

    While 3D printing demonstrations may have been expanded to 150 stores, they’re still only available in eight states – California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. It should come as no surprise that most of the stores now offering in-store demonstrations are in California and Texas, but it’s a little disappointing that Office Depot isn’t bringing these demonstrations to even more consumers around the nation.

    For those who don’t have a participating Office Depot in your state, you might want to check out Staples. The retailer not only sells the Cube 3D printer through its online store, but its retail locations as well. Staples has all the same colors and plastic cartridges as well so you’re not really missing out. If neither option appeals to you, you can always check out UPS or any of the numerous makerspaces around the country.

    [Image: Office Depot]

  • Staples Becomes The First Major Retail Store To Sell 3D Printers

    Staples Becomes The First Major Retail Store To Sell 3D Printers

    3D printers are still very much intended for industry professionals or hobbyists. That’s going to change within the next five years though, and Staples has decided to get a head start.

    3ders reports that Staples will start offering 3D Systems’ Cube 3D printer at physical store locations by the end of June. If you can’t wait, you can buy the Cube through Staple’s online store today for the relatively low price of $1,299.

    “Staples is excited to bring the power of 3D printing to our customers, by being the first major U.S. retailer to announce the availability of this innovative technology that lets you create fully formed objects in your home or small business,” said Mike Edwards, Staples executive vice president, merchandising.

    Now this is actually a pretty big deal. Before today’s announcement, those looking for 3D printers had to buy them straight from the manufacturer. Retailers were probably cautious about stocking 3D printers because the high price ensures the technology will be a niche product for at least the next few years. With Staples throwing its support behind it, we might see other retailers stocking 3D printers, including cheaper models.

    The Cube from Staples comes with all the benefits of buying one from 3D Systems. In other words, you get to choose your color, including green and pink printers. There’s a wide selection of plastic cartridges, including the more unique materials, as well.

  • CES 2013: 3D Systems Introduces A Faster, Quieter Cube 3D Printer

    There’s a lot of cheap 3D printing options now available to consumers who want to start experimenting with the technology. That being said, all of the cheap options are coming from innovative Kickstarter campaigns. There’s not a lot of cost effective options coming out of the already established players in the industry, but 3D Systems’ newest 3D printer might just do the trick.

    3D Systems announced at CES that it’s readying a next-generation Cube 3D printer for launch later this month. The new Cube builds upon the success of the first one, but adds a number of enhancements that will be welcomed by the 3D printing community.

    “With the next generation Cube, we are giving consumers the best ever at-home 3D printing experience with more options for more fun.” said Cathy Lewis, CMO 3D Systems, “Our growing selection of 3D Apps, designs and lifestyle accessories on Cubify.com makes 3D printing accessible to everyone and our sustainability and safety enhancements makes 3D printing responsible and enjoyable for the entire family.”

    The new Cube is said to be 1.5x faster, and has a quieter print speed. As for materials, it can now print in PLA and ABS plastics. 3D Systems offers 16 different colors in both materials including glow in the dark blue and green. Even better, owners can send empty cartridges back to 3D Systems for recycling while receiving a discount on future cartridge purchases.

    The new Cube 3D printer will ship on January 21, and will retail for $1,299. For only $100 more, 3D Systems will throw in three additional print cartridges, and the company’s design software. It’s a pretty good deal considering that the extras would cost normally $189.