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3D Systems Bespoke Technology Receives International Design Excellence Awards Recognition

– 3D printed hybrid Ekso Bionics robotic exoskeleton design awarded Bronze in the Social Impact Category

– Bespoke Braces given honorable mention in Professional Equipment category

3D Systems

3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today that two of its Bespoke design applications have been awarded by the 2014 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) from the IDSA and Core77. Both the 3D printed personal Ekso robotic exoskeleton and Bespoke Braces for hand and wrist were recognized, with the Ekso being awarded Bronze in the Social Impact category.

Recognizing excellence in all areas of design enterprise, these Design Awards celebrate the richness of the design profession and its practitioners. By recognizing the design inspiration of 3DS’ personalized medical device teams, the awards highlight the rapid progress being made in personalized healthcare for a variety of medical industries by 3DS.

“3D printing and scanning are allowing massive steps forward in the field of custom-designed braces that reflect and support a patient’s unique form,” said Andy Christensen, Vice President of Personalized Surgery and Medical Devices, 3DS. “The work and research being done by our teams represent the cutting edge in patient-specific treatments and it is satisfying to see that work being recognized for the design excellence that results.”

Tad Toulis, IDSA, 2014 IDEA Jury Chair, said “This year’s IDEA jury had a fairly audacious task: judging more than 2,000 entries. We saw a lot of design work that any designer would have been inspired by. Your work demonstrated the kind of creativity and passion the jury believed represents the best our profession can aspire to. Congratulations on your win!”

Bespoke Braces for hand and wrist, currently in its pilot phase, is a first-of-its-kind medical solution to scan, design, and print custom hand and wrist braces. In the Bespoke Braces process, a patient’s arm is scanned and data is transmitted to cloud-based servers where a brace design, customized by the patient and clinician, is created to match the shape of the patient’s individual anatomy. Each brace is then 3D printed using 3DS’ selective laser sintering (SLS) technology for optimal comfort, flexibility and durability. The Bespoke Braces system is comprised of an arm scanner, an iPad app, cloud software, a network of 3D printers, and four revolutionary arm brace designs. This service has recently been expanded to include custom scoliosis braces for children and young adults.

“This product is a strong example of when customization can be leveraged to its true potential, delivering an experience that is integrated, personal and strong application of additive manufacturing processes.” – Core 77 Jury

The robotic exoskeleton announced by 3DS in February 2014 is the first-ever 3D printed hybrid robotic exoskeleton robotic suit, created in collaboration with Ekso Bionics. To create a perfect fit for Amanda Boxtel, the paraplegic patient, engineers scanned the contours of Amanda’s thighs, shins and spine and created a personalized three-dimensional base to form the shape of the required assemblies. Sophisticated mechanical actuators and controls, manufactured and provided by Ekso Bionics, were then integrated with the more fluid components that were 3D printed from the customized scans to create the first ever bespoke suit. View Amanda’s exoskeleton in action here.

To find out more about 3DS’ vision of personalized surgery and medical devices, visit: http://www.3dsystems.com/solutions/healthcare

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About 3D Systems

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D printing centric design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced on-demand custom parts for professionals and consumers alike in materials including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. The company also provides integrated 3D scan-based design, freeform modeling and inspection tools and an integrated 3D planning and printing digital thread for personalized surgery and patient specific medical devices. Its products and services 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 functional parts and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future.

Leadership Through Innovation and Technology

•3DS invented 3D printing with its Stereolithography (SLA) printer and was the first to commercialize it in 1989.

•3DS invented Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing and was the first to commercialize it in 1992.

•3DS invented the Color-Jet-Printing (CJP) class of 3D printers and was the first to commercialize 3D powder-based systems in 1994.

•3DS invented Multi-Jet-Printing (MJP) printers and was the first to commercialize it in 1996.

Today its comprehensive range of 3D printers is the industry’s benchmark for production-grade manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, patient specific medical device and a variety of consumer, electronic and fashion accessories.

More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.

ABOUT THE CORE77 DESIGN AWARDS

Recognizing excellence in all areas of design enterprise, the Core77 Design Awards celebrates the richness of the design profession and its practitioners. For our fourth year, we present 17 categories of entry, providing designers a unique opportunity to communicate the intent, rigor and passion behind their efforts. From client work to self-initiated projects, entrepreneurial to pro-bono engagements, we embrace a wide diversity of design enterprise: commercial, cultural, social, environmental, or discursive. We welcome projects in all these spheres and honor the time, effort and quality of the endeavors, no matter their provenance.

ABOUT CORE77

Since 1995, Core77 has served a devoted global audience of designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, and an extensive event calendar in addition to hosting portfolios, job listings, and a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 also provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibitions.

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The Future of Customized Fab-Grade 3D Printing

Sometimes technological developments are born out of necessity—you have a need, you fill it. But other times technological developments trigger new needs and ideas altogether. 3D printing, for example, really got people thinking about highly customized, highly complex parts. Now, we’re putting it on the fastest track yet to fulfill the promise of highly personalized, mass volume production with 3D printing.

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3D Systems is proud to release some of the first details about our new high-speed, continuous fab-grade printer, an advance that sets a new bar for mass-customization product manufacturing. Whereas 3D printers typically utilize a moving printhead on a stationary bed, the high-speed, continuous fab-grade printer puts the print bed in motion on speedy track system under a set of stationary printheads. The result is a 3D printing assembly line: many products printing at once, all unique, all in full color and multi materials. Parts in varying phases of completion move in a continuous flow. When a part is done, it exits the track for post-processing and a new print bed takes its place. This is high-speed, custom, continuous, and fully automated  manufacturing at its best.

 

This new standard in 3D printing is the engine behind the production of module shells for Google’s Project Ara, the initiative to create a modular smartphone that reflects each person’s unique style as well as choice of functional modules. With this level of speed and accuracy, people will be able to customize the look of their own phone to an extent never before possible. But the high-speed, continuous fab-grade printer’s potential doesn’t stop at cell phones. Take a look at this video to see how far 3D printing has come and how quickly it’s going forward with this high-speed fab-grade platform for the future.

 

This is part of a series of videos from 3DS that demonstrate how its fab-grade printers can manufacture thousands of parts at speeds comparable to traditional injection molding operations. Look at how 3DS is already breaking speed limits today with fab-grade 3D printers that effectively match and exceed the productivity of traditional injection molding in the direct manufacture of functional parts. This breakthrough opens up the possibility of just-in-time, high volume, flexible additive manufacturing using the company’s precision Stereolithography (SLA®) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS®) advanced manufacturing printers, enabling manufacturers to produce functional, precision parts in seconds, without the need for tooling or a lengthy supply chain.

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The EKOCYCLE Cube 3D Printer

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3D Systems’ Fab-Grade 3D Printers Break The Speed Barrier Surpassing Traditional Injection Molding

  • Setting new benchmarks in speed and accuracy, the company’s fab-grade 3D printers deliver high volume manufacturing in seconds without costly tooling or an extended supply chain
  • See how 3D printing competes with injection molding in new video Read more
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3D Systems Announces Cube®3 and CubeProTM 3D Printers

3D Systems  (NYSE:DDD) announced today that its recently unveiled Cube® 3 and CubeProTM 3D printers will commence commercial shipments in the second half of June 2014 and are now available for pre-order on Cubify.com and through Objex Unlimited. Previewed at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, the Cube 3 and CubePro take consumer 3D printing and desktop engineering experience to a new level, with multi-color and multi-materials, the highest resolution available at 70 micron layers, faster print speeds and printing on the go, directly from a smartphone with the new Cubify mobile app, to be released when the printers ship.

Both the Cube 3 and CubePro are designed to fit any lifestyle or workplace with 3D printing made easy and pro. Whether you are an engineer or a fashionista, a kid or a hobbyist, the Cube series can fulfill your complete range of 3D printing needs with expanding materials and design tools that are complemented by 3DS’ Cubify.com, the ultimate destination for users to co-create with brands, stylize printable content added daily and share what they’re making in the Design Feed.

Cube 3 is the only dual material, plug-and-play, kid-safe certified 3D printer that is also the easiest and most affordable to own at $999. Cube comes with two starter cartridges in neon green and white, and 25 designs to get printing quickly.

Cube 3 Features:

Print Fast, Print More – Cube 3 delivers up to 2X faster print speed and accuracy than competitors for printed parts up to 6” cubed. 70 micron-layer thinness gives prints smoothness and fine detail for textures at the highest resolution available in consumer 3D printing today. Full tech specs are available here.

Simultaneous Dual Color + Multi-Material = More Choice – Cube now prints in two materials and up to two colors, simultaneously using compostable PLA and recyclable ABS plastics. Both materials are available in 23 different color cartridges. Cube offers a choice of print mode fill density: hollow, strong and almost solid in both PLA and ABS plastics with optional, easy breakaway supports for the most complex prints.

Instant Load Cartridge – Instant material loading is now easier than changing an ink cartridge. The new non-clog technology and moisture-lock cartridges ensure extended shelf life and total material usage, improving print quality and sustainability. The printer detects material type automatically based on the cartridge, eliminating the need to change print settings. The cartridges are easy to load and store while preserving the life and quality of the materials.

Kid-Safe for Everyone – Cube meets all IEC 60950 Printer Safety Requirements, making it the only consumer 3D printer that is kid-safe for the home and classroom.

Convenience in the Palm of Your Hand – Enjoy the freedom of mobile printing directly from the Cubify app for iOS and Android. Find new things to print in the curated brand collections or browse the Design Feed for inspiration to add to your Shelf. Prep and print from your smartphone direct to Cube.

Easier to Use, Sleeker Design – Building on its iconic design, the new Cube  features a color touchscreen with an intuitive user interface and sleek LEDs highlighting prints in action, and is equipped with faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an auto-leveling printpad and easy support removal on complex prints.

Sustainable Systems – 3DS is committed to making consumer 3D printing affordable, safe and sustainable. Send back empty cartridges to designated 3DS locations for reuse in exchange for a discount on new cartridges and return used ABS and PLA prints for responsible recycling or composting by 3DS. All Cubes will be shipped from local distribution centers reducing freight. Cube comes with a proprietary print pad that conserves power compared to other 3D printers.

The professionally capable CubePro is the only triple material, controlled print chamber, engineer’s desktop 3D printer, that starts at $2,799 making it an affordable tool for the garage entrepreneur at home, independent designer and engineer’s desktop.

CubePro Features:

Print Big, Print Fast – Print more and faster with the largest-in-class print platform, high-resolution prints and quick set up. With prints 2.5 times larger than any other desktop prosumer and hobbyist printer (10.8” x 10.45” x 9.5” or 275 mm x 265 mm x 240 mm), and guaranteed faster, more precise prints with easy feed cartridges for prolonged material life.

Print Precise, Print Professional – Ultra high-resolution settings of 70-micron thin print layers, professional quality printing has never been so easy and fast. Choose automated slicing settings for quick draft prints or utilize Advanced Mode to set custom infill patterns, inner and outer surface layer sizing and outer wall thinness. Full technical specifications are available here.

Controlled Print Chamber – Controlled process environment ensures true to CAD prints and delivers professional quality every time.  Automated settings deliver safe home printing in your mancave, on your workbench and at your desktop.

Triple Color + Materials = Thousands of Options – Available in three print head configurations, CubePro allows users to get more expressive with 3D printing in up to three simultaneous colors and more color options. In addition to ABS and PLA plastic, CubePro also supports a new engineering grade nylon material, perfect for end-use applications, making it a very versatile engineering and hobbyist printer.

Connect Better– Connect intuitively through an easy-to-use color touchscreen display and WiFi capability.

Sustainable Systems – 3DS is committed to making prosumer 3D printing affordable, safe and sustainable. Send back empty cartridges to designated 3DS locations for reuse in exchange for a discount on new cartridges and return used ABS, Nylon and PLA prints for responsible recycling or composting by 3DS. CubePros will be shipped from local distribution centers reducing freight. The new CubePro comes with a proprietary print pad that conserves power compared to other 3D printers.

Which room in your home will your Cube live in? Learn more about 3D printing made easy for your lifestyle here. Watch a video of the new Cube 3 and CubePro.

  • Get There Easy and Print Pro with 3DS’ 2014 desktop Cube printers
  • Beautiful, high-definition 70-micron layer thinness for finer-res prints
  • Instant material loading that is easier than changing an ink cartridge
  • Faster speed with simultaneous multi-material and multi-color printing
  • Cube 3 is priced at easy-to-own $999
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Watch the “3D Printing Designs in Full Color” Webinar

Watch the “3D Printing Designs in Full Color” Webinar here: [hs_action id=”5248″]

On Thursday April 24, 2014, Objex Unlimited and 3D Systems hosted the “3D Printing Designs in Full Color” live webcast, demonstrating the amazing full-color printing capabilities of the ProJet® x60 series and the ProJet® 4500 (the world’s first full-color plastic 3D Printer). The webinar demonstrated to users the amazing potential of 3D Systems’ new ColorJet Printing (CJP) technologies.

If you missed the webinar or would like to view it again, you can view a recording by clicking the “Watch Webcast Now” button above, or by clicking here.

Attendees of the webinar were given the chance to learn, interact and ask questions all about ColorJet Printing. Objex Unlimited took part in demonstrating how they integrate ColorJet Printing technology to help their clients acquire new and recurring business, speed-up product development, and significantly cut ongoing costs.

ColorJet Printing is the only 3D printing technology capable of printing solid, realistic plastic parts in up to 6 million colors for eye-popping, photorealistic models. ColorJet can speed up product development cycles, bring to life demonstration and concept models, and introduce new methods of model-making for architecture, entertainment, and medical field applications. In addition to producing models full-color, CJP is one of the fastest methods of 3D printing, at a speed of one vertical inch-per-hour, without compromising high-resolution, size or complexity.

The ProJet 4500 is the first ColorJet Printer to print in plastic, offering the additional benefits of increased durability and flexibility of models. Objects printed by the 4500 require minimal post processing to look great, and can survive fully submersed in water. A unique feature of the 4500 is the ability to easily map textures onto the models, which not only reduces the amount of work for designers, but allows for unique designs and color gradients on the surface of models.

Objex Unlimited provides 3D printing and scanning services for jewelry design and casting, geospatial prototyping, medical modeling, architectural models, and archaeological modeling, to name a few.

To recap, the webinar explored:

  • Latest developments in ColorJet 3D printing – now in durable plastic with the ProJet 4500
  • ProJet x60 series’ versatile range of full-color 3D printing applications
  • How physical color models help communicate designs more effectively

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Join Us for a Complimentary Live Webcast With 3D Systems

Complimentary Live Webcast 

Endless Applications with ColorJet 3D Printing

 

Explore how Objex Unlimited integrates ColorJet Printing (CJP) technology to help their clients acquire new and recurring business, speed product development schedules and cut costs. Objex Unlimited provides 3D printing and scanning services for jewelry design and casting, geospatial prototyping, medical modeling, architectural models, archaeological modeling.

3D Systems‘ ColorJet Printers set the standard for true, full-color printing, speed and affordability.  See how CJP printers can be used to produce exceptional high-resolution, large architectural models, industrial molds and castings, product design concepts, single-piece scale prototypes and more.

In this live webcast, you’ll learn:

  • ProJet® x60 series’ versatile range of full-color 3D printing applications
  • Latest developments in ColorJet 3D printing – now in durable plastic with the ProJet 4500
  • How physical color models help communicate designs more effectively

If you’re a product designer, engineer, architect, manufacturer, animator or educator, don’t miss this inside look at how 3D Systems and Objex Unlimited engage 3D printing to Manufacture the Future.

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Date:

April 24, 2014

Time:

11 AM EDT / 8 AM PDT

5 PM CET

Duration:

1 hour

Presenters:

Tom Charron – VP Product Marketing – 3D Systems

Steve Cory – President – Objex Unlimited

 

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3DSystems ProJet® 4500

ProJet® 4500

Professional 3D Printer

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The industry’s only continuous tone full-colour plastic 3D printer
Combine the Power of Vibrant Full Colour With Durable Plastic Materials

The ProJet® 4500 gives you the power to make ready-to-use, flexible, strong parts, coloured pixel by pixel, with superior surface quality. This office-friendly 3D printer is quick and efficient, and features intuitive operation controls, so you can ensure high productivity and cut operating costs.

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SEAWEED COULD BE A VITAL INGREDIENT FOR 3D PRINTING BIOPEN

“The world is a complex system of biodiversity, individual components interacting, giving and taking from one another. As we begin to truly understand this concept, we can begin to harness the power of living in symbiosis with our environment.” Take seaweed, for instance. Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia have been farming and processing seaweeds that will then be used biomaterials such as cell carriers in medical implants.

seeeeaaaweeed

Seaweed extracts are already commonly used in variety of goods such as toothpaste, paint, and ice cream.  However, research in the field of glycobiology (the study of complex sugars called glycans in living organisms) is showing that seaweed has a major role to play in the development on new and biologically active materials for medical treatments.

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3D Systems and Hershey Team Up To Deliver 3D Printed Edibles

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  • Co-develop a variety of 3D printed chocolate and non-chocolate products
  • Commercialize new class of consumer and prosumer 3D printers for edibles

 

Release Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014 – 08:30

ROCK HILL, South Carolina –January 16, 2014 – 3D Systems  (NYSE:DDD) today announced that it entered into a multi-year joint development agreement with The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY), the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate, sweets and refreshment, to explore and develop innovative opportunities for using 3D printing technology in creating edible foods, including confectionery treats. The alliance combines Hershey’s world-class food science and manufacturing expertise with 3DS’ powerful 3D printing technology and knowhow to deliver new consumer experiences.

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