3D Systems

Deals Available From 3D Systems!

As we approach holiday season, many retailers announce big sales on products. It turns out that 3D Systems is no different, announcing a number of deals available for the next several weeks. 

BIG NEWS: 3D Systems CEO Steps Down!

Late yesterday 3D Systems announced their long-time CEO, Avi Reichental, has stepped down, leaving a job opening at the top of one of the largest 3D printing companies in the world today.

The CubeJet Lives!

Well, call us surprised. Hidden among the numerous 3D Systems displays at CES was the still-not-released CubeJet color 3D printer. 

3D Printing Press Release Roundup

This week’s 3D printing press releases from the majors included a number of new products from 3D Systems. 3D Systems announced new flexible materials for their ProJet 5500X, including black and translucent.  3D Systems announced five new materials for their ProJet 1200 3D printer, targeted at Jewelry, Dental, Engineering and Artistic applications 3D Systems announced… Continue reading 3D Printing Press Release Roundup

3D Systems’ Digital Content Strategy

Or should we say, “Strategies”. We’re having a very hard time keeping track of 3D Systems content products. They’ve been rapidly acquiring existing 3D content providers while at the same time developing their own. They’ve entered into partnerships with untold numbers of other 3D services as well.    Why are they doing this? To promote… Continue reading 3D Systems’ Digital Content Strategy

3D Systems is Cooking Up a Chocolate 3D Printer with Hershey’s

3D Systems has fully committed to a food 3D printing strategy. After the surprise announcements of the ChefJet 3D printers, which can print sugar structures in full color (and flavor, too), they’ve announced a joint deal with chocolate conglomerate Hershey’s to develop “innovative opportunities for using 3D printing technology in creating edible foods, including confectionery… Continue reading 3D Systems is Cooking Up a Chocolate 3D Printer with Hershey’s

3D System’s Color 3D Printers

3D Systems recently made a couple of announcements regarding their full-color 3D printers, releasing the new ProJet 4500 and the CubeJet. Both 3D printers are capable of producing full-RGB color solid objects.    They’re both evolutions of the technology 3D Systems obtained when they acquired ZCorp some years ago. ZCorp offered various models that printed… Continue reading 3D System’s Color 3D Printers

Two 3D Printing Companies, Two Big Stars

Some outside the 3D printing community have a hard time connecting with the latest happenings. It can be quite technical at times and it’s even more difficult to relate that technology to one’s personal life. This connection is critical for 3D printing companies because that’s how you persuade the public to buy your products: find… Continue reading Two 3D Printing Companies, Two Big Stars

3D Systems Names Will.I.Am as Chief Creative Officer

We were assembled in sardine-quality packed formation in 3D Systems’ massive booth at CES2014, awaiting some kind of event involving mega-recording star Will.I.Am. Some suspected the artist would play us some tunes, although it seemed quite unlikely as the only musical equipment in the vicinity was 3D Systems’ usual 3D printed band instruments, which are… Continue reading 3D Systems Names Will.I.Am as Chief Creative Officer

3D Systems Announces
 Everything!

Yesterday as CES 2014 opened we had to drop by the 3D Systems booth as they had just that morning released information on multiple new products and services. It’s not the old days when one or perhaps two products appear; today they arrive in batches. We were toured through the new products by a very… Continue reading 3D Systems Announces
 Everything!

What Will 3D Systems Announce at CES 2014?

We knew 3D Systems was set to make significant announcements at CES 2014 in Las Vegas, but now we have a preview. In a press release they said they would make not one, but TWELVE announcements. This is startling, as they previously announced a dozen or so new items at last month’s EuroMold conference in… Continue reading What Will 3D Systems Announce at CES 2014?

3D Systems Steps Into Multi-Material 3D Printing

3D Systems offers a very large suite of 3D printers, from personal to industrial, but none offered before has the capability of their new ProJet 5500x. What’s so different about it?    The ProJet 5500x can print in multiple materials.     To put that in perspective, the only other manufacturer that’s offered such a capability… Continue reading 3D Systems Steps Into Multi-Material 3D Printing

The Village Plastics Acquisition: Explained

We stand corrected: today officials from 3D Systems informed us that in fact, Village Plastics has been supplying them with a very significant portion of the filament plastic used on their Cubify 3D printers. Yesterday we speculated that VP sold plastic only to 3D Systems’ competitors. Who knew?   Now the acquisition makes complete sense.… Continue reading The Village Plastics Acquisition: Explained

3D Systems Acquires Village Plastics

In a totally surprising move, 3D printing giant 3D Systems acquired Ohio-based Village Plastics. VP, best known by their sales outlet Filaco, manufacturers generic plastic filament for personal 3D printers.    The company is known for their high-quality, non-toxic filament and their penchant for experimenting with non-standard materials such as HIPS.    But we’re wondering… Continue reading 3D Systems Acquires Village Plastics

3D Systems Acquires Figulo

3D Systems has made another key acquisition, this time of a small but very interesting provider: Figulo. If you haven’t heard of them, they are perhaps the leading provider of glazed-ceramic 3D prints. We understand their services are used by some of the major 3D print services for outsourced ceramic work.    Why is this… Continue reading 3D Systems Acquires Figulo

We. Touched. It.

The rather simple plastic item shown above happened to be in the possession of certain individuals at 3D Systems’ booth at EuroMold 2013.    What is it, exactly? We don’t really know or care, because that’s not its important characteristic.    It is the very first 3D printed object. Ever.    Made some 30 years… Continue reading We. Touched. It.

3D Systems Explodes with Announcements

3D printing giant 3D Systems isn’t standing still. At the EuroMold exhibition today they announced not one, not two, but twelve products to bolster their already considerable portfolio of equipment, software and services.    They not only announced the products, but showed them at their massive booth at the Frankfurt trade show, staffed by what… Continue reading 3D Systems Explodes with Announcements

3D Systems Partners with Motorola

There are not a lot of details, but an agreement was reached between 3D Systems and Motorola, whereby 3D Systems would produce 3D printed “modules” to be used in Motorola’s modular smartphone venture, Project Ara.    Project Ara intends on devising an open source, “free, open hardware platform for creating highly modular smartphones”, in which,… Continue reading 3D Systems Partners with Motorola

The 3D Printing Patent Backlash Begins

It was inevitable, but the personal 3D printing community is not reacting well to the announcement by Stratasys that it was suing Afinia for patent infringement. It seems that the feeling is that other new 3D printer manufacturers might also become legal targets as patented technology could be found in their equipment.    The image… Continue reading The 3D Printing Patent Backlash Begins

3D Systems’ New Scanning Solution

3D Systems announced an inexpensive personal 3D scanner last week, but they also announced a professional 3D scanning solution, too.    The new GeoMagic Capture bundle is a combination of a blue-LED 3D scanner and application-specific software to integrate the scan directly into several high-end 3D modeling solutions, including: SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, Design X, Design Direct,… Continue reading 3D Systems’ New Scanning Solution

3D Systems Launches 3D Anatomical Service

3D printing giant 3D Systems announced the launch of their new Bespoke Modeling service. It’s a 3D model repository and sharing service, much like others that have emerged in recent years, but there’s a big difference here: this repository is focused on the medical industry.    Why the medical industry? Because there’s an increasing amount… Continue reading 3D Systems Launches 3D Anatomical Service

Exclusive: Inside the CubeX Factory

Hidden in the sleepy coastal town of Clevedon, UK, lies the secret factory that produces 3D Systems’ CubeX 3D printer. We recently toured the factory to find out how these popular machines are created.    Aside from a modest research and development unit, the entire facility is dedicated to production of CubeX’s. It is indeed… Continue reading Exclusive: Inside the CubeX Factory

3D Systems Acquires CDRM

Another week, another acquisition for 3D Systems. While last week they picked up TeamPlatform, a service for aiding 3D model projects, this week they’ve acquired CDRM, a 3D print service bureau located in the UK.    3D Systems has an extensive network of print service bureaus located across the world. These centers are integrated together… Continue reading 3D Systems Acquires CDRM

Will MAKEWithMOTO Visit Your City?

It’s a summer-long road trip for several folks from Motorola, who are promoting the idea of “making” by driving a kind of mobile makerspace around the USA. They say:    This summer, Motorola is hitting the road in a velcro-clad Sprinter van full of the latest prototyping tools (3D printers, laser cutters, soldering stations, etc)… Continue reading Will MAKEWithMOTO Visit Your City?

Cubify Announces Cubify Sculpt

Those software wizards at Cubify are at it again. After generating who-knows-how-many 3D model generators this year, they’ve now released another new tool: Cubify Sculpt.    The new tool hopes to simplify the process of creating 3D models for printing on (presumably) 3D System’s Cube and CubeX personal 3D printers. The theme of this software:… Continue reading Cubify Announces Cubify Sculpt

Should 3D Systems Acquire Formlabs?

We recently noted a pause until September 3rd in the lawsuit between 3D Systems and Formlabs (and Kickstarter) regarding potential violation of 3D Systems patents in Formlab’s Form 1 personal 3D printer, which was massively launched on Kickstarter some months ago.    Formlabs took quick advantage of expiring basic patents on the initial 3D print… Continue reading Should 3D Systems Acquire Formlabs?

Is Sept 3rd An Important Date for Formlabs?

We think it is. Why? First, some background. Formlabs launched one of the most successful new 3D printers in recent memory with their Form 1 resin-based 3D printer. It’s a device capable of 3D printing extremely high-resolution objects reliabily with a technique completely different from most of the other 3D printer manufacturers: photocuring resin with… Continue reading Is Sept 3rd An Important Date for Formlabs?

3D Systems Acquires Phenix Systems

3D Systems continues its acquisition run with the announcement they’ve agreed to take on Phenix Systems, a manufacturer of metal 3D printing devices.    France-based Phenix Systems uses the “Direct Metal Selective Laser Sintering” process, which uses high-powered lasers to fuse layers of metal powder into solid objects at very fine resolutions. The process is… Continue reading 3D Systems Acquires Phenix Systems

New 3D Modeling Interface From 3D Systems?

Another recent announcement from 3D Systems President and CEO Avi Reichental indicated that the company has been seeking ways to simplify the creation of 3D content suitable for 3D printing. Evidently they’ve been working with the Leap Motion 3D sensor in particular, but we have little information beyond that.    The Leap Motion sensor is… Continue reading New 3D Modeling Interface From 3D Systems?

Get Ready For Real Chocolate 3D Printing

At a recent conference 3D Systems President and CEO Avi Reichental spoke of his company’s efforts to produce a true chocolate 3D printer. While the project was classed as “Not Soon”, it does indicate significant interest in 3D food printing.  We also understand that 3D Systems’ main competitor, Stratasys, has applied for a couple of… Continue reading Get Ready For Real Chocolate 3D Printing

3D Systems Rebrands Their Color 3D Printers

After 3D Systems’ acquisition of ZCorp, they found themselves owners of the Zprinter line of the only full-color 3D printers available. These machines continued to be improved and new variations added up until this week.    What happened this week? 3D Systems has rebranded the entire Zprinter line into new ProJet models. No more Zprinters!… Continue reading 3D Systems Rebrands Their Color 3D Printers

Avi Reichental Talks

3D Systems President and CEO Avi Reichental was interviewed by Huffington Post correspondent Lilia Ziamou. The interview material is basic, as it’s intended for folks new to the concept of 3D printing.    However, Reichental spends many words on 3D Systems’ strategy of “democratizing” 3D printing, talking about Cubify, CAD design and the ease of… Continue reading Avi Reichental Talks

3D Systems Splits!

3D printing giant 3D Systems announced plans to split their stock. In the scenario described, owners of 3D Systems stock will receive additional shares. For every two shares owned on February 15th, share owners will receive an additional share. It’s a three-for-two split.     Companies typically split their stock when the value grows significantly.… Continue reading 3D Systems Splits!

Cubify’s AppCreate

Over the past few months we’ve noticed that 3D Systems has relentlessly built features in Cubify to provide generative models to print on their (and other’s) personal 3D printers. You can quickly get a customized 3D model of rings, pictures, bracelets, space aliens, earrings, crowns and probably a few more things after we’ve written this… Continue reading Cubify’s AppCreate

The Cube’s Been Updated

3D Systems’ consumer-level 3D printer has been updated. The friendly-looking Cube of 2013 includes several improvements that should make this machine even more attractive than its 2012 ancestor.    The original cube could print only PLA plastic. While we love PLA, there are times you do need to print ABS plastic, particularly when you need… Continue reading The Cube’s Been Updated

Cubify Capture Announced

Don’t have US$60,000 for a super accurate color 3D scanner? We don’t either, so instead we recommend you try Cubify’s latest app: Cubify Capture. It’s a terrifically simple method to produce a quality 3D scan of objects around you.    Capture uses an approach that’s been used by others: a series of images taken of… Continue reading Cubify Capture Announced

The New CubeX 3D Printer

We wondered what would happen to Bits From Bytes (or “BFB”) as they were known. They last updated their 3D printer line with the 3DTouch about a year ago. Would they announce a new printer in 2013?   Yes and no, it seems. Parent company 3D Systems announced the new CubeX personal 3D printer, the… Continue reading The New CubeX 3D Printer

3D Systems Scoops Up Geomagic

This one is a big deal. Of the many acquisitions completed by 3D Systems, their announcement of the absorption of Geomagic is significant.    First the obvious: Geomagic produces a number of software tools for the 3D industry, including products to design 3D models, perform quality control, handling 3D scans and more. Their products are… Continue reading 3D Systems Scoops Up Geomagic

The Highly Defined 3D Systems ProJet 3500 HDmax

We took a very close look at 3D Systems’ new professional 3D printer, the ProJet 3500 HDmax. This new 3D printer is quite an update over its predecessors, beyond the rather nice exterior rework. It definitely does not look like any other ProJet.    What else has changed? The internal change mainly is the processing… Continue reading The Highly Defined 3D Systems ProJet 3500 HDmax

Visit the Cube Bar!

There are many interesting things to see at Euromold if you’re into 3D printing, but perhaps the most noticeable is 3D Systems’ incredible “Cube Shop and Cafe”. Yes, it’s an actual bar, the first thing you see upon entering Hall 11, home of all 3D printing vendors at this year’s Euromold conference.    The bar’s… Continue reading Visit the Cube Bar!

Cubify Now Macify’d

3D Systems has abruptly introduced a new version of their Cube 3D printer management software (Cubify) specifically for OSX. This is a major step by 3D Systems, who up to now have not offered OS/X-based software for, um, well, anything as far as we can tell.    The software performs well, offering an extremely simple… Continue reading Cubify Now Macify’d

3D Systems’ VisiJet Jewel Automates Jewelry Manufacturing

3D Systems announced the immediate availability of VisiJet Jewel, a new specialized material formulated for high volume jewelry production.  Developed expressly for use with the ProJet 6000 and 7000 professional 3D printers, VisiJet Jewel allows manufacturers to produce master models for direct casting of cost effective jewelry with unparalleled detail, accuracy and quality, in hours… Continue reading 3D Systems’ VisiJet Jewel Automates Jewelry Manufacturing

3D Systems Donates to Singularity U

Singularity University is a specialized institution dedicated to leveraging “the power of exponential technologies to solve humanity’s grand challenges”, and created by forward-looking entrepreneurs Peter Diamandis and Ray Kurzweil. The grand challenges include research in very diverse areas, including energy, security, poverty and space exploration. The institution attracts top level students to work on these… Continue reading 3D Systems Donates to Singularity U

3D Systems Announces Quarterly Results

As one of the two mega-3D publicly-held printing companies in existence today, 3D Systems is obligated to formally report on their finances periodically. We like view them as a kind of bellwether on the state of the 3D printing industry. So how did they do this quarter?   Apparently very well. Their revenue increased a… Continue reading 3D Systems Announces Quarterly Results

Rapidform Joins 3D Systems

In yet another acquisition, 3D Systems has acquired 3D software maker Rapidform.    Rapidform is well known in the 3D industry and provides reverse-engineering software. That means their software accepts a 3D scan and then transforms it into a usable, parametric CAD model. In practice it isn’t totally magic and produce the CAD model at… Continue reading Rapidform Joins 3D Systems

Popular Mechanics Likes The Cube

3D Systems’ new personal 3D printer, The Cube, has been awarded the 2012 Breakthrough Award by Popular Mechanics magazine.    This annual award is presented to a selection of innovators and inventions that the magazine believes have advanced society in some important way.    The Cube was not the only winner; other awardees included: SpaceX’s… Continue reading Popular Mechanics Likes The Cube

3D Systems Gets A TIM

3D Systems has acquired another regional 3D print service bureau: The Innovative Modelmakers BV, a Dutch company. According to 3D System’s press release, TIM is a “leading full service provider of on-demand custom parts services”.    They plan on integrating TIM’s business into the 3D Systems’ already operating On Demand parts service, specifically 3D Systems… Continue reading 3D Systems Gets A TIM

Smithsonian Partners with 3D Systems

In an interesting move the venerable Smithsonian Institution has partnered with 3D Systems to provide “3D printing services and technology”. 3D Systems President and CEO Abe Reichental said:   The Smithsonian has shown both foresight and technological leadership in embracing the potential of 3D printing to preserve and showcase today’s and tomorrow’s collections, making them readily… Continue reading Smithsonian Partners with 3D Systems

Cubify Introduces Bracelets

Well, that didn’t take long! Mere days after introducing web applications capable of dynamically generating rings and earrings to your specifications, 3D Systems has fired up another similar application: Bracelets. It’s very easy to use and offers just the right amount of customization for most people.    The Bracelet app works in a fashion similar… Continue reading Cubify Introduces Bracelets

3D Systems Announces the ProJet 5000

There’s another big dog on the corner and its name is the ProJet 5000. It’s the latest production 3D printer from 3D Systems, offering “maximum productivity in the factory or office”, with a “typical accuracy of 0.025-0.050mm (0.001-0.002 inch) per inch of part dimension “.   This device doesn’t just look big on the outside;… Continue reading 3D Systems Announces the ProJet 5000

3D Systems Announces 2Q2012 Results

3D printing giant 3D Systems has announced their financial results for the second quarter of 2012, and it appears they’re doing just fine.    Compared to this quarter last year, their revenues are up a huge 52%, growing to USD$83.6 million. Evidently all their businesses report growth in this quarter, indicating a very strong operation.… Continue reading 3D Systems Announces 2Q2012 Results

Cubify’s Robots

3D Systems now has robots! Well, not actual robots, but instead a system of 3D models that can be assembled into a huge variety of robot shapes. The robot pieces include arms, legs, torsos, etc., but also accessories such as ray guns and backpacks.   The pieces are intended to be assembled and fit together… Continue reading Cubify’s Robots