WATCH THE FIGURE 4 IN ACTION
At IMTS 2016 3D Systems unveiled its strategy, solutions, partnerships and updated management team to help customers leverage its digital manufacturing solutions and transition from prototyping to production.
“Rapid prototyping was the original application for 3D printing and will continue to be an important part of our business,” sais CEO VJ at the launch event. “However, we believe we have the technology and assets today to make 3D production real and provide profitable growth for our company.”
VJ went on to explain how 3D Systems' digital manufacturing ecosystem enables partners and customers to digitise, design, simulate, manufacture, inspect and manage.
VJ was joined on stage by many partners including Gentle Giant and PTC - who 3D Systems announced a strategic partnership with 3D Systems during the flashy show.
Jim Heppelmann, PTC’s President and CEO, joined Joshi on stage to share how the two companies are working together to integrate 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint SDK into PTC’s flagship Creo CAD platform. The collaboration will provide Creo-users with seamless CAD-to-print functionality as well as a full set of print management tools.
“Partnering with 3D Systems allows our users to take full advantage of the power of 3D printing and work seamlessly from digital design to physical part,” says Heppelmann. “The 3D Sprint SDK integration into Creo is just the beginning of what our two companies can accomplish across the digital manufacturing value-chain.”
At the event VJ also officially launched 3DXpert, 3D Systems’ software solution for streamlining and automating pre- and post-production processes for Direct Metal Printing.
Figure 4 = Digital Injection Moulding?
Parts from 3D Systems Figure 4 3D printing Technology
Parts from 3D Systems Figure 4 3D printing Technology
Throughout IMTS, 3D Systems is demonstrating the latest advancements to its Figure 4 technology, the company’s ultra-fast, modular Stereolithography (SLA) system designed for the production of plastic parts on the factory floor. TCT first saw this technology at CES 2016, when it was then known as SLA-bot1 and a pet project of Chuck Hull and his team.
Since January the machine has had a few iterations and the latest features print speeds of up to 50-times faster than conventional systems as well as the ability to integrate with secondary processes such as finishing and coating. According to 3DS, the productivity and flexibility of the Figure 4 platform make it a viable and intelligent digital alternative to injection moulding.
New management team announced
To help grow and scale the business, strengthen execution, and better reach customers in key markets worldwide, 3D Systems will announce an updated operating framework centered around regional execution teams. To support the implementation of this regional go-to-market model and drive operational excellence across the business, CEO Joshi will present several new additions to his management team. Along with recently-announced CFO John McMullen, these incoming executives each bring significant experience in effectively managing similarly structured organizations and have successful track records working alongside Joshi.
New additions to the 3D Systems’ management team include:
Herbert Koeck, SVP, Go-to-Market, EMEA
Christopher Morgan, SVP, Go-to-Market, Americas and APAC
Jim Ruder, SVP, General Manager, Plastics
Phil Schultz, SVP, On Demand Solutions
Doug Vaughan, SVP, Marketing and Demand Generation
Reinhard Winkler, SVP, Supply Chain
“Our new management team combines the talent and domain knowledge of our existing leadership with new additions who have proven success in executing a regional operating framework that balances growth, capital and operational excellence,” says Vj in the press release. “With this world-class team, I strongly believe we can capitalise on opportunities in global markets and create value for our customers, partners and shareholders.”
