Originally Published MPMN April 2002

INDUSTRY NEWS

Rapid Manufacturing Partnership Formed

Susan Wallace

Early adopters of rapid manufacturing—those who make medical devices such as customized hearing aids, dental devices, and prosthetics—will soon benefit from an agreement recently signed by 3D Systems Corp. (Valencia, CA; www.3dsystems.com) and Raindrop Geomagic (Research Triangle Park, NC; www.geomagic.com). The companies have signed a development, marketing, and sales agreement to provide turnkey hardware and software solutions for rapid manufacturing. They already provide key technology components for a rapid manufacturing process for individually designed orthodontic devices at Align Technology (Santa Clara, CA).

Products scheduled to be created by the partnership will include a 3-D scanner for data capture, software for product design, stereolithography solid imaging systems for rapid development, and stereolithography materials used to produce the end product. Consulting and training on processes, products, and technology will also be made available.

"This agreement reflects a cutting-edge vision of rapid manufacturing," says Grant Flaherty, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for 3D Systems. "We are providing a solution that can significantly reduce the time and cost of getting our customers' products to market."

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