- Army lab acquires wide range of 3DS technology for joint materials and applications research
- Army and 3DS scientists to work together on-site at Aberdeen Proving Ground to develop, evaluate, and qualify new materials
- Army 'Open Campus' effort catalyzes innovations for American soldiers and industry through public/private partnership
ROCK HILL, S.C., Oct. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today a partnership with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the nation's premier research center for land forces, to jointly develop 3D printing technology and materials for automotive, medical, wearable, aerospace, and other commercial and defense applications at the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
As part of this agreement, 3DS personnel will serve as guest researchers on-site at Aberdeen Proving Ground to collaborate with the Army's material scientists. Together, Army and 3DS researchers will tap ARL's expansive high-tech materials characterization toolset, as well as bring together scores of leading polymer and metals scientists from the government and industry. 3DS will also work with the Army on hybridized manufacturing applications using 3D printing to allow for logistics innovations such as in-field manufacturing and efficient depot-level repair.
"Additive manufacturing is redefining what is possible. Novel materials research will enable areas like 3D printed electronics and multi-functional structures. The development of hybridized manufacturing technologies will allow in-field manufacturing, efficient depot-level repair and a reduction of the Army's overall logistics burden," said Larry (LJ) Holmes, the Army Research Laboratory's Principal Investigator in this effort. "Equipping our soldiers with the most cutting edge technology requires innovations throughout our supply chain. We are pleased to embark on this cooperative R&D agreement, which will undoubtedly unlock new scientific discoveries and industrial innovation."
Additionally, under the lab's new Open Campus initiative, various companies, universities, and government agencies can apply to access the ARL's newly acquired inventory of 3D printer technologies from 3DS, including a host of the latest state-of-the-art Stereolithography, Direct Metal Printing, and MultiJet Printing machines.
"The United States Army is both a leader and innovator in adopting 3D printing technology," said Neal Orringer, 3DS' Vice President of Alliances and Partnerships. "Through its Open Campus initiative, the ARL is not only advancing high-tech collaboration, but also—more importantly— breaking new ground in fielding new materials and systems that support American soldiers, and we are proud to be the Army's partner."
Development and qualification of new materials and printer technologies under this agreement will enable adoption of this technology within the Army, its industrial base and that of other industries.
ARL will showcase its 3D printing research facilities at its Open Campus Open House on November 3 – 4, 2015 at its Aberdeen Proving Ground campus in Maryland. The event will introduce members of the international science and technology community to the ARL's research scientists and engineers and its specialized laboratory facilities that are available to support joint research. More information can be found here.
Learn more about 3DS' commitment to manufacturing the future today at www.3dsystems.com.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D digital design and fabrication solutions available today, including 3D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. Its powerful ecosystem transforms entire industries by empowering professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life using its vast material selection, including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS' leading personalized medicine capabilities include end-to-end simulation, training and planning, and printing of surgical instruments and devices for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D digital design, fabrication and inspection products provide seamless interoperability and incorporate the latest immersive computing technologies. 3DS' products and services disrupt traditional methods, deliver improved results and empower its customers to manufacture the future now.
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 and commercialized its patented, ground-breaking force-feedback haptic devices in 1993.
- 3DS invented the ColorJet Printing (CJP) class of 3D printers and was the first to commercialize 3D powder-based systems in 1994.
- 3DS invented MultiJet Printing (MJP) printers and was the first to commercialize it in 1996.
- 3DS pioneered virtual surgical simulation (VSSTM) and virtual surgical planning (VSP®) as part of its portfolio of leading 3D healthcare products and services.
- 3DS pioneered scan-based design with the release of the patented Geomagic Design X (XOR) software in 2006.
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.
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