Rock Hill, South Carolina, Oct. 2, 2008 - 3D Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: TDSC), a leading provider of 3-D Printing, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions, announced today the launch of the ProJet™ CPX 3000 3-D Production System, a new high-definition 3-D Printer designed for high-volume, extremely high resolution production of finely detailed RealWax™ patterns from digital data. These RealWax™ patterns can be used for direct investment casting applications using standard investment materials and casting procedures.
The ProJet™ CPX 3000 3-D Production System uses 3D Systems' patented and proprietary Multi-Jet Modeling (MJM) technology combined with new VisiJet® CPX200 wax build material and new VisiJet® S200 dissolvable wax support material to produce 100% RealWax™ patterns that are designed to perform like injected wax patterns in lost-wax casting processes. This Production System is equipped with two selectable build modes: a high definition ("HD") mode for high-speed, high-definition production of small to large parts with excellent surface finish and an extreme high definition ("XHD") mode that delivers a 16 micron layer thickness for extremely high-definition production of parts with the delicate fine-feature detail that are common in many micro-casting applications.
The ProJet™ CPX 3000 System is the only currently available Additive Fabrication system that is capable of producing easy-to-cast, high-precision 100% wax patterns produced at best-in-class production speed and throughput. This new expertly integrated process and materials' production tool is ideal for producing wax patterns for jewelry, apparel, medical instruments and devices, mechanical parts, figurines, replicas, collectables and more. It builds high-quality patterns, including highly complex geometric shapes, that traditional handcrafting techniques and milling processes are not able to create.
Designed for volume production and maximum labor efficiency, the ProJet™ CPX 3000 Production System provides part nesting and stacking to utilize the entire build volume for longer-run unattended operation. Its proprietary single-pass print-head design facilitates the building of multiple parts at the same time without sacrificing build time.
Previously available systems in the marketplace have typically been too slow for demanding manufacturing environments or have only been able to produce patterns from photocurable materials, which can present challenges to achieving desired casting results. The new ProJet™ CPX 3000 3-D Production System is the only commercially available system that offers both high production output and 100% real wax patterns that melt and burn out just like standard casting wax. Its new dissolvable support system is quick and easy to remove leaving smooth support-side surfaces. Both build and support materials are environmentally friendly and require no special handling.
"We are very pleased to be the first to offer a professional precision investment casting tool," said Buddy Byrum, 3D Systems' senior director of 3-D Printing solutions. "We are delighted to deliver a true, fast, 100% wax-based investment casting solution, ideal for foundry and other industry segments that addresses all of the required professional casting requirements and is packed with real cost savings."
3D Systems plans to start shipping the ProJet™ CPX 3000 System during the fourth quarter of this year and will provide live demonstrations and training on this exciting new system at its World Conference from October 20-23, 2008, in Charlotte, NC. Conference and registration information can be found at www.3dworldconference.com.
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3-D Modeling, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions. Its systems and materials reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping as well as for production of functional end-use parts: Transform your products.
More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com, or via email at moreinfo@3dsystems.com.
