3D Systems (TDSC)

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3D Systems Corporation (TDSC) is a provider of rapid 3-D printing, prototyping, and manufacturing solutions. Rapid prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using solid freeform fabrication. The commercial rapid prototyping systems market is nearly two decades old and there are now approximately 50 system or technology vendors worldwide. A substantial number of these companies are small entities, still in the business or technology development phase. More than a dozen of these companies sell stereolithography technology in one form or another. Today, rapid prototyping is used for a much wider range of applications and is even used to manufacture production quality parts in relatively small numbers. Some sculptors use the technology to produce complex shapes for fine arts exhibitions. The market for rapid prototyping systems and materials is highly competitive. 3D Systems tries to differentiate itself by a more comprehensive offering to its customers, all the way from modeling and prototyping to tools and parts. Products include Stereolithography or SLA equipment, selective laser sintering or SLS equipment, and multijet modeling equipment. 3D Systems' products enable the manufacture of three-dimensional (3D) objects from digital data using computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, software utilities, and related computer applications. These systems are used for applications such as prototyping, concept modeling, and three-dimensional printing, as well as for production of functional end-use parts. The company's systems and materials add value by reducing the time and cost of designing products and by facilitating direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. The company has software alliances with SolidWorks Corporation, UGS Solutions, and Raindrop Geomagic, Inc.

In fiscal 2006, products contributed 34.5% of revenue, services contributed 38.6%, and the remaining 26.9% came from materials. Geographically, the company generated 43.5% of fiscal 2006 revenue from its U.S. operations, 40.0% from its European operations, and 16.5% from its Asia-Pacific operations. 3D Systems was founded in 1986, and is based in Valencia, California.

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