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Wohlers Report 2014 History of Additive Manufacturing

COPYRIGHT © 2014 1 WOHLERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

History of additive manufacturing

by Terry Wohlers and Tim Gornet

This34‐pagedocumentisapartofWohlersReport2014andwascreatedforitsreaders.Thedocumentchroniclesthehistoryofadditivemanufacturing(AM)and3Dprinting,beginningwiththeinitialcommercializationofstereolithographyin1987toMay2013.DevelopmentsfromMay2013throughApril2014areavailableinthecomplete276‐pageversionofthereport.AnanalysisofAM,fromtheearliestinventionsinthe1960stothe1990s,isincludedinthefinalseveralpagesofthisdocument.Additivemanufacturingfirstemergedin1987withstereolithography(SL)from3DSystems,aprocessthatsolidifiesthinlayersofultraviolet(UV)light‐sensitiveliquidpolymerusingalaser.TheSLA‐1,thefirstcommerciallyavailableAMsystemintheworld,wastheprecursoroftheoncepopularSLA250machine.(SLAstandsforStereoLithographyApparatus.)TheViperSLAproductfrom3DSystemsreplacedtheSLA250manyyearsago.In1988,3DSystemsandCiba‐GeigypartneredinSLmaterialsdevelopmentandcommercializedthefirst‐generationacrylateresins.DuPont’sSomosstereolithographymachineandmaterialsweredevelopedthesameyear.LoctitealsoenteredtheSLresinbusinessinthelate1980s,butremainedintheindustryonlyuntil1993.After3DSystemscommercializedSLintheU.S.,Japan’sNTTDataCMETandSony/D‐MECcommercializedversionsofstereolithographyin1988and1989,respectively.NTTDataCMET(nowapartofTeijinSeiki,asubsidiaryofNabtesco)calleditssystemSolidObjectUltravioletPlotter(SOUP),whileSony/D‐MEC(nowD‐MEC)calleditsproductSolidCreationSystem(SCS).SonystoppedmanufacturingSLsystemsforD‐MECin2007.In1988,AsahiDenkaKogyointroducedthefirstepoxyresinfortheCMETSLmachine.Thefollowingyear,JapanSyntheticRubber(nowJSRCorp.)andDSMDesotechbegantoofferresinsfortheSony/D‐MECmachines.In1990,ElectroOpticalSystems(EOS)ofGermanysolditsfirstStereosstereolithographysystem.Thesameyear,QuadraxintroducedtheMark1000SLsystem,whichusedvisiblelightresin.Thefollowingyear,ImperialChemicalIndustriesintroducedavisiblelightresinproductforusewiththeMark1000.ICIstoppedsellingitsresinaboutoneyearlaterwhenQuadraxdissolvedduetoalegalconflictwith3DSystems.

Introduction of non-SL systems

In1991,threeAMtechnologieswerecommercialized,includingfuseddepositionmodeling(FDM)fromStratasys,solidgroundcuring(SGC)fromCubital,andlaminatedobjectmanufacturing(LOM)fromHelisys.FDMextrudesthermoplasticmaterialsinfilamentformtoproducepartslayerbylayer.SGCusedaUV‐sensitiveliquidpolymer,solidifyingfulllayersinonepassbyfloodingUVlightthroughmaskscreatedwithelectrostatictoneronaglassplate.LOMbondedandcutsheetmaterialusingadigitallyguidedlaser.CubitalandHelisyshavenotbeeninbusinessformanyyears.Selectivelasersintering(SLS)fromDTM(nowapartof3DSystems)andtheSoliformstereolithographysystemfromTeijinSeikibecameavailable



in1992.Usingheatfromalaser,SLSfusespowdermaterials.TheSoliformtechnologywasoriginallydevelopedbyDuPontundertheSomosnameandwassubsequentlylicensedtoTeijinSeikiforexclusivedistributionrightsinpartsofEastAsia.Alsoin1992,AlliedSignalintroducedvinyletherExactomerresinproductsforSL.In1993,Soligencommercializeddirectshellproductioncasting(DSPC).Usinganinkjetmechanism,DSPCdepositedliquidbinderontoceramicpowdertoformshellsforuseintheinvestment‐castingprocess.MassachusettsInstituteofTechnology(MIT)inventedandpatentedtheprocessthatSoligenused.ThecompanyshutdownitsoperationsinJanuary2006.Thesameyear,DenkenintroducedanSLsystemthatusesasolid‐statelaser.Denken’sSLsystemwasoneofthefirsttofitonabenchtopandwasintroducedatalowprice,comparedtootherSLsystemsthatwereonthemarket.Alsoin1993,3DSystemsandCibacommercializedtheirfirstepoxyresinproduct.Ataroundthesametime,theQuickCastbuildstylewasintroduced.QuickCastisamethodofproducinginvestment‐castingpatternsthataremostlyhollow,makingitpossibletoburnthemoutwithoutfracturingtheceramicshell.Itisstillusedtothisday. 1994wasayearofmanynewadditive‐manufacturingsystemintroductions.ModelMakerfromSolidscape(thencalledSandersPrototype)becameavailable,asdidnewsystemsfromJapaneseandEuropeancompanies.ModelMakerdepositswaxmaterialsusinganinkjetprinthead.OneofthenewJapanesesystemswasasmallstereolithographymachinefromMeikotargetedmainlyatthemakersofjewelry.(MeikoendeditsSLbusinessin2006.)Meanwhile,KiraCorp.commercializedJapan’sfirstnon‐stereolithographysystem.CalledSolidCenter,itusesastandardlaserprinterengine,toner,andanx‐yplotterandknifetoproducewood‐likemodelsbypaperlamination.KirareferredtoSolidCenterasthefirstplain‐paper3Dprinter.Alsoin1994,Fockele&Schwarze(F&S)ofGermanyintroducedastereolithographymachine,butonalimitedbasis.TheGermancompanyEOScommercializedamachinecalledEOSINTbasedonlaser‐sinteringtechnologythesameyear.Japan’sUshio(nowcalledUnirapidInc.)solditsfirststereolithographymachinein1995.

Introduction of low-cost 3D printers

In1996,StratasysintroducedtheGenisysmachine,whichusedanextrusionprocesssimilartoFDMbutbasedontechnologydevelopedatIBM’sWatsonResearchCenter.Aftereightyearsofsellingstereolithographysystems,3DSystemssolditsfirst3Dprinter(Actua2100)in1996,usingatechnologythatdepositswaxmateriallayerbylayerusinganinkjetprintingmechanism.Thesameyear,ZCorp.launcheditsZ4023Dprinter,primarilyforconceptmodeling.BasedonMIT’sinkjetprinting(3DP)technology,theZ402producedmodelsusingstarch‐andplaster‐basedpowdermaterialsandawater‐basedliquidbinder.Alsoin1996,SchroffDevelopmentbegantosellitssemi‐automatedpaperlaminationsystemforunder$10,000.



PersonalModeler2100fromBPMTechnologywassoldcommerciallyin1996.Theballisticparticlemanufacturing(BPM)processdepositedwaxmaterialsusinganinkjetprinthead.ThecompanyceasedoperationsinOctober1997.Alsoin1996,AaroflexcommercializedDuPont’sSomosstereolithographytechnologyintheU.S.Thesameyear,KinergyofSingaporebegantosellitsZippypaperlaminationsystems,whichfunctionedsimilarlytotheLOMprocess.AeroMetwasfoundedin1997asasubsidiaryofMTSSystemsCorp.Thecompanydevelopedaprocesscalledlaseradditivemanufacturing(LAM)thatusedahigh‐powerlaserandpowderedtitaniumalloys.UntilitshutdowninDecember2005,AeroMetmanufacturedpartsfortheaerospaceindustryasaserviceprovider.Alsoin1997,CibapurchasedtheExactomerresinbusinessfromAlliedSignal.In1998,BeijingYinhuaLaserRapidPrototypesMaking&MouldTechnologyCo.,Ltd.steppedupthepromotionofitsproducts.Since1996,TsinghuaUniversityinBeijing—theoriginaldeveloperofthesystems—hasofferedtechnologiessimilartoFDMandotheradditiveprocesses.Thesameyear,AutostradeintroduceditsE‐DARTSstereolithographysystemtocompaniesinJapanfor$25,000.Alsoin1998,Optomeccommercializeditslaser‐engineerednetshaping(LENS)metalpowdersystembasedontechnologydevelopedatSandiaNationalLabs.InMarch1999,3DSystemsintroducedafasterandlessexpensiveversionofActua2100calledThermoJet.Amonthearlier,thecompanyalsobegantosellitsSLA7000systemfor$800,000.Itwasthemostexpensiveplastic‐basedAMsystemonthemarketatthetime.InApril1999,theExtrudeHoneAMbusiness(nowExOne)installeditsfirstProMetalRTS‐300machineforbuildingmetalpartsatMotorola.ThesystemisbasedonMIT’s3DPinkjet‐printingtechnology.Fockele&SchwarzeofGermanyintroduceditssteelpowder‐basedselectivelaser‐meltingsystem,developedincooperationwiththeFraunhoferInstituteforLaserTechnology.Alsoin1999,Rödersbegantosellitscontrolledmetalbuildup(CMB)machine,basedlargelyontechnologydevelopedattheFraunhoferInstituteforProductionTechnology.Thesameyear,DSMpurchasedtheSomosbusinessfromDuPont.InJanuary2000,HelisysannouncedthatToyodaMachineWorksofJapanwouldmanufactureandsellLOMsystemsinJapan.InJune,ToyodashoweditsownmachinebasedonLOMtechnologyatalargeexhibitioninTokyo.Thesamemonth,SandersDesignInternationalannouncedthedevelopmentofamachinenamedRapidToolMaker(RTM).AlsoinJanuary,SandersannouncedthatithadlicensedtheRTMtechnologytotheGermancompanyBussModelingTechnology(BMT),formerlyBussMüllerTechnology,withtheintenttomanufactureandsellitinEurope.Ataroundthesametime,BMTannouncedthatitwouldmanufactureandsellacolor3DprinterbasedonpowderandbindertechnologydevelopedbyAadvanderGeestoftheNetherlands.Theprocesswassimilartothe3DPprocessfromZCorp.



New generation machines

April2000wasamonthfullofnewtechnologyintroductions.ObjetGeometriesofIsraelannouncedQuadra,a3Dinkjetprinterthatdepositedandhardenedphotopolymerusing1,536nozzlesandaUVlightsource.SandersPrototype(nowSolidscape)introducedPatternMaster,amachinedesignedtoproduceprecisionwaxpatterns.PrecisionOpticalManufacturing(POM)announceddirectmetaldeposition(DMD),alaser‐claddingprocessthatproducesandrepairspartsusingmetalpowder.POMbegansystemsalesinearly2002andcontinuestoofferDMDasaservice.ZCorp.introduceditsZ402Cmachine,theworld’sfirstcommerciallyavailablemulti‐color3Dprinter.InJuly2000,StratasysintroducedProdigy,amachinethatproducespartsinABSplasticusingthecompany’sFDMtechnology.InOctober,SandersPrototypeInc.changeditsnametoSolidscapeInc.toavoidmarketconfusionwithSandersDesignInternational.InNovember2000,Helisyscloseditsdoorsaftersellingmorethan375systemsworldwideoveraperiodofnineyears.Thesamemonth,HelisysfounderandLOMinventorMichaelFeyginannouncedtheformationofCubicTechnologies.ThenewcompanyabsorbedmostoftheassetsofHelisys.AlsoinNovember,TeijinSeikiannouncedthatitwouldacquiretheCMETSLtechnologyfromNTTData.ByMarch2001,theacquisitionwascompleteandtheexpandedstereolithographymanufacturerchangeditsnametoCMETInc.In2001,Solidimension(nowSolido)ofIsraelquietlyintroduceditsdesktopmachine,atechnologythatlaminatesthinsheetsofPVCplastic.Thecompanywasslowtoshipmachinestocustomers,eventobetatestsites,andhadplannedtosellmachinesin2002,butdidnot.Finally,in2004,itsolditsfirstmachinestocompaniesinJapan.Alsoin2001,AaroflexandCubitalquietlydisappearedfromtheindustry.Israel‐basedCubitalwasoneofthefirstcompaniestocommercializeanadditive‐manufacturingprocessandsold33systemsoveraspanofeightyears.InFebruary2001,3DSystemsacquiredOptoForm,aFrenchcompanythatdevelopedastereolithographymethodofusingnon‐liquidphotocurablematerials.TheOptoFormtechnologyiscapableofusingceramics,metals,andvariouscompositematerialsintheformofpastes.InMarch2001,ObjetGeometriesbegantoshipabetaversionofitsQuadra3Dprinter.InMay2001,Solidicadisclosedtechnicaldetailsonitsultrasonicconsolidationprocess,andbegantoshipmachinestobetacustomersinlate2001andearly2002.ThetechnologycombinesultrasonicweldingandCNCmachiningtoproducealuminumparts.InSeptember2001,StratasysbeganthecommercialshipmentofitsFDMTitan,amachinecapableofproducingpartsinpolycarbonate,ABS,polyphenylsulfone,andapolycarbonate–ABSblend.InAugust2001,3DSystemscompleteditsacquisitionofDTM.ThemergersparkedanintenseinvestigationbytheAntitrustDivisionoftheU.S.DepartmentofJustice.InSeptember2001,3DSystemsacquiredRPCLtd.,asmallstereolithographyresinproducerinSwitzerland.ThisoccurredontheheelsofHuntsman(thenVanticoandformerlyCiba)severingitslong‐termdistributionrelationshipwith3DSystems.



AtEuroMold2001inlateNovember,EnvisiontecofGermanyshoweditsPerfactorymachine.Thetechnologyusesacrylatephotopolymeranddigitallightprocessing(DLP)technologyfromTexasInstrumentstohardenanentirelayeratonce.AlsoatEuroMold,ZCorp.introduceditsZ810,asystemthatprintspartsina500x600x400mm(20x24x16inch)buildvolumeusing1,800jetsfromsixHPprintheads.In2001,GenerisGmbHofGermanycommercializeditslargeGS1500system.Thesystemusesaninkjet‐printingtechniquetofusetogethersandtoproducesandcoresandmoldsformetalcastings.Laterintheyear,ProMetalinstalleditsfirstRTS‐300machineinEurope.

AlsoatEuroMold2001,ObjetGeometriesintroduceditsQuadraTempoproduct,animprovedversionofitsQuadramachine.EOSannounceditsDirectSteel20‐V1product,asteel‐basedpowderconsistingofparticles20microns(0.0008inch)insize.Thepowderisusedtoproducemetalpartsinlayersthatare20microns(0.0008inch)inthickness.Ataroundthesametime,thecompanyintroduceditsEOSINT380,alaser‐sinteringmachinethatofferedspeedimprovements.

ConceptLaserGmbH,aHofmanncompanyinGermany,introducedanewsystematEuroMold2001thatcombineslasersintering,lasermarking,andlasermachining.Themachineusesanyttrium‐aluminum‐garnet(YAG)laserandstainlesssteelpowdertoproducefullydenseparts.ShanghaiUnionTechnologyCo.,Ltd.(alsoknownasUniontech)ofShanghai,China,begantosellitsSLmachinesinChinain2001.In2001,RSPToolingLLCwasformed.RSPstandsforrapidsolidificationprocess,asteelspraytechniquedevelopedattheIdahoNationalEngineeringandEnvironmentalLaboratory(INEEL).InJanuary2002,RSPToolingannouncedthatithadreachedanagreementtoobtainanexclusivelicensefortheRSPtechnology.AnalphatestmachinewascompletedinFebruary2002.Ohio‐basedBelcanservedasadevelopmentpartnerandinvestor.Inearly2002,StratasysintroduceditsDimensionproductatapriceof$29,900.TheDimensionmachine,whichdepositsABSplastic,isbasedontheformerProdigyproduct.Thesameyear,ConceptLaserGmbHbegantosellitsM3Linearmachine.Alsoin2002,EnvisiontecGmbHbegantosellitsPerfactoryandBioplottermachines.TheBioplotterproducesscaffoldstructuresfromvariousbiomaterialsfortissueengineering.

WuhanBinhuMechanical&ElectricalCo.,Ltd.ofChinabegantoselllamination,lasersintering,stereolithography,andplasticextrusion(similartoFDM)systemsin2002.Thesameyear,SolidscapeintroduceditsT66product,alower‐pricedversionofitsdrop‐on‐demandinkjet‐basedmachine.PhenixSystemsofFrancesolditsfirstPhenix900systemin2002.Themachineusessolid‐phasesinteringtoproduceceramicandmetalparts.Aftermorethantwoyearsofofferingservicesonly,POMbegantosellitsdirectmetaldepositionmachinein2002.ItusesaCO2laser,a3‐axis,overheadgantryCNC‐motionsystem,andmetalpowderstorepairtooling



andaidintheproductionoftoolingcomponents.Meanwhile,SchroffDevelopmentstoppedsellingitsinexpensivepaperlaminationmachines.Menix,Co.,Ltd.ofKoreasolditfirstVLM300variablelaminationmachinesin2002.Thissystemusesa4‐axis,hot‐wirecuttertoslicethroughhigh‐densitypolystyrenesheetsatanangletominimizestairstepping.Themachineiscurrentlypricedatabout$18,000.

InFebruary2003,ZCorp.introduceditsZPrinter310system.Theproduct,thenpricedat$29,900,usestechnologysimilartothecompany’sotherpowder‐based3Dprinters.ItreplacedtheZ400product.Thesamemonth,EOSannouncedthatithadsolditsfirsttwoEOSINTlaser‐sinteringmachinesinNorthAmerica.InMay2003,SonyPrecisionTechnologyAmericabegantomarkettheSonystereolithographymachinesintheU.S.Aspartasettlementbetween3DSystemsandtheU.S.DepartmentofJustice,Sonypurchasedalicensefrom3DSystemstosellstereolithographyinNorthAmerica.Activesalesofthemachineoccurredlaterthatyear.Inmid‐2003,SolidscapeintroduceditsT612systemformakingwaxpatternsforinvestmentcastings.ThebasictechnologyissimilartoSolidscape’sprevioussystems,althoughtheT612isfasterandbuildsmuchbiggerparts.Aroundthesametime,EnvisionteclaunchedthesaleofitssystemsintheU.S.InSeptember2003,itwasannouncedthatStratasyswouldserveasObjetGeometries’exclusivedistributorforitsEdenproductsinNorthAmerica.ThedistributionagreementendedinDecember2006.Inlate2003,3DSystemsbegantosellandshipitsInVision3Dprinter,amachinethatjetsandhardensphotopolymer,similartoObjet’smachines.3DSystemspricedthemachineat$39,900.ThecompanyintroducedtheInVisionHR(highresolution)versionofthemachineinApril2004for$59,900.Chubunipponbegantosellitslow‐costWizaraystereolithographysystemin2003.Themachinebuiltacrylatepartsthatfitinsidea100x100x100mm(4x4x4inch)buildvolumeandsoldforabout¥998,000(~$10,184).

AtEuroMold2003,EOSintroduceditsEOSINTM270directmetallaser‐sinteringmachine.ThesystemusesafiberlaserratherthanaCO2laser,whichisusedintheEOSINTM250Xtendedmachine.AnotherGermancompany,Trumpf,introduceditsTrumaFormLFandTrumaFormDMD505machinesatEuroMold.TheLFmachineusesa250‐wattlaserandfiberopticcabletodirectlightontoabedofpurepowdermetal.TrumpfpartneredwithPOMtoproducetheDMD505machine.The505includesa5‐axismotionsystem.

InMarch2004,Stratasysintroducedthe“Triplets,”whichconsistedofthreevariationsoftheFDMVantagemachine.Pricesrangedfrom$99,000to$195,000.ThemachinesarecapableofprocessingbothABSandpolycarbonatematerials.



InQ22004,EnvisiontecintroducedtheVanquishphotopolymer‐basedsystem.TheVanquishmachineusesdigitallightprocessingtechnologytosolidifyanentirelayeratonce.Unlikethecompany’sPerfactorysystem,Vanquishworksinasimilarwaytotraditionalstereolithographysystems,withthebuildplatformmovingdownwardwitheachlayer.DSMSomosintroducedseveralnewresinsattheApril2005SLA/SLSuserconference,includingananocompositematerial,ahigh‐elongationmaterial,alow‐durometermaterial,aUL94V0flame‐retardantmaterial,andamaterialthatcanwithstandrelativelyhightemperatures.InJuly2004,theProMetaldivisionofExOne(thenExtrudeHone)introducedthesmallRX‐1metal‐basedmachine.Maximumpartsizeis40x60x25mm(1.6x2.4x1inch).TheRX‐1istargetedateducationalandresearchcustomers.AlsoinJuly,3DSystemsannouncedtheBluestonenanocompositeSLresin.Thesamemonth,3DSystemsbegantoshiptheInVisionHR,ahigh‐resolution3Dprintertargetedatthejewelrymarket.TheSinterstationHiQ,alsoreleasedinJuly,addednewclosed‐loopthermalcontrolsandscanningoptionsaimeddirectlyatprocessimprovementforpartproductionapplications.ThistechnologywasalsoofferedasanupgradetotheSinterstation2500plusandVanguardsystems.Solidicasoldandinstalledanewversionofitsultrasonicconsolidationsystem,calledFormation,inSeptember2004.Thesystemwaspricedatabout$400,000.Thefollowingmonth,3DSystemsintroduceditsdual‐vatViperHAstereolithographysystemforthehearingaidindustry.InNovember,ObjetintroduceditsVeroFullCure800seriesopaque‐coloredmaterials.Theyofferimprovedmechanicalpropertiesandbetterdetailvisualization.AtEuroMold2004,EOSintroducedtheEOSINTP385,aplasticmaterialsystemcapableofthinnerlayersthanwerepossiblewithitspredecessor,theEOSINTP380.AlsoatEuroMold,ConceptLaserofGermanyintroducedtheM1cusinglaser‐meltingmachine.ThemachinecanprocessallofthemetalsoftheM3Linearbutitdoesnotsupportlasererosionorlasermarking.NextFactory(nowDWS)introducedtheDigitalWax010andDigitalWax020systems.Bothuseasolid‐statelasertohardenphotopolymer,andwerepricedat€25,000and€35,000,respectively.AlsoinDecember2004,SolidscapeintroducedtheT66BenchtopandT612Benchtopsystemsfor$40,000and$50,000,respectively.Thesystemsdonotrequireair‐conditioningunits,sotheyaresmallerandlighterthanthepreviousmachines.InMarch2005,ZCorp.releaseditslatestcolor3D‐printingsystem,theSpectrumZ510.Itoffersalargerbuildvolume,producesbetterqualitypartsthantheZ406,andislessexpensiveat$49,900.Thesamemonth,StratasysdroppedthepriceoftheDimensionSSTfrom$34,900to$29,900.Themachineoffersasolublesupportremovalsystemthatautomatestheprocess.



InApril2005,3DSystemsunveiledtheSinterstationPro,alarge‐framelaser‐sinteringmachinewithpartbreakout,powderhandling,andrecycling.ItisbuiltontheHiQtechnologyandincludesremovablebuildmodulesanddigitalscanning.TheInVisionLD,manufacturedbytheIsraelicompanySolidoandrebrandedby3DSystems,wasintroducedatapriceof$22,900.ThissystembuildspartsbyselectivelylaminatingPVCsheetmaterial.InJune2005,AspectInc.ofJapanshoweditsSEMplicelaser‐sinteringmachineatalargeexhibitioninTokyo.Thesamemonth,DSMSomossolditslaser‐sinteringtechnologyandpatentportfoliotoValsparCorp.,alargemanufacturerofcoatingsandlaser‐sinteringpowdersinSwitzerland.Amonthlater,ContexScanningTechnologies,aDanishmanufacturerofwide‐formatdocumentscanners,acquiredZCorp.InAugust2005,ObjetGeometriesintroducedtheFullCureTangolineofflexiblematerialsforitsPolyJetsystems.October2005wasanactivemonth.StratasyslauncheditsRedEyeRPMpaidpartsservicebusinesswithonlinequotingand60FDMandPolyJetmachines.ObjetGeometriesintroducedtheEden500V,alarge‐formatPolyJet3Dprinterfor$170,000.ZCorp.introducedthe$25,900ZPrinter310Plus,whichreplacedtheZPrinter310.3DSystemsannouncedthelargeViperProSLA,amodularsystemcapableofrunningsingleordualvatsofresin.InNovember2005,3DSystemsannouncedthatitwouldrelocateitsheadquarterstoRockHill,SouthCarolina.ThecompanyalsoannounceditsnewDuraFormEXpolyamidematerialforitsSinterstationProsystems.Thesamemonth,ExOne’sProMetaldivisionintroducedthesand‐basedS‐Printmachineatabasepriceof$500,000.EnvisionteclaunchedanewversionofitsPerfactorymachine.Meanwhile,MCPToolingTechnologies(nowMTTTechnologiesGroup)introducedtheSLMReaLizer100selectivelaser‐meltingmachine.VoxeljetTechnologyGmbHofGermanyintroduceditsVX800machineandshowedpartsfromitatEuroMold2005.Thelargepowder‐basedsystemuses3DPtechnologyoriginallydevelopedatMITandcommercializedbyZCorp.Thecompanysolditsfirstmachinein2005.InDecember2005,AeroMet,adivisionofMTSSystemsCorp.,ceasedoperations.MTSsaidinanannouncementthatmakingtitaniumpartsfortheaerospaceindustrywasnotaprofitablebusinessmodel.TheSwedishcompanySpeedPart(nowSintermaskGmbHofGermany)begantoshipitssysteminearly2006.Themachineusesinfraredlampstoprojectlightthroughamasktosinteranentirelayerofpowder.Thecycletimeforeachlayerisreportedlylessthan10seconds,regardlessoftheareasintered.InJanuary2006,StratasyssignedanagreementwithArcamtobetheexclusivedistributorinNorthAmericaforelectronbeammelting(EBM)systems.Meanwhile,StratasysloweredthepriceofitsDimensionBSTandSSTmachinesfrom$24,900and$29,900to$18,900and$24,900,



respectively.Inresponsetotheselowerprices,ZCorp.loweredthepriceofitsZPrinter310Plusfrom$25,900to$19,900.AlsoinJanuary,ObjetGeometriesintroduceditsEden350/350Vplatform,whichreplaceditspopularEden330/333system.Atthesametime,thecompanyintroduceditsEden2503Dprinterfor$60,000.Soligenshutdownitsoperationthesamemonthaftermorethan12yearsinbusiness.InFebruary2006,3DSystemsannounceditsInVisionDP(dentalprofessional)systemthatincludesanInVision3Dprinterand3Dscannerforthedentalmarket.StratasysaddedtheVantageXsystemsstartingat$99,000andreducedthepriceofitsVantageimachineto$85,000.3DSystemsreducedthepriceofitsInVisionLD(plasticlamination)productfrom$22,900to$14,900inMarch2006.AlsoinMarch,thecompanyfiledapatentinfringementlawsuitagainstEnvisiontecandSibco.InQ22006,EOSintroducedstainlesssteelandcobalt–chromematerials.InApril2006,StratasysintroducedtheDimension1200BSTandSSTsystemspricedat$21,900and$29,900,respectively.Thefollowingmonth,DesktopFactory(Pasadena,California)announcedthatitwasdevelopinga3Dprinterpricedinthe$5,000to$7,000range.Thedeviceusesaninexpensivehalogenlightsourceanddrum‐printingtechnologytobuildpartsadditivelyfromplasticpowder.

InMay2006,DSMSomosshoweditsNanoTool,ananoparticle‐filledphotopolymerforSLwithhigh‐heat‐resistantcapabilities.DSMalsointroducedProtoCastAF19120,acompletelyantimony‐free,low‐ash‐contentSLresintargetedatinvestmentcasting.DSMSomosalsounveileditsnewhigh‐accuracy,ABS‐likeSLmaterials,ProtoGenO‐XT18120andO‐XT18420.AlsoinMay2006,SonyManufacturingSystemsendeditsstereolithographysalesinNorthAmerica.Underalicensingagreementwith3DSystems,SonybegantoestablishanSLsalesorganizationinCaliforniainQ32002.Inaspanofmorethanthreeyears,thecompanysoldfoursystems.Thesamemonth,3DSystemsreleaseditsAccura60photopolymer,whichissaidtomimicpolycarbonate.Thefollowingmonth,thecompanyannouncedtwoauthorizedserviceproviders:IntegraServicesforitslaser‐sinteringequipmentandTotalCSTeamforSLequipment.TheGermancompanyTrumpfdiscontinueditsTrumaFormLFmachineinQ22006.ThemachineconstructspartsinapowderbedbyselectivelymeltingpowderwithaTrumpfdisklaser.InAugust2006,EOSlauncheditscobalt–chromepowdermaterialfortheEOSINTM270systems.Thesamemonth,ZCorp.introduceditsZScanner700handheld3Dscannerfor$39,900.InOctober2006,EOSannouncedthecommercialavailabilityof17‐4stainlesssteelforusewithitsEOSINTM270equipment.



InNovember2006,3DSystemsopeneditsnewheadquartersinRockHill,SouthCarolina,andStratasysopenedanewofficeinShanghai,China.AtEuroMold2006,severalnewproductswereintroduced.EOSunveiledtheFormigaP100laser‐sinteringsystem,anewmachinethatwasdesignedfromthegroundup.Itcurrentlysellsfor€150,000to€170,000.EOSalsointroducedtwonewhigher‐throughputmachines,theEOSINTP390andEOSINTP730.VoxeljetTechnologyshoweditsVX800machine,whichusesPMMAthermoplasticpowder.EnvisiontecintroduceditssmallPerfactoryDesktopSystem.MTT(thenMCPToolingTechnologies)introduceditsnewSLMReaLizer100selectivelaser‐meltingmachine.NextFactory(nowDWS)introducedafasterstereolithographymachine,aswellasamuchlargersystem.

AspectInc.ofJapanshippeditsfirstSEMplicelaser‐sinteringmachinestocustomersinQ42006,aproductitintroducedmorethanayearearlier.SpeedPartofSweden(nowSintermaskofGermany)solditsfirstsystemsin2006.InQ42006,MeikoofJapanstoppedmanufacturingandsellingSLsystems.Neartheendof2006,TrumpfendeditsagreementwithPOMtosellthelargeDMD505machineinEurope.Attheendoftheyear,StratasysstoppedthedistributionoftheEdenPolyJetproductsforObjetGeometries.Meanwhile,ObjetopenedasalesandsupportofficeinBillerica(nearBoston),Massachusetts.InDecember2006,StratasysinstalledthefirstArcamEBMmachineintheU.S.InJanuary2007,3DSystemsannouncedtheV‐Flash3Dprinter.Itusesfilmtransferandflash‐imagingtechnology.Themachinewasexpectedtosellandshiparoundmid‐2007atapriceof$9,900.Thesamemonth,StratasyslaunchedthenewDimensionElite3Dprinterfor$32,900.Solidscapereleasedtwomarket‐specificmodelsofitsT66machine,theD66fordentalapplicationsinFebruaryandtheR66forthejewelryapplicationsinMarch.Botharecurrentlyabout$36,000.Aroundthesametime,DesktopFactoryreceived“pre‐sales”formostofthe200unitsthatithadplannedtodeliverin2007.The125ci3DprinterwasexpectedtobeinfullproductioninJulyorAugust2007.InMarch2007,ZCorp.introducedtheZPrinter450,thefirstcolor3Dprintertobreakthe$40,000pricepoint.Themostinterestingfeatureofthesystemisitsautomatedremovalandrecyclingofloosepowder.TheZPrinter450isthefirstproductfromZCorp.tobetrulyofficefriendly.AlsoinMarch,SonyManufacturingSystemsstoppedmanufacturingtheSolidCreationSystemforD‐MECofJapan.Thiscameafter18yearsofmanufacturingthefamilyofstereolithographysystems.Atthe20073DSUGUsersConference,DSMSomosintroducedtheDMX‐SL100high‐impact‐resistancematerialforrigorousprototypingandmanufacturingapplications.ItalsointroducedWaterClearUltrawithABS‐likeproperties,resistancetowater,andimprovedclarity.Huntsmanreleasedaresin,initiallynamed71640,forHeCd‐basedSLsystemsthat



offeredlowviscosityandgoodimpactresistance.3DSystemsannouncedtheAccura55resinthatmimicsABS.Alsoatthe3DSUGevent,AdvancedLaserMaterialsreleasedanewfire‐retardantpolyamideforlaser‐sinteringsystems.Itpassedthe60‐secondverticalburntestandoffersNylon11‐likeproperties.ThecompanyalsoshowedahighlyrecyclablepolyamidecompositematerialforLS.SLAMaterialsintroducedthreeSLresins:aclearmaterialcalledHi‐RezzICE,Hi‐RezzMEDformedicalapplications,andHi‐RezzX‐factorthatoffershighstrengthandhigh‐temperaturecapabilities.InApril2007,ArcamintroduceditslargerbuildvolumeA2electronbeammelting(EBM)machine.EOSintroduceditsFormigaP100laser‐sinteringsystemtotheAmericanmarketthefollowingmonth.StratasysannounceditsFDM200mcmachineandtheABSplusmaterial.ZCorp.announcedthezp140compositewater‐curingmaterialthatrequiresnosecondaryinfiltrationorcoatingandthezp131,awhitermaterialforfinerfeatures.ConceptLaserintroducedtheM2cusingsystemforprocessingreactivematerials(i.e.,aluminumandtitaniumalloys).InJuly2007,3DSystemsintroducedtheAccuraExtremeSLresinwithimproveddurabilityandelongation.CRPTechnologyreleaseditsmoreflexible,impact‐resistantWindformFXmaterialforlasersintering.Thesamemonth,StratasysintroducedtheFDM400mcandM30ABSmaterial.Thefollowingmonth,StratasysopenedanewglobalheadquartersfacilityinEdenPrairie,Minnesota.InSeptember2007,DesktopFactoryacceptedadvancereservationsforits$5,0003Dprinter.Thesystemwasoriginallyexpectedtobecomeavailablein2007,butshipmentwasdelayed.AlsoinSeptember,3DSystemsintroducedtheDuraFormHSTfiber‐filledpolyamideforlasersintering,aswellastheAccura48HTRhigh‐temperatureSLmaterial.Meanwhile,ObjetGeometriesintroducedarubber‐likematerialcalledTangoPlus.InOctober2007,VoxeljetintroduceditsVX500system,asmallerversionoftheVX800,for€270,000.DSMSomosintroduceditsWaterClearUltramaterialinNovember2007.Thesamemonth,Envisiontecissuedapressannouncementstatingthatthe3DSystemsV‐FlashinfringesonitsGermanpatents.AccufusiondelivereditsfirstcommercialsysteminNovembertoExeterAdvancedTechnologies(UK),anorganizationthatisapartofaconsortiumledbyAirbus.December2007wasamonthfullofintroductions.Stratasysannouncedtheavailabilityofitslarge‐frameFDM900mc,whichincludes32partsthatweremanufacturedwithFDMtechnology.3DSystemsannouncedanewnanocompositeSLresincalledAccuraGreystone.EOSintroducedanimpact‐resistantLSmaterialcalledPrimePartDCandahigh‐elongation,flexiblematerialcalledPrimePartST.AtEuroMold2007inDecember,EnvisiontecintroducedthePerfactoryXede,amachinethatisdramaticallylargerthanitspreviousPerfactorysystems.Thecompany’sVanquishsystembecamethePerfactoryXtremewithanew“skin.”ThecompanyalsointroducedSI500,



amaterialthatissaidtohaveABS‐likeproperties.Thesamemonth,AdvancedLaserMaterialsannouncedthecommercialavailabilityofitsflame‐retardantFR‐106laser‐sinteringmaterial.AlsoatEuroMold2007,ObjetGeometriesdebuteditsmulti‐materialConnex5003D‐printingsystem.Themachineiscapableofprintingtwobuildmaterialssimultaneously.ItisbasedonObjet’sPolyJetMatrixtechnology.Thecompanycoinedtheterm“digitalmaterial”todescribetheresultofproducingacompositesubstanceusingPolyJetMatrixtechnology.AtEuroMold,SintermaskshoweditsPollux32selectivemask‐sinteringsystem,whichsintersentirelayersatonce.InDecember2007,McorTechnologiesofIrelandinformallyintroduceditsnewMatrixsystemthatusesabladeandadhesivetolaminateA4sheetsofpaper.Thesystemwasexpectedtosellfor€18,900.AlsoinDecember,formerMicrosoftvicepresidentEdFriesannouncedFigurePrints(Redmond,Washington).ThecompanyproducescharactersfromthewildlysuccessfulWorldofWarcraftvideogameusingcolorAMfromZCorp.InJanuary2008,TangibleExpressfiledalawsuitagainst3DSystemsandshutdownitsoperationsinSpringville,Utah.Thefollowingmonth,3DSystemssettledthesuitbypurchasingalloftheequipmentfromTangiblefor$5.3million.StratasysandArcamterminatedthedistributionagreementthatallowedStratasystodistributetheEBMproductsinNorthAmerica.Subsequently,ArcamsetupitsowndirectsaleschannelintheU.S.Thesamemonth,StratasysintroducedtheFDM360mctoreplacetheVantagemachines.3DSystemsreleasedthenextversionofitsMulti‐JetModelingmachine,theProJetHD3000.InFebruary,3DSystemsandMTT(thenMCPToolingTechnologies)announcedaprivatelabelagreementinwhich3DSystemswoulddistributetheselectivelaser‐meltingsystemsintheU.S.StratasysannounceditsDimension1200es3DprinterwithABSplusmaterial.Also,thecompanyannounceditsRedEyearchitecturalmodelingdivision—RedEyeARC.StratasysunveiledabiocompatibleFDMmaterial,ABS‐M30i,inMarch2008.Thesamemonth,3DSystemsannouncedacollaborativematerialsagreementwithTrialCorp.ofJapantodevelopnewLSmaterials.DSMDesotech(a.k.a.DSMSomos)filedalawsuitagainst3DSystemsalleginganticompetitiveconductandpatentinfringement.JohnKawola,alongtimeZCorp.employee,replacedTomClayasCEOofZCorp.MCPToolingTechnologieschangeditsnametoMTT.InApril2008,3DSystemsbegantoshipitsV‐Flashdesktopmodeler,butthensoonstoppedshipment.SalesandshipmentswerestillonholdasofApril2009.Thesamemonth,SolidscapeintroduceditsT76precisionwax‐printingsystem.



InQ22008,Netherlands‐basedShapeways,acompanythatisapartofthePhilipsElectronics’incubatorprogram,rolledoutitsservicetotheworld.Thecompanygivesconsumersarelativelyeasywaytoconvert3Ddesignsintopartsorproducts.Shapewaysoffersarangeof“creator”toolsthatsimplifiestheprocessofdesigningcustomproductsforconsumers.InMay2008,EOSofGermanyintroduceditshigh‐elongationpolyamidePrimePartDCforplasticlasersinteringandStainlessPH1foritsdirectmetallaser‐sinteringplatforms.Optomec(Albuquerque,NewMexico)releaseditsnewLENSMR‐7machinewithafiberlaser,dual‐powderfeeder,andintegratedthermalimagerforprocessmonitoring.OptomecalsoenteredintoanagreementwithManzManufacturingofGermanyforusingtheM3DAeroselJetdepositionsystemforprintingphotovoltaiccells.ArcamofSwedenreleasedtheTitaniumGrade2materialforitselectronbeammeltingsystemsthesamemonth.3DSystemsannouncedanagreementwith3Mtocombineitsdental‐scanningsystemsasoptionswith3DSystems’3D‐printingsystems.InJuly2008,3DSystems,Boeing(USA),EOS,EvonikofGermany,andMTTcreatedaDirectManufacturingResearchCenterwiththeUniversityofPaderborn(Germany).ObjetGeometriesannouncedtheDurusWhiteFullCure430polypropylene‐likematerial.3DSystemsintroducedtheiPro9000SLACenterstereolithographysystemasareplacementtoitsViperProinAugust2008.ThecompanyalsointroduceditsProJetSD30003Dprinter.InSeptember2008,Nuvotronics(Blacksburg,Virginia)announcedthecommercialavailabilityofitsPolyStratamicrofabricationtechnologyforverysmallelectronicandsensingdevices.MilwaukeeSchoolofEngineeringlicenseditsTetraLatticeTechnology,developedinconjunctionwithMaterialiseofBelgium,toDSMSomos.At3DSystems’WorldConferenceinOctober2008,thecompanyshowedthelarge‐frameiPro9000XLSLACenterandtheiPro8000MPSLACenter,whichhasa50mm(2inch)buildheightandtargetsthehearingaid,dental,andmedicalindustries.Anewultra‐clearSLmaterial,AccuraClearVue,wasalsoshown.TheProJetCP300RealWax3Dprinterandalarge‐formatProJet5000werereleased.ThesPro140and230SLSCenterswereshownandhavereplacedtheSinterstationProseries.Thecompanyalsoannouncedtheavailabilityofitspolypropylenelaser‐sinteringmaterial,DuraFormPP100,developedjointlywithTRIALCorporationofJapan.AttheOctoberTCT2008eventinCoventry,England,MTTreleasedalargerselectivelaser‐meltingmachine,theSLM250‐300.Themachineoffersa250x250x300mm(9.8x9.8x11.8inch)buildvolumewithautomatedpowderhandlingandrecycling.Alsoattheevent,McorTechnologiesofIrelandofficiallylauncheditsMatrix3Dprinter.ItusesstandardA4sheetsofpaper,awater‐basedadhesiveforbondingthesheets,andamechanicalbladeforcuttingthecrosssections.Itispricedatabout€25,000.



AlsoatTCT2008,HuntsmanAdvancedMaterialsofSwitzerlandannouncedthedevelopmentofanentirelynewadditive‐manufacturingprocessbasedonMLSMicroLightSwitchtechnology.Ituses40,000microshuttersandarasterapproachtodirectUVlightontothesurfaceofphotopolymer.OctoberwasthemonththatZCorp.chosetoreleasethehigh‐resolution,24‐bitcolorZPrinter650for$60,000.Objetintroducedthe$40,000Alaris30PolyJetmachinethatproduces28‐micron(0.0011‐inch)layersusingtheVeroWhiteFullCure830material.FigurePrintsproduced1,700customproductsusingAMforplayersofWorldofWarcraftinOctober2008.Thiscameonly10monthsafterthecompanylaunchedthemanufacturingservice.InNovember,anotherconsumer‐orientedservice,JuJups.combyGenometriofSingapore,beganmakingcustomChristmasornaments.ThecustomersubmitsaJPGimageofaface,whichisthenusedtoproduceanangelincolorusinga3DprinterfromZ.Corp.Thesamemonth,ObjetreleaseditsEden260Vmachinecapableofrunningarangeofmaterials,includingtheVero,Tango,andDurusWhite.AtEuroMold2008inDecember,HuntsmanAdvancedMaterialsintroducedtheAralditeDigitalis,amachinebasedonMLSMicroLightSwitchtechnology.Thechemistrygiantbelievesthatitisfasterandmoreaccuratethanstereolithography.Huntsmanalsoannouncedanewmaterial,SL7820.Itiswhiteinitsuncuredform,butturnsblackuponexposuretoUV,resultinginblackSLpartswithoutsecondarypainting.AlsoatEuroMold,EOSunveiledanewlarge‐frame,high‐temperature,laser‐sinteringplatform,theEOSINTP800.Itiscapableofprocessingpolymersuptoatemperatureofabout385°C(725°F).ThisexpandsAMtoanewrangeofthermoplastics,suchasPEEK,whichEOSalsointroducedatEuroMold.StratasysannouncedthatitwouldofferULTEM9085foritsFDM900mcand400mcmachines.Thematerialiswidelyusedinaircraftinteriorsforitsflameredundancyandlowsmokeemissions.ConceptLaserofGermanyreleasedanupdatedM1cusingsystem.Thenewmachinehasamorepowerfullaseranda250x250x250mm(9.8x9.8x9.8inch)buildvolume.AlsoinDecember2008,Stratasysintroducedavapor‐honingproductcalledFortusFinishingStationsforfinishingFDMpartsmadeinABS.ElectronicArtsofRedwoodCity,CaliforniaandZCorp.announcedtheavailabilityofSporeSculptor,aserviceforprintingmodelsofSporecreatures.Neartheendof2008,3DSystemssolditsGrandJunction,Coloradofacility.InJanuary2009,70individualsfromaroundtheworldmetattheASTMInternationalheadquartersnearPhiladelphia,PennsylvaniatoestablishASTMCommitteeF42onAdditiveManufacturingTechnologies.Thecommitteewascreatedtoproducestandardsontesting,processes,materials,design(includingfileformats),andterminology.Thesamemonth,theDimension3DPrintingGroupofStratasysintroducedtheuPrintPersonalPrinterfor$14,900.ThemachineusestheABSplusmaterialandsolublesupports.



AlsoinJanuary,Shapeways(Eindhoven,Netherlands)introducedShapewaysShops.Itallowsartists,designers,oranyonetosetup“storefronts”andupload3Dmodelstoselltothepublic.TheproductsaremanufacturedonanAMsystemandshippeddirectlytotheconsumerbyShapeways.Productsincludesculptures,jewelry,figurines,andawiderangeofotherconsumer‐orientedproducts.Pricesstartatafewdollars.InFebruary2009,JérémiePierreGayfoundedCreateItReal(Aalborg,Denmark).Hewasplanningtooffera3DprintercalledthePlatonin2010.AlsoinFebruary,EOSandVictrexoftheUKannouncedanewPEEKmaterial,PEEKHP3,foruseinthehigh‐temperatureEOSINTP800machine.StratasysannouncedapricereductiononitsEliteandBST1200esDimensionmachinesinMarch2009.3DSystemsformedanalliancewithDreveGmbHofGermanytodevelopandmarketdentalapplicationsolutions.FigurePrintsannouncedtheavailabilityofitscustomadditive‐manufacturingserviceinEuropeinMarch2009.Thesamemonth,ReaLizerGmbHofGermanyintroducedtheSLM50,thefirstselectivelaser‐meltingmachinethatfitsonabenchtop.Thesystemmeasures800x700x500mm(31.5x27.6x19.7inches)andprocessesstainlesssteel,toolsteel,cobalt–chrome,andgold.InApril2009,EOSboughtacontrollinginterestinAdvancedLaserMaterials,adeveloperandmanufactureroflaser‐sinteringmaterials.EOSandTrumpfofGermanywithdrewtheirU.S.lawsuitagainstMTTTechnologiesafterMTTagreedtolicensecertainlaser‐sinteringpatentsownedbyEOSandTrumpf.AlsoinApril,BitsfromBytesofEnglandreleasedtheRapMan3Dprinterkit(£750)basedontheRepRapopen‐sourcesystemlaunchedatBathUniversityofEngland.ItusesanextrusionheadsimilartoFDM,includessoftwareforslicingSTLfiles,andsendsthedatatothemachineinG‐codeformat.Thesamemonth,StratasysreleaseditsnewSR‐30supportmaterialforitsABSM‐30material.Thematerialdissolvesabout50%fasterthanitspredecessor.InApril2009,MakerBotIndustriesintroduceditsCupcakeCNCproductbasedontheRepRapopen‐sourcesysteminApril2009.Kitsareavailablefor$750.ProMetalRCT,adivisionofExOne,wasnamedtheNorthAmericandistributorfortheVoxeljet3D‐printingprocess.InMay2009,EOSsolditsfirstEOSINTP800laser‐sinteringmachineforprocessingPEEKandotherhigh‐temperaturematerials.EnvisiontecintroduceditsULTRAbench‐topDLP‐basedsystemfor$35,000.SolidscapeunveileditsPreXactolineof3DdentalprintersanditsnewDentaCastmaterial.3DSystemscommencedshipmentofits$9,900V‐Flash3DprinterthatwasannouncedinJanuary2007.InJune2009,ZCorp.releaseditsnewwater‐curablezp150compositebuildmaterial.3DSystemsreleasedDuraFormFR100,ahalogen‐free,flame‐retardantmaterialforlasersinteringthatmeetsaerospacesmokeandtoxicityrequirements.AlsoinJune,ObjetGeometriesannouncedits



Connex350systemforabout$200,000.LiketheConnex500,itusesthePolyJetMatrixtechnologytoprintmultipledigitalmaterialswithdifferentproperties.AlsoinJune,FujifilmDimatixunveileditsnewDimatixMaterialsPrinterDMP‐3000,whichoffersaprintareaof300x300mm(11.8x11.8inches).Ituseshigh‐definitionprintheadsthatuserscanfillwiththeirownfluids.TheprinterissimilartoOptomec’sAerosolJetnon‐contact,masklesssystemfordirect‐writeelectronics.TheDimatixsystemistargetedattheprintedelectronicsmarketforresearchanddevelopment.InAugust2009,3DSystemsacquiredtheassetsofDesktopFactoryfromIdealab(Pasadena,California).DesktopFactorycreatedanindustrybuzzwhenitannounceda$5,000machineinMay2006.Thesystemusesaninexpensivehalogenlightanddrum‐printingtechnologytobuildpartsinplasticpowder,butthecompanywasunabletocommercializeit.Stratasysannouncedthecompatibilityofitslarge‐frameFortus900mcmachinewithULTEM9085,PC‐ABS,PC‐ISO,andABS‐M30iinAugust.ObjetannouncedanewmaterialpackinOctober2009foritsConnexlineofPolyJetMatrixprintersthatgaveusers18additionalmaterialswithShoreAhardnessfrom27to95.TangoBlackPlusFullCure,amaterialwithrubber‐likeproperties,wasalsoreleased.Thesamemonth,MaterialiseandothervolunteercompaniesturnedovertheRP4BaghdadhumanitarianprojecttoDoctorsWithoutBorders.TheeffortprovidedmedicalassistancetociviliansinIraq.Thesamemonth,ASTMInternationalCommitteeF42onAdditiveManufacturingTechnologiespublishedstandardterminologyfortheindustry—thefirststandardproducedbythegroup.3DSystemspurchasedAcu‐CastTechnologies(Lawrenceburg,Tennessee)andlaunchedit3DpropartsservicebureauinOctober2009.Asthefirstofseveralserviceprovideracquisitions,3DSystemsmarkedtheentranceintothepaidpartsbusiness,effectivelycompetingagainstitsowncustomers.ZCorp.announceditsautomatedmonochromeZPrinter350machinewithautomatedmaterialloadingandintegratedmaterialrecyclinginOctober2009.DSMSomosannouncedthatitsWaterShedXC11122andProtoGen18420materialshavebeenISO10993certifiedforinvitrocytotoxicityandsensitivity.InNovember2009,3DSystemsacquiredAdvaTechManufacturing(Goodland,Indiana).AtEuroMold2009inDecember,EOSannouncedtwonewplasticlaser‐sinteringmachines:theEOSINTP395andEOSINTP760.Thelarge‐frameP760machinecanmonitorlaserpowerduringthebuild.EOSreleasedNickelAlloyIN718(anInconelalloy)andAl‐Si10‐Mg(analuminumalloy)foritsMseriesmetals‐basedmachines.3DSystemsannouncedtheProJet5000,withabuildvolumeof550x393x300mm(21.7x15.5x11.8inches).ItusestheVisiJetMXphotopolymermaterialwithawaxsupportmaterial.



AlsoatEuroMold,Solidorelauncheditsplasticlaminationsystemandcreatedalotofattentionintheprocess.TheSD300Prosystemispricedfrom$2,950to$9,950intheU.S.,alongwiththe$2,950purchasepriceforrequiredsupplies,bringingthetotalto$14,950.CarimaofSouthKoreaintroducedafamilyofthreeDLP‐basedvisiblelightphotopolymer3Dprinters.Theyarepricedfrom$57,000to$59,000andbuildpartsupsidedown,similartothePerfactorysystemfromEnvisiontec.Voxeljetreleaseditsnewlarge‐framemachine,theVX800HP,withincreasedthroughputandhigherresolution.3DSystemsexpandedits3dpropartsservicetoEurope.Neartheendof2009,StevenAdlerofA3DMformedanindependentSolidscapeusersgroupforjewelrydesignersandmanufacturerswhousetheSolidscapeequipment.Anonlineforumwasestablishedatsolidscapeusergroup.com.Meanwhile,adesign‐your‐owntoywebsite,MAQET(maqet.com),waslaunchedbyartistKeithCottingham.InJanuary2010,StratasysandHPsignedanagreementforStratasystomanufactureanexclusivelineofHP‐branded3Dprinters.AlsoinJanuary,StratasysannouncedthenewuPrintPlus,whichoffersaslightlylargerbuildvolumecomparedtouPrint.AlsoincludedareSMARTSupports,whichreducetheuseofsupportmaterialbyupto40%.Thesamemonth,OptomecreleaseditsAerosolJetDisplayLabSystemfortouchscreensanddisplayapplicationsusingdirect‐writetechnology.InFebruary2010,3DSystemsacquiredMoellerDesign(Seattle,Washington)toexpand3Dproparts.OptomecwasawardedaNavycontracttocontinuedevelopingtheLENSprocessforaircraftenginerepair.MaterialisereleaseditsMagicsMetalSGsupportgenerationsoftwareformetaladditivemanufacturing.CRPTechnology(Italy)introducedanewlaser‐sinteringmaterial,WindFormLX2.0.EWIhostedthestartupmeetingforanewAdditiveManufacturingConsortium.InMarch2010,StratasysextendeditsSMARTsupportscapabilitytoitsentirelineofDimensionandFortusmachines,allowingforbuildtimereductionsofupto14%andreductioninsupportmaterialby40%.NetfabbreleasednetfabbEngineforRapManBasic.RapManisa3DprinterfromBitsfromBytes,basedontheRepRapopen‐sourcedevelopment.InApril2010,3DSystemsacquiredDesignPrototypingTechnologies(EastSyracuse,NewYork).Thesamemonth,Materialisecelebratedits20thanniversarywithitsWorldConference2010inLeuven,Belgium.Additionaldevelopmentsin2010includedtheintroductionofcometruejetfromMicrojetTechnologyofTaiwan.Thecompanyofferstwocolorinkjet3DprintersusingtechnologythatisverysimilartothatfromZCorp.IrepaLaserformedEasyCLADSystemstomarketitslasermetaldepositionequipmentusingapowderfedthroughanozzlesimilartoLENS.Theequipmentcanbeusedforlasercladdingorpartconstructionandhasthecapabilityofmulti‐axisandmulti‐materialdeposition.By2011,severalindustrieswereadoptingAMastheirmainmethodofmanufacture.Manufacturersofin‐the‐earhearingaidswerefirsttoadoptAMtechnologyindustrywidefortheproductionofcustom‐fitshells.The



dentalindustrybeganexperiencingthesamepervasivegrowthintheuseofAMsystems.Thedentalmarket,however,ismanytimeslargerthanthatofhearingaids.Thedirectmetalsprocessingtechnologiesgarneredsignificantinterestandgrowth.Itisbelievedthatthepossibilityofnoveldesigns,combinedwithmechanicalpropertiesequivalenttowroughtalloyswithwhichdesignersarefamiliar,mayspeedtheadoptionofmetal‐basedAMatamuchfasterratethanpolymer‐basedAM.Biomedicalandaerospaceapplicationshaveledthewayinthisarea.WhenakeyFDMpatentexpired,inexpensiveequipmentintheformofkitsandfullyassembledmachinesbasedontheRepRapopen‐sourceprojectbecameavailable.Sincetheirintroduction,theselow‐cost“personal”systemshaveexperiencedverystronggrowth.Whencriticalstereolithographyandlasersinteringtechnologypatentsexpire,expectindividualsandorganizationstotakeadvantageofsimilaropportunitieswiththeseprocesses.TheASTMInternationalCommitteeF42onAdditiveManufacturingTechnologiesprogressedimpressively.Theterminologystandardwasthefirsttobecompleted,in2009.TheF42mainballottitledSpecificationforDataExchangeFormatforAdditiveManufacturingstandardwasballotedandapprovedinMay2011asthefirstnon‐terminologystandard.InJuly2010,theASTMF42designsubcommitteereleaseditssurveyonAMdesignrules.ThisworkisseenascriticaltocontinuedadoptionofAMforend‐useproductionparts.InApril2010,Renishawplc(UK)openedadentalmanufacturingfacilitybasedoncobalt–chromiumDMLSforcopingsandframeworks.Shapeways(TheNetherlands),anonlineproviderofconsumer‐orientedproducts,begantoofferAMpartsmadefromglass.AlsoinApril,StratasysbegantodelivershipmentsoftheHP‐brandedFDMmachines.InMay2010,ZCorp.(Burlington,Massachusetts)announcedadistributionagreementwithEnvisiontecforitsUltraDLP‐basedmachine.ItwasmarketedastheZBuilderUltra.3DSystemsannouncedtwonewSLresinsforitslaser‐basedsystems:AccuraPEAK,apolycarbonate‐likematerial,andAccuraCeraMAX,astiff,ceramic‐filledmaterial.AlsoinMay,DSMSomosreleasedNeXt,anABS‐likephotopolymerthatisdurableandwaterresistant.InJuly2010,DeltaMicroFactoryCorp.(Beijing,China)introduceditsextrusion‐basedportablepersonalUP!3Dprinter.Themachinewasofferedforlessthan$3,000.ItisasinglespoolsystemwithaWindows‐basedinterfaceandautomaticsupportgeneration.Thepartqualityisamongthebestofthesystemsinthisclass.3DSystemsacquiredtwoFrenchserviceproviders,CEPandProtometal,inJuly2010.Thesepurchasescontinuedthebuyingspreeof3DSystemsandtheexpansionof3DpropartsinEurope.3Shape(Denmark),adeveloperofautomatedsoftwaretoolsfororthodonticsandhearinginstruments,andObjetteamedtoofferadentalsolutionforusersofObjet’sPolyJet



technology.ZCorp.releasedtwolow‐costprinters,themonochromeZPrinter150atjustunder$15,000,andthecolorZPrinter250atjustunder$25,000.Thiscontinuedtheindustrytrendtowardlowercost3Dprinters.Solidscape(Merrimack,NewHampshire)signedadistributionagreementwithHainanGikingTechnologyCompanyinChinaforitswaxdrop‐on‐demandprintersfordentalapplicationsinAugust2010.Thatsamemonth,HarvestTechnologies(Belton,Texas)openedalargerfacility,anindicationofthestrengthofusingAMforpartproduction—anichethatHarvesthasdeveloped.BitsfromBytes(UK)announcednewsoftware,calledAxon,todriveitskit‐basedRapManandBFB‐3000machine.EOSandGFAgieCharmillespartneredtocreateacompletetool‐makingprocessbasedondirectmetallasersinteringforcreatingtoolswithconformalcoolingandwire/ramEDMforfinalfinishingofthetool.AlsoinAugust2010,Quickpartsannouncedtheavailabilityofanewonlinequotingsystem,QuickCutCNC,fortraditionallymachinedparts.InSeptember2010,Objet(Rehovot,Isreal)reducedthepriceofitsAlaris30printerto$24,900.AlsoinSeptember,INUS(SouthKorea)startedaservicenamedInvisHandstocreatetrueCADdatafrom3Dscanpointclouds.AlocallyinstalledapplicationuploadsthescandatatoINUSwherecompanystaffcreatestheCADmodel.ThefinishedCADmodelcanbeviewedusingthelocalapplication,andiftheuserissatisfied,themodelcanbepurchasedanddownloaded.3DSystemsacquiredserviceproviderExpressPattern(VernonHills,Illinois).ExpressPatterniswellknownforcreatinginvestment‐castingpatternswithSL.Shapewaysreceived$5millioninventurecapitalfunding.3DSystemsboughtBitsfromBytes(UK)inOctober2010.BitsfromBytesofferslow‐cost,extrusion‐basedsystemsinkitandassembledforms.Thisgave3DSystemsafootholdinthehobbyistandeducationalmarkets.3DSystemsacquiredtheserviceproviderProvelofItalythesamemonth.Rhodia(France)announcedtwonewLSmaterials,PA11andPA6.InNovember2010,SpanishresearchcenterIQSannouncedtwonewHydroxyapatite(HA)formulationsforusein3Dprinters.HAisacalcifiablematerialoftenusedinbiomedicalanddentalapplications.3Dprintingisusedforthecreationoftheshape,whilesecondarysinteringisrequiredtoformthefinalpart.EuroMoldinDecember2010broughtmanynewproductannouncements.EOSintroducedtheEOSINTM280system.Themachine’sdual‐modesystemcanruninnitrogenorargonenvironments,enablingcustomerstousematerialssuchasstainlesssteelandcobalt–chrome,aswellastitaniumalloys.NickelAlloyIN625wasannouncedforusewiththenewEOSequipment.Twonewpolymermaterialswerealsoreleased:theflameretardantPrimePartFRandtheflexiblePrimepartST.AlsoatEuroMold,ObjetreleaseditsObjet243Dprinteratalistpriceof$19,900.3DSystemsannouncedtheHD3000plusandtheCPX3000plussystems,whichofferanincreasedbuildsizeinthexdirection,aswellasthinnerlayers.AnewProJetofferingcalledtheProJet6000,whichlooks



likearepackagedViperstereolithographysystemwithvariousbuilddepths,wasalsoannouncedAlsoinDecember,ShapewaysmoveditsheadquarterstoNewYork,NewYork.MeetingswereheldinMay2010andatEuroMold2010thatinvolvedtheCEOsofcompaniesintheAMindustry.InJanuary2011,theCEOsdecidedtofundaninitiativethatwouldattempttobrandadditivemanufacturingtoabroaderaudience.Thesamemonth,itwasannouncedthatSolidohadlaidoffitsworkforceof30employeesandenteredreceivership.ThiscameafterFortissimoCapitalsaiditwouldprovideSolidowith$8.5millioninfinancing.Solidosoldalow‐costmachinethatproducedpartsinPVCbysheetlamination.TheassetsandactivitiesofSolidowereabsorbedbyanewcompanynamedSolidModelLtd.AlsoinJanuary2011,MTTTechnologiessplitintotwocompanies:MTTTechnologiesLtd.(UK)andSLMSolutionsGmbH(Lübeck,Germany).Bothcompaniesareprovidingselectivelasermeltingequipment.3DSystemspurchasedNationalRPSupport(Pella,Iowa),aproviderofSLequipmentmaintenanceandhardwareupgrades.Meanwhile,BotMill(BocaRaton,Florida)releasedtheAxis2.1kitfor$1,065andapreassembled,extrusion‐basedmachineGlider3.0for$1,395.BotharesingleextruderheadmachinesbasedontheRepRapopen‐sourcework.InFebruary2011,CRPTechnology(Italy)introduceditsnextgenerationofcarbon‐fiber‐filledmaterial,WindformXT2.0,withincreasedstrengthandgreaterelongation.Materialiseannouncedanewmaterialwithhighstiffnessandgoodimpactstrength,TuskSolidGrey3000.ThematerialwasdevelopedbyDSMSomosforMaterialise’slargeMammothSLmachines.AlsoinFebruary,3DSystemsacquiredQuickparts(Atlanta,Georgia),ane‐commerceserviceproviderthathadrevenuesof$25millionin2010.InMarch2011,3DSystemsacquiredtheserviceproviderAcceleratedTechnologies(Austin,Texas)andannouncedanewVisiJete‐stonematerialfordental‐specificapplications.Ajudgmentinfavorof3DSystemsagainstEnvisiontecforpatentinfringementwasenteredinMarch,aswell.InApril2011,the3DSUG,ausersgrouppreviouslyonlyavailabletoownersof3DSystemsequipment,openeditsannualconferencetoObjetandEOSusers.The3DSUGmembershipvotedtorenamethegroupAdditiveManufacturingUsersGroup(AMUG)andallowownersandusersofothertechnologiestoalsobecomepartofthegroup.AdvancedLaserMaterials(ALM),astrategicpartnerofEOS,tooka51%stakeinIntegraServices.Integraprovideshardwaremaintenance,upgrades,anddevelopmentofpolymerLSsystems.ObjetannouncednewDigitalMaterialsinApril,includingVeroClear,aclear,ABS‐likematerial,andVeroWhitePlus,amultipurposematerial.AlsoinApril2011,Renishawplc,knownprimarilyforitsmeasurementequipment,acquiredMTTTechnologiesLtd.MaterialisepurchasedMarcamEngineering(Germany),asoftwaredeveloperforAMthatisspecifictometals.3DSystemsannouncedatwo‐for‐onestocksplitthesamemonth.3DSystemsacquiredSycodeSoftwareSolutions(India),a



smallcompanythatdevelopsplug‐insforCADsystems,andPrint3D(India),whichhasanAMquotingplug‐inforCADsoftware.InMay,StratasysacquiredSolidscape,acompanythatoffershigh‐resolution3Dprintersforcreatingwaxpatternsforinvestmentcasting,particularlyforthejewelryanddentalmarkets.3DSystemsacquiredThe3dStudo.com,aproviderof3Dmodels,textures,plug‐ins,galleryart,andstockphotosandimages.Thesamemonth,3DSystemsacquiredFreedomofCreation(FOC),anAmsterdam‐basedcompanythatprovidesprintablecollectionsand3Dcontent.FOC’sprojectshavereceivedagreatdealofattentionoverthecompany’s10+yearsinoperation.InMay,3DSystemsenteredintoadistributionagreementwithVoxeljetTechnologyGmbHforNorthAmerica.AlsoinMay,ObjetreleasedanABS‐likedigitalmaterialandaclear,transparentmaterial,VeroClear.AttheannualRAPIDconferenceinMinneapolis,Minnesota,WilfriedVancraenwasrecognizedwiththeIndustryAchievementAwardforhisextensivecontributionstoAMasfounderandCEOofMaterialise(Belgium).3DSystemstransferredfromtheNASDAQtotheNewYorkStockExchangeunderthetickersymbolDDD,followinga2‐for‐1stocksplitearlierthatmonth.3DSystemsalsoreleasedanewmaterialcalledAccuraCastProforinvestmentcastingpatterns.Optomec(Albuquerque,NewMexico)releasedanewwide‐areaAerosolJetprintheadforuseinprinting3DandconformalelectronicsinJune2011.WhileknownmainlyintheAMindustryforitsLENSequipment,Optomec’sAerosolJetprintinggrewoutoftheDARPAMesoscopicIntegratedConformalElectronics(MICE)program.Itisusedintheprintingof3Delectronics,solarcells,anddisplays.InJuly2011,ObjetreleasedtheObjet260Connex,asmallerbuildvolumemulti‐materialprinterusingitsdigitalmaterialstechnology.Solidscape(Merrimack,NewHampshire)announcedanewmaterial,plusCAST,whichprovidesamoredurablepatternforlostwax‐castingapplications.Delcam(UnitedKingdom)acquiredaportionofAMsoftwaresolutionsproviderFabbifySoftware(Germany).ItisexpectedthatFabbifySoftwarewillassistinintegratingmoreAMapplicationsintotheDelcamdesignandmanufacturingsoftware.InJuly2011,StratasysannouncedanewcrossoverAMmachine,theFortus250mc,whichrunstheABSplusmaterialwithasolublesupportmaterial.Anewstaticdissipativematerial,ABS‐ESD7,wasreleasedforuseontheFortus400mcand900mcplatforms.AlsoinJuly2011,3DSystemspurchasedtheparametricCADsoftwarecompanyAlibre,Inc.(Richardson,Texas).3DSystemshadpreviouslypartneredwithAlibretoofferaCADand3Dprinterbundle.TheASTMInternationalCommitteeF42onAdditiveManufacturingTechnologiesreleasedthespecificationforitsAdditiveManufacturingFile(AMF)format.Thenewformatsupportstextures,functionallygradedmaterialinformation,color,curvedtriangles,andotherelementsnotsupportedbytheSTLfileformat.



InAugust2011,KelyniamGlobal(NewBritain,Connecticut)announcedthatitwasshippingcustom‐madepolyetheretherketone(PEEK)skullimplants.Stereolithographymodelsoftheskull,madefromCTorMRImedicalscandata,areprovidedtothesurgeontoallowforpre‐surgeryplanningwhilethePEEKimplantsarebeingmachined.Itisestimatedthatthiswillreduceoperatingroomtimebyupto85%.AlsoinAugust,ObjetannouncedthatRedingtonIndiawouldbeitsmasterdistributorforIndia.BuildatronSystems(NewYork,NewYork)announcedtheavailabilityofitsRepRap‐basedBuildatron13DprinterinSeptember2011.Thesingle‐materialmachineisofferedasakitfor$1,200andasanassembledsystemfor$2,000.Objetintroducedanewbiocompatiblematerial,MED610,whichcanbeusedwithallofitsPolyJetsystems.Therigidmaterialistargetedatthemedicalanddentalmarkets.Inthesamemonth,3DSystemsacquiredtheAustralianserviceproviderFormeroPty,Ltd.,acompanywithoperationsinChina.3DSystemsreleasedtheProJet1500,amachinebasedonfilmtransferimaging,aswellastheBitsfromBytes3DTouchproduct.IrishsheetlaminationsystemmanufacturerMcorTechnologiesunveiledanewyearly,flat‐feeoptioninanattempttoexpanditsinstalledbase.Solidoodle(Brooklyn,NewYork)introduceditsRepRap‐basedSolidoodle3Dprinterfor$699.ThefounderofSolidoodleisthepreviousCOOofMakerBot,SamCervantes.InOctober,ASTMInternationalandtheInternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO)announcedacooperativeagreementbetweenASTMInternationalCommitteeF42andISOTechnicalCommittee261onAdditiveManufacturing.Theagreementwillreduceaduplicationofeffort.ASTMF42releasedastandardterminologyforcoordinatesystemsandtestmethodologies.AlsoinOctober,3DSystemspurchasedDutchserviceproviderKemoModelmakerijB.VandreleasedtheUSPclassVImaterialVisiJetClearforuseintheProJet6000.Fabrisonic,LLCintroducedanewlineofultrasonicadditivemanufacturingequipmentthesamemonth.FabrisonicisajointventurebetweenSolidica(AnnArbor,Michigan)andEWI(Columbus,Ohio).EOS(Germany)announcedthatithadsurpassed1,000installedlaser‐sinteringmachinesinNovember2011.EarlyinNovember,3DSystemsannouncedthepurchasethephotopolymerbusinessandDigitalisAMmachineassetsofHuntsmanCorp.(TheWoodlands,Texas).Laterinthemonth,3DSystemsannouncedthatitwouldacquire3DprintermanufacturerZCorp.(Burlington,Massachusetts),apurchasethatwasfinancedthrough$152millioninseniorconvertiblenotes.ArcamannounceditsexpansionintoAsiawithasupportoperationinChina.Objetreleaseditsfirsthigh‐temperaturematerial,RGD525,foruseinitsConnex500andEden500Vsystems.InNovember2011,StratasysextendeditsWaterWorkssolublesupportmaterialtoworkwithitspolycarbonatebuildmaterial.Tinkercad(Finland)raised$1millioninseedfundingtocontinuedevelopmentofitsweb‐baseddesignsoftwareandprintingservice.The3Dcontentandon‐



demandservicescompanyShapeways(NewYork,NewYork)announceditsplanstoopenamanufacturingfacilityjustoutsideofNewYork.Kraftwurx(Houston,Texas)unveileditsonlinedigitalmanufacturingandsocialnetworkthatallowsuserstobuyandsellonlinedigitalcontentandhavepartsprintedandshippeddirectlytoconsumers.AtEuroMold,SLMSolutionspresenteditsSLM280HL,whichhasabuildheightof350mm(13.8inches).ArkemalauncheditsNylon11‐basedRilsanInventNaturalmaterialforlasersintering.Asiga(AnaheimHills,California)releaseditsFreeformPico,asmallUVLEDmachinefor$6,990.Itfeatureslayersasthinas1micron(40micro‐inches)andapixelsizeof33microns(0.0013inch).CRPTechnology(Italy)announcedWindformGF2.0,aglassbead‐andaluminum‐filledpolyamide.3DSystemsunveiledasmallerfilmtransferimaging3Dprinter,theProJet1000,for$10,900.AlsoatEuroMold,Matsuura(Japan)displayedahybridmachinetargetedattoolingapplications.TheLUMEXAvance‐25combinesmetallasersinteringandCNCmachining.InJanuary2012,MakerBot(Brooklyn,NewYork)releasedtheMakerBotReplicator,withalargerbuildvolumethanitspredecessor,for$1,749.AsecondextruderheadoptionisavailabletorunmultiplecolorsofABSorPLA.3DSystemsannouncedasub‐$1,300,single‐material,consumer‐oriented3DprintercalledtheCube.Themachinehaswirelessconnectivity,and3Dmodelsthatcanbedownloadedfrom3DSystems’digitaldesignlibrary.TheDepartmentofDefenseplaceda$1millionorderwithStratasysforitsuPrint3DprinterstosupportDoD’sSTARBASEprogram.Itaimstoexposeat‐riskyouthtoscience,technology,engineering,andmathandtheroleofAMinadvancedmanufacturingtechnology.EasyClad(France)introducedtheMAGICLF600large‐frameAMmachineinFebruary2012.Withalargebuildvolumeanduptotwoindependent5‐axiscontrolleddepositionheads,themachinecanbeusedfortooling,repair,andfunctionallygradientmaterialdeposition.3DSystemsannouncedPrint3D,aplug‐inforCADprogramssuchasSolidworksandPro/Engineer.Itgivesdynamicpartcostingforpartsandassembliesthrough3DSystems’ProPartsserviceorganization.ThecompanyalsoreleasedZoom,afast‐curephotopolymerfortheProJet1500filmtransferimagingprinters.InMarch2012,BumpyPhoto(Portland,Oregon)launchedcolor3D‐printedphotoreliefs.Startingwithadigitalphotograph,a3Dheightfieldisgeneratedwithoperatorinputandthenprintedin24‐bitcoloronaZPrinter.Pricesstartat$79fora3Dphotoand$89fora3Dcutout.ThefoundersofMakerBotappliedforthreeseparatepatentsdescribingaconveyor/transportsystemforthecontinuousoperationofa3Dprinter.Inthesamemonth,StratasysandOptomecdisplayedaparthighlightingthecombinationofanFDM‐printedwingstructurewithconformalelectroniccircuitsprintedusingOptomec’sAerosolJettechnology.InApril2012,StratasysandObjetannouncedtheirintentiontomerge.ThecombinedcompanywillbecalledStratasysLtd.,andwillhavedualheadquartersinEdenPrairie,MinnesotaandRehovot,Israel.Theall‐stock



transactionisexpectedtoresultinacompanyvaluedat$1.4billion.DavidReis,currentCEOofObjet,willbetheCEOofthemergedcompany,whileScottCrump,currentCEOofStratasys,willserveaschairman.AlsoinApril2012,3DSystemspurchasedtheserviceproviderParamountIndustries(Langhorne,Pennsylvania)andtheonlinedigitalcontentproviderMyRobotNation.EOSfiledaU.S.patentinfringementsuitagainstPhenixSystems(France)topreventthemarketinganddistributionofthePhenixequipmentintheU.S.AseriousindustrialaccidenttookplaceatanEvonik(Germany)plantthatmakesacriticalcomponentforpolyamide12laser‐sinteringpowders.Themanufacturingdisruptioncouldresultinsupplychainissuesthroughtheendof2012.Justfivemonthsafterintroducingitsfirst3Dprinterfor$699,Solidoodleannounceditssecond‐generationmachinefor$499inApril.TheAdditiveManufacturingUser’sGroup(formerly3DSUser’sGroup)helditsconferenceinCostaMesa,California.WiththeopeningofthegrouptousersofallAMtechnologies,attendancemorethandoubledover2011.StratasysintroduceditsnewMojo3DprinterinMay2012.Thesystem,engineeredfromthegroundup,combinestheextrusionheadandmaterialintoasingleconsumableprintengine.Thenewdesignhaseliminatedtheneedtoreplacetipsandheads,whichcanbeexpensive.TheMojoPrintPackispricedat$9,900andincludestheMojoprinterwithbuildtrays,theWaveWash55supportremovalsystem,andtwoPrintEngines(onebuildandonesupport).

May 2012 through October 2012

InMay2012,Objet(Israel)releasedtheObjet30Pro,asub‐$20,000machinecapableofrunningsevendifferentObjetmaterials,includingthetransparentVeroClear.Solidscape(Merrimack,NewHampshire)announcedthatitsoldits1,000thT76Pluswax‐based3Dprinter.AttheRAPID2012event,DeltaMicroFactoryCorp.(China)releaseditsnewUP!Mini,whichfeaturesaheatedenclosure.3DSystemsacquiredFreshFiber(Netherlands),anonlineconsumergoodswebsite,andBespokeInnovations(SanFrancisco,California),whichdesignscustomfairingsforprostheticlimbs.3DSystemsalsoreleasedtheProJet7000stereolithographymachine.TheDesktopFactoryCompetitionwasalsoannouncedinMay.Entrantscompetedfora$40,000prizeawardedbytheKauffmanFoundationtocreateaninexpensive,open‐sourceABSandPLAfilamentextruder.InJune2012,EOS(Germany)andCooksonPreciousMetals(UK)createdapartnershiptodeveloppreciousmetalalloysforcreatingjewelryinEOSMseriesmachines.MCorTechnologies(Ireland)releaseditsIrisfull‐color,paper–based,sheetlaminationsystem.Shapeways(NewYork,NewYork)announcedthatithadreceivedanadditional$6.1millioninventurecapitalfunding.InJuly2012,Solidscapeintroducedthe3Zlineofhigh‐precisionwax3Dprinters.Italsoreleasedastrongerbuildmaterial,3ZModel,andadissolvablesupportmaterial,3ZSupport.3DMTP(IsraelandBethesda,Maryland)announcedacloud‐basedserviceforautomaticallymanipulatingarchitecturalmodelsfor3Dprinting.3DSystemsacquired



ViztuTechnlogies(Cambridge,Massachusetts)anditsHypr3Dsoftwarethatcreates3Dmodelsfromphotos.StratasysandHPagreedtodiscontinuetheirmanufacturinganddistributionagreementinAugust2012.HPhadsoldStratasysequipmentundertheHPnameinEurope.AlsoinAugust,theU.S.governmentannouncedthewinningteamfortheNationalAdditiveManufacturingInnovationInstitute(NAMII).Thepublic–privatepartnershipwasfundedwith$30millionoffederalfundingandanadditional$39Mprovidedascostshare,mostlyfromindustryandthestatesofOhio,Pennsylvania,andWestVirginia.InSeptember2012,ExOne(Irwin,Pennsylvania)introducedthemid‐rangebuildvolumeFlexPlatform,whichisuptotentimesfasterthanitspredecessor.MakerBotIndustries(Brooklyn,NewYork)announceditsReplicator2and2Xplatforms.Forthesenewmachines,MakerBotchosetomoveawayfromopen‐sourcecapabilitytoproprietarycontrol.Mcorintroducedthelowcost,non‐colorMatrix300+machine.AlsoinSeptember,SigmaLabs,Inc(SantaFe,NewMexico)releaseditsPrintRite3DhardwareandsoftwaretoolsforqualifyingprocessesandcertifyingaerospacepartsproducedinmetalAMprocesses.Envisiontec(Germany)announcedtwonewABS‐likematerials,ABflexandABStuff.CRPTechnology(Italy)releasedacarbon‐filledpolyamide,WindformSP,whichoffersbetterelongationthantheWindformXTcarbonfiber‐filledmaterial.Formlabs(Cambridge,Massachusetts)introduceditssub‐$3,000laser‐basedvatphotopolymerizationsystem,theForm1,onKickstarterinSeptember2012.Itraisednearly$3millioninfundingandmachinepurchasecommitments.Soonafter,3DSystemsfiledapatentinfringementlawsuitagainstFormlabsandKickstarter.FormlabsbeganshipmentsinMay2013.InOctober2012,3DSystemspurchasedInus(SouthKorea),themakerofRapidFormscandatamanipulationandfeaturerecognitionsoftware.ItalsoannouncedthereleaseofitsVisiJetJewelmaterial,alowashcontentcastingpatternmaterialforuseintheProJet6000and7000machines.Shapewaysdetailedthe“FactoryoftheFuture”plannedforitsNewYork,NewYorkmanufacturingfacility.Thefactoryisexpectedtohouseupto50AMmachinesandwillbeabletoprintfivemillionproductsayear.StratasysaddedblackULTEM9085toitsmateriallineup.

November 2012 to May 2013

Solidoodle(Brooklyn,NewYork)releasedtheSolidoodle3Dprinter,sellingfor$499,inNovember2012.Materialise(Belgium)releasedMagics17,thelatestversionofitssoftwarethatiswidelyusedintheAMindustry.3DSystemsreleaseditsVisiJetPearlStonematerialfortheProJet3500seriesaimedatdentalapplications.Staplesannounceditwouldoffercolor3DprintsusingMcorIrismachinesatsomestoresandonlineinpartsofEurope.GEAviationpurchasedMorrisTechnologiesanditssistercompanyRapidQualityManufacturing.Theacquisitionwassignificantbecausethetwocompanieshadmorethan20metal‐basedmachines.



AtEuroMold,Objetlauncheditslarge,wide‐formatObjet1000system.ThesystemiscapableofPolyJetmulti‐materialprintingfoundintheConnexlineofequipment.Voxeljet(Germany)showeditsnovel,continuousprintVXC800machine.Ratherthanprintingontoahorizontalsurface,theVXC800printsonanangledbuildplanethattranslatesonahorizontalconveyoruntilitexitsthemachine.Thiscouldconceivablyallowforunlimitedpartlengthandcontinuousoperation.EOSreleaseditsFormigaP110laser‐sinteringmachineandannouncedtwonewlaser‐sinteringmaterials:PrimePartPlus,withsuperiorrecyclability,andpolyamide11‐basedPA1101.3DSystemsreleasedtwonewhigh‐resolution,largebuildareaProJetmachines,theProJet3500HDMaxandProJet3500CPXMax.ItalsointroducedanewABS‐likematerialfortheProJet3500series,VisiJetX.InDecember2012,OrgonovoHoldings(SanDiego,California)andAutodesk(SanRafael,California)announcedacollaborationtocreatethefirst3Dbioprintingsoftware.Thefirsttestfor3D‐printedtissueswillbeonOrgonovo’sNovoGenMMXbioprinter.StratasysandObjetcompletedamuch‐anticipated,long‐delayedmerger.Itisoneofthelargestmergersinthehistoryofadditivemanufacturing.Ultimaker(Netherlands)announcedtheavailabilityofitsfullyassembledUltimaker3Dprinter.Previously,itwasonlyavailableinkitform.TheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOfficehostedanAdditiveManufacturingPartnershipmeetinginJanuary2013.3DSystemspurchasedGeomagic(Morrisville,NorthCarolina),ascandatamanipulation,inspection,andmodelingsoftwarecompany,andtheFrenchonlinecontentcompanyCoweb.3DSystemsalsoreleasedtheCubeXmulti‐head3Dprinter.Optomec(Albuquerque,NewMexico)releasedanew,high‐resolutionmeltpoolthermalimagingcapabilityforitsLENSequipment.DM3DTechnology(AuburnHills,Michigan)purchasedPOMGroup,whichhaddevelopedthedirectmetaldepositionprocessandequipment.InearlyFebruary2013,theinitialpublicofferingofExOneopenedwiththesale5.3millionsharesat$18pershare,raisingover$95million.ThecompanyistradedonNASDAQasXONE.3DSystemsannouncedathreefortwostocksplit.OxfordPerformanceMaterials(SouthWindsor,Connecticut)receivedFDA510(k)approvalforitsOsteoFabpatient‐specificcranialimplants.Envisiontecreleasedthe3Dentprinter,targetingthedentallabmarket.Fabulonia(Estonia)unveiledanewonlinecapabilityforartistsanddesignersthatissaidtoofferintellectualpropertyprotectiontothedesigners.Fabuloniaplansfortheportaltobeprinterindependentandallowforseverallevelsofcopyrightprotection.

Arcam(Sweden)releaseditsArcamQ10machine,whichspecificallytargetsthemedicalimplantmarket,inMarch2013.ItreplacestheArcamA1.MakerBotandAutodeskenteredintoanagreementtojointlymarkettheReplicator2withAutodesk123Dsoftware.MaterialiseannouncedtheHeartPrintservice,whichcanprintpatient‐specificcardiovascularmodelsforuseinpre‐surgeryplanningandmedicaldevicetesting.



InApril2013,VoxeljetacquiredGlobalTCT,AUKserviceprovider.TheAdditiveManufacturingUser’sGrouphelditsannualmeetinginJacksonville,Floridawithover370attendees.3DSystemsintroduceditsProJetx60familyofmachinesbasedontheZPrintercolormachinesoriginallydevelopedbyZCorp.Shapewaysreceived$30millionininvestmenttoincreaseitscapabilitiesinprintingequipmentandmanpower.RapidManufactorybecamethefirstserviceprovidertoopeninLebanon,offering3Dscanning,modeling,andlasersintering.Anestimated3,000peopleattendedthefirstInside3DPrintingconferenceandexpositioninAprilattheJavitsConventionCenterinNewYork,NewYork.AdditionalInside3DPrintingeventswereannouncedforChicago,Illinois;SanJose,California;Singapore;andMunich,Germany.3DSystemsacquiredtheserviceproviderRapidProductDevelopmentGroupinMay2013.AlsoinMay,Staplesbegansellingthe3DSystemsCubemachineonlineandinselectstoresintheU.S.

Other developments Severaltechnologiesandcompanieshaveemergedandvanishedovertheyears,includingLightSculpting(U.S.),SparxAB(Sweden),Laser3D(France),BMT(Germany),Röders(Germany),SchroffDevelopment(U.S.),DesktopFactory(U.S.),andChubunippon(Japan).AllofthemhavedevelopedAMsystems,buthavehadlittleornocommercialimpact. FewmachinesfromAsiaareavailableforsaleintheU.S..Oneofthefewexceptionsisthelow‐costUP!3DprinterfromDeltaMicroFactoryCorp.ofBeijing,China.ThestereolithographymachinesfromSonysoldintheU.S.fromQ42002toQ22006.KiraCorporationsolditspaperlaminationmachinesintheU.S.forashortperiodbeginninginJanuary2001.

Early research and development

by Terry Wohlers

Thefirstattempttocreatesolidobjectsusingphotopolymersusingalasertookplaceinthelate1960satBattelleMemorialInstitute.Theexperimentinvolvedintersectingtwolaserbeamsofdifferingwavelengthinthemiddleofavatofresin,attemptingtopolymerize(solidify)thematerialatthepointofintersection.Thephotopolymerresinusedintheprocesswasinventedinthe1950sbyDuPont. In1967,WynK.SwainsonofDenmarkappliedforapatenttitledMethodofProducinga3DFigurebyHolographyonasimilarduallaserbeamapproach.Subsequently,SwainsonlaunchedFormigraphicEngineCo.(Bolinas,California)inhopestofurtherdevelopandeventuallycommercializehistechnology.Reportedly,workwasstillunderwayin1994,althoughitneverledtoacommerciallyavailablesystem.Intheearly1970s,FormigraphicEngineCo.usedthedual‐laserapproachinthefirstcommerciallaser‐prototypingproject,aprocessitcalledphotochemicalmachining.In1974,Formigraphicdemonstratedthegenerationofa3Dobjectusingarudimentarysystem.Later,FormigraphicbecameOmtecReplication,apparentlyatatimewhenanalliancewasformedwithBattelle(Columbus,Ohio).Dr.RobertSchwerzel,thenwith



Battelle,ledthedevelopmentofsimilartechniqueswiththehelpofDARPAfunding.Co‐developerDr.VincentMcGinnisswasoneoftheteammembersemployedbyBattelle.Inthelate1970s,DynellElectronicsCorp.wasassignedaseriesofpatentsonsolidphotography.Theinventioninvolvedthecuttingofcrosssectionsbycomputercontrol,usingeitheramillingmachineorlaser,andstackingtheminregistertoforma3Dobject.DynellmergedwithUnitedTechnologiesCorp.inlate1977.Asaresult,anindependentcompanycalledSolidPhotographywasformedandanaffiliatedretailoutletnamedSculpturebySolidPhotographywasopened.Inmid‐1981,SculpturebySolidPhotographychangeditsnametoRoboticVision.SolidPhotographyandanothercompany,SolidCopier,operatedassubsidiariesofRoboticVisionatleastuntilmid‐1989.

Development of stereolithography

HideoKodamaoftheNagoyaMunicipalIndustrialResearchInstitute(Nagoya,Japan)wasamongthefirsttoinventthesingle‐beamlasercuringapproach,accordingtoseveralsources.InMay1980,heappliedforapatentinJapan,whichlaterexpiredwithoutproceedingtotheexaminationstage,arequirementoftheJapanesepatentapplicationprocess.Kodamaclaimedtohavedifficultyinsecuringfundsforadditionalresearchanddevelopment.InOctober1980,KodamapublishedapapertitledThree‐DimensionalDataDisplaybyAutomaticPreparationofaThree‐DimensionalModelthatoutlinedhisworkindetail.HisexperimentsconsistedofprojectingUVraysusingaToshibamercurylampandaphotosensitiveresincalledTevistarmanufacturedbyTeijin.Themethodinvolvedblackandwhitefilmusedtomaskandcontroltheregionofexposure,correspondingtoeachcrosssection.Thepaperalsodiscussestheuseofanx‐yplotterdeviceandopticalfibertodeliveraspotofUVlight.CMETusedaversionofthistechniqueinitsSOUP530,600,and850machines.KodamapublishedasecondpaperinNovember1981,titledAutomaticMethodforFabricatingaThree‐DimensionalPlasticModelwithPhotoHardening.InReviewofScientificInstruments,Kodamadescribesthreebasictechniquesheusedtocreateplasticpartsbysolidifyingthin,consecutivelayersofphotopolymer.Inthepaper,Kodamaclaims,“Ifthesolidifiedlayerisimmersedintotheliquidwiththetopatadepthequaltothethicknessofthelayertobesolidified,itstopsurfaceiscoveredwithunsolidifiedliquidpolymer,”essentiallydescribingakeyelementofthestereolithographyprocess.Kodama’sexperimentswiththethreetechniqueswereperhapsthefirstevidenceofworkingadditivemanufacturing(AM)techniquesintheworld.

Work in the U.S. and France

InAugust1982,AlanHerbertof3MGraphicTechnologiesSectorLaboratorypublishedapapertitledSolidObjectGenerationintheJournalofAppliedPhotographicEngineering.Inthispaper,HerbertdescribedasystemthatdirectsanArgonIonlaserbeamontothesurfaceofphotopolymerbymeansofamirrorsystemattachedtoanx‐ypenplotterdevice.Withthesystem,Herbertwasabletocreateseveralsmall,



basicshapes.Theprimarypurposeofthework,however,wastodevelopanunderstandingoftherequirementsofarealsystem,accordingtoHerbert.In1989–1990timeframe,WohlersAssociatesreceivedahandwrittennotefromAlanHerbert,attachedtoacopyofhis1982paper,sayingthat,unfortunately,hiscompanyelectednottocommercializehiswork.Hewasapparentlyverydisappointedwith3M’sdecision.HisinterestinthedevelopmentofAMtechniquescontinued,asindicatedbyhisAugust1989papertitled“AReviewof3DSolidObjectGeneration”publishedintheJournalofImagingTechnology.InJuly1984,Jean‐ClaudeAndre,nowwiththeFrenchNationalCenterforScientificResearch(CNRS)inNancy,France,andcolleaguesworkingfortheFrenchCilasAlcatelIndustrialLaserCompany,filedapatenttitledApparatusforFabricatingaModelofanIndustrialPart,involvingasingle‐beamlaserapproach.TheFrenchpatentwasgrantedinJanuary1986.Laser3D,alsoofNancy,France,triedtocommercializethetechniqueoutlinedinthepatentonaservicebasiswithnoplanstosellsystems.Inthelate1980s,Andreexploredthedual‐beamapproach.Hefoundthatmanyproblemsexistedwithit,yetateamatCNRScontinuedtoresearchthetechnique.AndreledthedevelopmentofstereolithographyatCNRSforLaser3D.

Formation of 3D Systems

InAugust1984,CharlesHull,co‐founderandchieftechnicalofficerof3DSystems(atthattime,inValencia,California),appliedforaU.S.patenttitledApparatusforProductionofThree‐DimensionalObjectsbyStereolithography,whichwasgrantedinMarch1986.Atthetimeofthepatentapplication,HullwasworkingforUVP,Inc.(SanGabriel,California)asvicepresidentofengineering.InMarch1986,HullandRaymondFreedco‐founded3DSystemsInc.AccordingtoAlanHerbert,publishedillustrationsshowimpressivedetailedpartsproducedbyHull’searlysystem,muchmoresothanthoseshownbyKodamaorhimself.

Hull’s1986patentdescribesaprocessofphoto‐hardeningaseriesofcrosssectionsusingacomputer‐controlledbeamoflight.Alsoin1986,YehoramUziel,thenofOperatech(Israel)hadinventedabasicmachineresemblingstereolithography.UzielhadreadaboutHull’swork,sohetraveledtotheU.S.tovisithimandRayFreed.InJanuary1989,hejoined3DSystemsasvicepresidentofengineering.Inlate1987,3DshippeditsfirstbetaunitstocustomersitesintheU.S.,followedbyproductionsystemsinApril1988.Thesewerethefirstcommercialadditive‐manufacturingsysteminstallationsintheworld.Uzielleft3DSystemsin1991toformSoligen,Inc.(Northridge,California).AroundthetimeUzielfoundedSoligen,helicensedMIT’sinkjetprintingtechniqueforexclusiveuseinthemetal‐castingindustry.SoligenusedMIT’stechnologyinitsDirectShellProductionCasting,aprocessthatcreatedceramicinvestmentcastingshells(molds)byadheringtogetherthinlayersofceramicpowdermaterialusingdropletsofliquidbinder.Soligenwentoutofbusinessin2006.



In1986,Hullwasnottheonlyonewithpatentactivityonhismind.Thesameyear,TakashiMoriharaofFujitsuLtd.patentedtwoelementsofstereolithography.Oneoftheminvolvedpassingabladeoverthesurfaceofanewlayerofresintospeedthelevelingofthelayer.Thistechniqueisespeciallyimportantwhentheresinisviscous.Formanyyears,3DSystemsusedthislevelingtechniqueinitsSLAfamilyofstereolithographyproducts.AnotherapproachdevelopedbyMoriharainvolvedthedispensingoftheresinfromaslotmovingabovethesurfaceoftheresin.Fromearly1990toearly1992,QuadraxLaserTechnologies(Portsmouth,RhodeIsland)usedthisresindepositiontechniqueinitsfastresinapplicator,afeaturecontainedinitsMark1000stereolithographymachine.QuadraxdevelopedandsoldtheMark1000systemuntilFebruary1992,whenitstechnologywasacquiredby3DSystemsafterpatentlitigationthatbeganinSeptember1990.Underthetermsofthesettlement,Quadraxtransferreditslasermodelingpatent(grantedinDecember1991)andrelatedtechnologyto3Dinexchangefor130,000sharesof3Dcommonstock.Atthetime,thestockwasworthabout$325,000.Aspartoftheagreement,QuadraxwasrequiredtodiscontinuemarketingitsAMsystem.FormeremployeesofLaserFareLtd.(Smithfield,RhodeIsland)developedsomeofQuadrax’soriginaltechnologyandlaterbecameemployeesofQuadrax.LaserFaresoldthetechnologyrightstoQuadraxin1990.

Osaka Prefectural Industrial Research

Institute

In1984,YojiMarutanioftheOsakaPrefecturalIndustrialResearchInstitute(OPIRI),alsoreferredtoastheOsakaInstituteofIndustrialTechnology,developedanddemonstratedastereolithographyprocess.It’snotclearwhetherhisworkwasconnectedwithKodama’searlywork,althoughthere’saverygoodchancethatMarutaniatleaststudiedKodama’sMay1980patentapplicationandhisOctober1980andNovember1981technicalpapers.It’salsopossiblethatMarutaniobtainedacopyofHerbert’s1982paper,butit’sdoubtfulthatMarutaniknewaboutHull’sandAndre’sworkin1984.Marutani’spatentdocument,titledOpticalMoldingMethod,datedMay23,1984,describeshisinventionindetail.Thedocumentdescribesmanykeyelementsofstereolithography,includingtheuseofphotocurableliquidmaterial,focusingraysoflightontothesurfaceoftheliquidresinandpresentingafreshlayerofmaterialontopofthehardenedlayer.Marutanicontinuedhisresearchanddevelopmentofstereolithography,atleastuntilmid‐1987.InapaperdatedAugust7,1987,TakashiNakaiandYojiMarutaniexplainedthattheyhaddevelopedanewtypeofsystemforconstructing3DmodelsusingaUVlaserandliquidpolymer.Ratherthandiscussingthedevelopmentofanewtypeofsystem,however,thepaperdiscussesrefinementstoalreadyknownprocesses—refinementsthatincreasespeedanddimensionalaccuracy.Atthetimeofpublication,bothNakaiandMarutaniwereworkingintheDepartmentofElectronicsattheOPIRI.Kodama’s1981paperandHerbert’s1982paperwereincludedasreferences.ItisbelievedthatMarutaniisstillinvolvedwithAMtoday.



Commercialization of OPIRI technology

OPIRI,operatedbytheMinistryofInternationalTradeandIndustry(MITI),licenseditsstereolithographytechnologytoagroupofJapanesecompanies,includingMitsubishiHeavyIndustries,NTTDataCommunications,AsahiDenkaKogyo,ToyoDenkiSeizo,andYAC.TogethertheyformedComputerModelingandEngineeringTechnology(CMET)todevelop,manufacture,andsellAMsystems.Theexactlicensingdateisnotknown,althoughMitsubishiannouncedinJuly1988thatitwouldsellastereolithographymachinedevelopedjointlywithOPIRI.Ithasbeendocumentedthatthesefivecompaniessupportedthedevelopmentandcommercializationofthetechnologyin1989,leadingtotheintroductionoftheSOUPsystemin1990.AdatedSOUPproductbrochure,publishedbyCMET,statesthatthe“producthadbeendevelopedontheinventionofOsakaPrefecturalIndustrialResearchInstitute.”Mitsubishi,witha54%stake,wasresponsibleforplanninganddevelopment;NTTDataCommunications,with20%,wasresponsibleforsoftwaredevelopment;AsahiDenkaKogyo,20%,photosensitiveresins;ToyoDenkiSeizo,3%,developmentofthex‐yplottermechanismandotherhardware;YAC,3%,precisionmachinemanufacturingtechnology.MitsubishiHeavyIndustriesreportedlyspent3billionyenonfurtherdevelopingtheOPIRItechnology.At40–50millionyenperunit,MitsubishireportedlysoldnineSOUPsystemsfromearly1989toearly1990.

Sony and Mitsui enter the picture

In1989,Design‐ModelandEngineeringCenter(D‐MEC)waslaunchedasajointventurebetweenSonyandJapanSyntheticRubber(JSR).InApril/May1989,D‐MECintroduceditsSolidCreationSystem(SCS)for53millionyen.Thesystemwascapableofbuildingurethaneacrylateresinpartsupto1000x1000x750mminsizefromlayersatthinas50microns(0.002inch).Accordingtoonereliablesource,thesystemwasdevelopedbehindcloseddoorsanddetailsaboutitsoriginshavebeenkeptquiet.Clearly,SonyhadknowledgeofOPIRIandCMET’stechnology,aswellasthetechnologydevelopedby3DSystems.

3DSystemsbegantoestablishapresenceinJapaninearly1988whenthecompanyformedajointventurewithJapanSteelWorks,Ltd.(JSW),aMitsuicompany.3DexecutivessignedtheagreementwithJSWinMarch1988.Thenewcompany,JSW‐3DCo.,Ltd.(Tokyo),servedasasales,marketing,andserviceorganizationfor3DSystemsinJapan.SLAmachinesweremadeavailabletotheJapanesebythethirdorfourthquarterof1988.Neartheendof1989,3Dterminatedtheagreementandformedawhollyownedsubsidiary,3DSystemsJapan.MitsuiEngineeringandShipbuildingCompanyannounceditsCOLAMMsysteminMarch1991andintroduceditinJuly1991whenitofferedaseriesofintroductoryseminars.Mitsui’sapproachtostereolithographyisdifferentthanthesystemsfrom3DSystems,CMET,andSony/D‐MEC.Ratherthanbuildinguplayersfromthetop,alaserbeamispresentedthroughatransparentplateatthebottomofthebuildchamber.Eachnewlayerofresinrestsbetweenthepreviouslycuredlayer(whichisabovetheresin)andthetransparentplate(whichisbelowtheresin).Witheachnewlayer,thepartmovesupwardintoairspace,ratherthanbeingsubmergedinresin.



MitsuisoldoneunittoanautomobilemodelingcompanyinKyotoinDecember1991,buthasnotreportedanysalessincethen.Thecompanyhadhopedforsalesof20–30unitsinfiscalyear1992.TheoriginalCOLAMMsystem,equippedwithanengineeringworkstation,soldfor41millionyen.ThecompanyworkedwithSanyoChemicalIndustriestodevelopanimprovedresinwithreducedshrinkproperties.InJanuary1989,MitsuiandNipponSteelannouncedtheirplanstoformajointventurecalledPlamediaResearchCorp.Thecompanywoulddesignanddevelopmetalmoldsforproducingpartsmadefromplastics.It’snotclearwhetherthisventurewasrelatedtothedevelopmentofMitsui’sAMsystem.TheJune92issueofJetroexplainsMitsui’sAMapproach,verbatim,asarecentinventionbyprofessorsN.NakajimaandT.TakagioftheFacultyofEngineering,UniversityofTokyo.Accordingtothearticle,theprocesscanbuildmechanicalpartswith8‐micron(0.00032‐inch)featuresatanaccuracyof±1micron(0.00004inch).YetthearticledoesnotmentiontheMitsuiCOLAMMsystem.

Teijin Seiki enters

with DuPont’s help In1989,DuPontannouncedthedevelopmentofitsSomos1000SolidImagingSystem,atechnologysimilarto3DSystems’SLA.Becauseoftheirsimilarities,DuPontpetitionedtheU.S.PatentOfficeinSeptember1988forareexaminationofHull’s1986patent.DuPontmadethePatentOfficeawareofKodama’spublications,aswellasthoseofothers.Sevenmonthslater,thePatentOfficetold3DSystemsthatithadrejectedallclaimsinHull’spatent.ThiswasaboutthetimeDuPontchosetogopublicwithitsSomossystem,whichoccurredaroundJune1989.Inlate1989,theU.S.PatentOfficereverseditsdecisionafter3DSystemsproducedstrongevidencetosupporttheclaimsinHull’spatent,butrequiredtheadditionofnewlanguagethatnarroweditsscope.ThiswasaturningpointforDuPont.TeijinSeikiacquiredDuPont’sSomosstereolithographytechnologythroughalicensingagreementinlate1991.InMarch1992,attheOptomechatronicsShow’92,TeijinSeikiannouncedtheavailabilityofitsSoliformAMsystemfor50millionyen.ThemachinewasanenhancedversionofDuPont’soriginalSomossystem,accordingtoTeijinSeiki.Withitsimpressivelaserdrawspeedofupto2,400cm(945inches)persecond,thecompanyconsidereditasecond‐generationAMsystem.TeijinSeikihadintroducedtwoversionsofitsSomostechnology,theSoliform300(300‐mmbuildchamber)andtheSoliform500(500‐mm),andhadmadethemavailableforsaleinAsia.TeijinSeikiobtainedtheexclusiverightstomanufactureandsellDuPont’sSomostechnology,althoughitwaslimitedtoAsia.TheJapanesecompanypaidapproximately700millionyentoobtainthelicense,includingthesystem’sblueprints,operatingknowledge,andpatentandsalesrights.AftersecuringtheSomostechnology,TeijinSeikimoved10researchersfromtheelectromechanicaldevelopmentdepartmentofitsIwakuniplanttoitKanagawaScienceParklaboratoriestoworkontheSomosproject.In1991,Teijinprojectedannualsalesof10billionyenin3–4years.



In1989,DuPontfiledseveralpatentapplicationsrelatedtostereolithography.Fourofthemconcentratedonphotopolymerdevelopments.Inthemid1990s,DuPontsuppliedresinstoTeijinSeiki,ElectroOpticalSystems(Germany),andusersof3DSystems’SLA250andSLA500models.

Others jump in Inearly1989,HansJ.Langer,formallyofGeneralScanning(Germanbranch),andafewassociatesstartedElectroOpticalSystems(EOS).Bymid‐1990,BMWordereditsfirstsystemfromEOS,andlaterasecondforaboutDM1million.EuropeanTechnologyHolding,aventurecapitalcompanyinAmsterdam,providedthebasicfinancialsupportforLangertogointobusiness.LangeralsosecuredDM1millionfromtheGermanFederalGovernment’sprogramforyoungtechnologyentrepreneurs.Betweenmid‐1991andJuly1993,EOShadshipped15STEREOSstereolithographysystemstositesinEuropeandJapan.Anothercustomer,HitachiZosenInformationSystems,hadbeguntomarkettheEOSsysteminJapan.In1991,NisseiSangyoCompanyannouncedtheavailabilityofanAMproduct,acombinationofelementsfromMatsuoSangyoand3DSystemsJapan.Duringthefirstyear,NisseiSangyoexpectedtosell15units,pricedatabout100millionyen.Littleisknownaboutthisdevelopment.Inearly1993,DenkenEngineering(OitaCity,OitaPref.,Japan)andAutostradaCorp.jointlyintroduceda7.8millionyenstereolithographysystemcalledtheSolidLDPlotterSystem,SLP‐3000.Theunitusesvisiblelightandalaserdiode,ratherthanexpensivelasersusedinotherstereolithographysystems.AccordingtoDenken,theoverallsizeoftheSLP‐3000issmallcomparedtocompetitivesystems,yetitiscapableofproducingpartsupto200x400x300mm(about8x16x12inches).Thecompanyhopedtosellabout50unitsperyear,manygoingtoJapanesegovernmentlabs.

Non-stereolithography approaches

WhiletheJapaneseconcentratedonthestereolithographyprocess,companiesandindividualsintheU.S.andIsraelweredevelopingotherapproachestoadditivemanufacturing.InJune1986,ItzchakPomerantz,founderandformerpresidentofCubital(Raanana,Israel),filedforanIsraelipatent.Atthetime,PomerantzwasworkingforScitexCorporation,anIsraelicompanythatownedasmallpercentageofCubital.Pomerantz’patent,titledThree‐DimensionalMappingandModelingSystem,laidthegroundworkfortheSolider5600,whichCubitalintroducedinJuly1987.InMay1988,Cubitaland3DSystemscross‐licensedcertainpartsoftheirtechnologiestominimizethepossibilityofsubsequentlegalconflicts.In1986,RussianimmigrantDr.EfremFudimofLightSculpting(Milwaukee,WI)offeredoneofthefirstcommerciallyavailablepart‐buildingservicesusinganAMtechnologyheinvented.HissystemprojectsafloodoflightfromaUVlampthroughamaskontothesurfaceofphotopolymer.ThismaskapproachwassimilartoCubital’sphotomask,althoughCubitalhadautomatedtheprocess.WithFudim’ssystem,



individualmaskswereproducedonaGerberphotoplotterandmanuallypositionedoverthebuildchamberforeachnewlayer.Thislaborintensive,time‐consumingapproachdidnotwintheheartsofbuyers.Consequently,Fudimdidnotsellasinglesystem.MissingfromFudim’smachinewasafastwaytotransferthecrosssectioninformationtothebuildchamber.InOctober1991,SanyoElectricappliedforapatentinvolvingaflatLCDpanelasamaskthroughwhichUVlightwouldshineontothesurfaceofphotopolymer.Tests,however,indicatedthattheUVlightwoulddeterioratetheliquidcrystal,shorteningitseffectivenesstohours.Fudimhadalsoconsideredthisapproach.

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