3D Systems Announces Several New 3D Printers and Materials for Unveiling at EuroMold 2014

The 3D printing arena is hot, undeniably, but with HP’s recent announcement regarding their entrance into 3D printing with their new Multi Jet Fusion technology, they’ve lit a fire under the big guns of 3D printing. No one wants to let HP steal their thunder, and 3D Systems plans to stake their claim at EuroMold 2014.

Taking place November 25-28 in Frankfurt, Germany, EuroMold is an end-of-the-year hotbed of announcements and excitement for the 3D printing industry. 3D Systems makes it clear they are still on top of their game, bringing out a bevy of powerful new products and materials, coming in on the heels of HP throwing their big hat into what is still a pretty concentrated, but powerful ring of contenders.

For us, it means we are watching and waiting to report on everyone’s next exciting move. For you, the consumer, it means some powerful 3D printing innovations will be coming down the line, thanks to good old competition in the marketplace. And the gauntlet continues, as 3D Systems delivers their plans to roll out new products, new materials, and new prices with 3DPRINTING 2.0.

Avi Reichental

“We are thrilled to unveil a new suite of products that will support the most demanding manufacturing applications, especially in activities such as aerospace, automotive, personalized healthcare and the production of high performance, end-use parts,” said Avi Reichental, President and Chief Executive Officer, 3DS.

“Our 3D PRINTING 2.0 solutions unlock significantly faster product development cycles, seamless content-to-print digital workflows and truly unprecedented part performance, as we continue to lead the field of advanced manufacturing, from the engineer’s desktop to the factory floor.”

The excitement builds with several tantalizing next generation printers to include:

• The ProX 400 Direct Metal Printer, which is a complete production unit, touting a larger build size.
• The ProX 800 3D printer, for ‘fab-grade SLA production’, which offers precision for ‘complex geometries,’ capacity for producing higher volumes of parts, with fast build times.
• The ProX 500 Plus SLS machine, for the more demanding environment, taking the ProX 500 a step further. The ProX 500 Plus SLS machine will be offering much faster build times, and a range of high performance new materials.

An array of new materials will be available for the desktop micro-SLA ProJet 1200. 3DS points out that these materials will benefit jewelers, dental labs, engineers, and 3D artists who are looking for both more affordability and versatility, with the following:

• FTX Cast for ash-free lost wax casting
• FTX Gold and FTX Silver for making shimmering try-on models
• FTX Clear for translucent prototypes
• FTX Gray for paintable figurines

For the multi-material ProJet 5500X there will also be new elastomer materials available, allowing the use of up to 14 different composite materials in a single build, with no assembly required.

3DS will also be highlighting smaller size and better accuracy for the Capture Mini scan-based design and inspection system, which will also offer revolutionary new workflow applications.

3D Systems has indicated that they will be ‘revealing these new solutions’ throughout the week, with a full display at EuroMold 2014, where they will also display a new cloud and desktop-based, as well as their 3DMe scanning and printing experience with their 3DMe Photobooth, a compact 3D scanning kiosk.

While HP may be an industry giant and a fearsome competitor, those who earned their place in the 3D printing sector certainly aren’t backing down. Stratasys has already also announced that they will be displaying 11 new high performance 3D printers and materials at EuroMold as well. 3DS had also already reiterated their commitment to introducing the future innovators of tomorrow to 3D printing in their sponsorship of the TCT Bright Minds Program where they donate use of their Cube 3D printer and 3D design tools — all to be spotlighted at EuroMold 2014.

How do you think 3DS and Stratasys will stack up to HP, or vice versa? Will you be attending EuroMold 2014? Share with us in the 3DS New Products and Materials forum over at 3DPB.com.