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{{Infobox Company 
| company_name = 3D Systems Corporation
| company_logo = [[Image:3DLogo06n - Red PMS 187 rgb.png‎]]
| company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{nasdaq|TDSC}})
| foundation = [[Valencia, California]], USA 1986
| location = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Rock Hill, South Carolina]], USA
| key_people = Abe Reichental, President and CEO<br /> [[Chuck Hull]], Co-Founder and CTO
| products = [[3D Printing|3D Printer]]s<br />[[Stereolithography|Stereolithography Systems]]<br />[[Selective laser sintering|Sintering Systems]]<br />Engineered Materials<br />
| slogan = Experience the Difference (prior to 2007: Transform Your Products)
| num_employees = 400+ [http://www.3dsystems.com/newsevents/pressroom/backgrounder.asp]
| market cap = 231 million USD<ref name=zenobank>{{cite web |url=http://www.zenobank.com/index.php?symbol=TDSC&page=quotesearch |title=Company Profile for 3D Systems Corp (TDSC) |accessdate=2008-10-20}}</ref>
| homepage = http://www.3dsystems.com/
}}

'''3D Systems''', headquartered in [[Rock Hill, South Carolina]], is a maker of [[rapid prototyping]] machines, notable for developing [[stereolithography]] and the [[STL (file format)|STL]] file format.


== History ==
Founded in 1986 by [[Chuck Hull]], with the invention of the first [[stereolithography]] [[rapid prototyping]] system, 3D Systems is a global company that develops and sells solid imaging solutions – systems, materials and software. Its products reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing without [[machine tooling|tooling]]. The systems generate product concept models, precision and functional [[prototype]]s, master patterns for tooling, and end-use production parts for [[direct digital manufacturing]]. 

Their [[3D printing]], [[rapid prototyping]] and [[rapid manufacturing]] technologies use proprietary processes to fabricate physical objects using input from [[computer-aided design]] and manufacturing software, or [[3d scanner|3D scanning]] and sculpting devices. <ref>[http://www.3dsystems.com/company/index.asp Company | About 3D Systems<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== Technology ==
3D Systems manufacture [[3D printer]]s, [[stereolithography|SLA systems]] and [[selective laser sintering|SLS systems]].

*3D modelers or [[3D printing|printer]]s take digital input from three-dimensional data and creates solid, three-dimensional parts through an [[additive manufacturing|additive]], layer-by-layer process. [[3D printing]] is used extensively by designers during concept development and early product design to accelerate the design process and improve the quality of the final product. [[Image:Viper_Pro_SLA_system.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A 3D Systems [[stereolithography]] system.]]

*[[Stereolithography]] or SLA systems convert proprietary materials and composites into solid cross-sections, layer by layer, until three-dimensional parts are built. An [[ultraviolet]] [[laser]] cures a liquid resin layer by layer to build highly accurate parts. SLA systems rapidly manufacture parts of different geometries at the same time and are designed to produce [[prototype]]s, patterns or end-use parts of versatile sizes and applications. 

*[[Selective laser sintering]] or SLS systems use high-temperature laser to melt and fuse, or [[sintering|sinter]], powdered plastics or metal into solid cross-sections, layer by layer, until three-dimensional parts are complete. SLS systems have integrated powder delivery/recycling, part-building and finishing capability as complete [[rapid manufacturing]] systems. The systems enable productive, direct [[rapid manufacturing]] of durable and tough three-dimensional parts that have versatile sizes and applications.

== Applications ==
A number of industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer appliance and electronics, toys and entertainment, and medical, use [[3D printing]], [[stereolithography]] and [[selective laser sintering|sintering]]. <ref>[http://www.3dsystems.com/newsevents/pressroom/backgrounder.asp News & Events | Press Room - Corporate Management Background<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


== Facilities & Employees   ==

In 2006, the company consolidated its offices, operations, and research and development functions into a new global headquarters in Rock Hill, SC, USA. About half of the headquarters’ {{convert|80000|sqft|m2}} are R&D laboratories and an {{convert|18000|sqft|m2|sing=on}} Rapid Manufacturing Center (RMC) with 3D Systems’ [[rapid prototyping]], [[rapid manufacturing]] and [[3D printing]] systems at work. <ref>[http://www.3dsystems.com/newsevents/newsreleases/pr-Jan_17_2007b.asp NEWS: pr-Jan. 17, 2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

3D Systems opened a {{convert|17000|sqft|m2|sing=on}} training center, 3D Systems University, in partnership York Technical College to train prospective and existing customers. <ref>[http://www.yorktech.com/3dsystems 3D Systems Courses<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

With customers in 80 countries, 3D Systems has 400 employees in offices around the world, including [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Switzerland]], [[United Kingdom]], [[China]] and [[Japan]]. The company has more than 359 U.S. and foreign [[patent]]s. <ref>[http://www.3dsystems.com/company/patents/index.asp Company | Patents<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Direct digital manufacturing]]
*[[Rapid prototyping]]
*[[Stereolithography]]
*[[Selective laser sintering]]
*[[3D printing]]
*[[Desktop manufacturing]]
*[[Chuck Hull]]

==External links==
* [http://www.3dsystems.com 3D Systems Web site]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFtwW26VsiA “3D Systems RMC Tour” YouTube video]
* [http://www.modelin3d.com V-Flash Web site]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3-2OeFweVQ “How does V-Flash work” YouTube video]
* [http://www.yorktech.com/3dsystems 3D Systems University]
* [http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=TDSC Yahoo! Finance]

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[[Category:solid freeform fabrication]]
[[Category:Companies based in South Carolina]]
[[Category:York County, South Carolina]]