3D Printers Push Product Design Envelope

Z Corporation (Somerville, MA) is reporting that 1999 was a record year for unit sales and revenues of its 3D printers, which bounded up 170%. According to Marina Hatsopoulos, CEO, "we believe that this demonstrates that 3D printing is poised to revolutionize the design office in the way that office printers have revolutionized the administrative office."

Z Corporation manufactures office-compatible 3D printers that quickly and inexpensively produce real physical models directly from CAD data. These models can be handled, reviewed and exchanged to enhance communication early in the product design and development process. Design engineers can build several iterative prototypes in a day to finalize design concepts faster than ever before. Z Corp's customers like NASA report printing as many as 184 parts in a day while Kodak was able to produce a 3D model only two hours after receiving a data file.

The company's flagship Z402 3D printer has become the standard for many companies that are committed to reducing their time to market. The Z402 3D printer creates three-dimensional models from 3D CAD files and other data. The system prints the most demanding parts layer by layer from safe, office-compatible materials in a fraction of the time and cost of competing methods. The system provides immediate feedback in the design process as well as clear communication among engineers, marketers, and manufacturers. All three dimensions can be utilized to reach market faster with better products and fewer mistakes.

Companies that have incorporated this tool into their design process have found that the payback and reduced cycle times justify the purchase of multiple systems. Some examples include Ford Motor with nine systems, and Daimler Chrysler with five systems.

Ford Motor went through extensive evaluation before selecting the Z402 System for these multiple locations. According to Erik Johnson of Ford Motor, "The Z402 System has really allowed us to push the envelope of 3D product design and has been a perfect fit in our design process." Other automotive customers include BMW, General Motors, Porsche, Toyota, and United Technologies Automotive. Over 150 of Z Corporation's 3D Printers are installed at leading companies worldwide.

In 1999, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. and Z Corp. announced a research and development partnership. According to George Sollner, Ciba VP. "Based on the results of our research and surveys we've conducted of current prototyping methods, we believe Z Corp.'s technology has tremendous growth potential in a broad range of manufacturing industries."

Hewlett Packard recently signed a license agreement allowing Z Corp to design state-of-the-art HP ink jet print heads into future 3D printers. This is expected to provide further technical improvements. Z Corp has also had great success in the consumer products industry, where design changes are frequent and consumer evaluation is critical. These customers include Adidas, which has three systems, Fisher Price, Graco, Clorox and Motorola. In addition, a large number of prestigious universities worldwide, including Harvard, MIT and Georgia Tech, have incorporated this technology into their curriculum.

Z Corp will move its corporate offices and manufacturing group to substantially larger facilities in Burlington, MA, early in 2000.

Z Corporation, 35 Medford St, Suite 213, Somerville, MA 02143; phone: 617-628-2781