3D Systems, PTC Partner

3D Systems and PTC have partnered to launch a new strategy for bringing 3D printing to a viable production method. “Rapid prototyping was the original application for 3D printing and will continue to be an important part of our business,” says Vyomesh Joshi, CEO and president of 3D Systems. “However, we believe we have the technology and assets today to make 3D production real and provide profitable growth for our company.”

As part of this initiative, 3D Systems will be integrating its Sprint SDK (software development kit) into PTC Creo, providing a full set of print management tools. The company has also launched 3DXpert, an all-in-one solution for the metal printing workflow.

According to 3D Systems, 3DXpert allows users to import and work with any geometry (STL, Surfaces, Solid). This helps save valuable time and maintain greater flexibility on change handling, using history-based parametric CAD tools. Structure optimization tools within the software allow users to save weight and material with lightning-fast creation and editing of micro lattices, based on the groundbreaking Volume Representation (V-Rep) technology.

“Partnering with 3D Systems allows our users to take full advantage of the power of 3D printing and work seamlessly from digital design to physical part,” says Jim Heppelmann, CEO and president of PTC. “The 3D Sprint SDK integration into Creo is just the beginning of what our two companies can accomplish across the digital manufacturing value-chain.”

For more information, visit 3D Systems and PTC.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.