Geomagic Acquires Sensable 3D Design and Haptics Businesses

By DE Editors

Geomagic completed its acquisition of Sensable Technology's 3D design and haptics businesses. Sensable, of Wilmington, Mass., is a developer of volumetric CAD/CAM solutions, and the inventor of Phantom force-feedback haptic devices that simulate the physical sensation of touch in the virtual world.

Geomagic specializes in capturing digital data from the real world and real people. Now we can add the sensation of touch as well; Sight and feel are two major human sensibilities that enhance the design experience, said Ping Fu, CEO of Geomagic. For Geomagic customers, Sensable solutions are a natural extension for modeling and enhancing the scan data from Geomagic; for Sensable customers, starting with a scanned model rather than blank screen makes it far easier and faster to start a design, requires less time to sculpt the 3D model, and the finished designs can be exchanged into CAD surfaces using the Geomagic family of software. The synergies will be a tremendous value to existing and new customers.

Geomagic is the best home for Sensable technologies and employees. Innovative companies need scale to grow, I am happy that the combined company under the Geomagic umbrella will have that scale, said Marcus Lovell Smith, the former CEO of the company.

Sensable has a range of voxel-based 3D design software including the FreeForm and ClayTools solutions. Some of the Sensable 3D design solutions also include tools for preparing digital models for manufacturing (particularly for mold and casting production methods) including draft analysis and complex parting line creation.

Geomagic will continue to support Phantom haptic input devices, further develop Freeform design and manufacturing solutions, and the developers API for haptics research.  Geomagic will retain Sensables operations and employees in the Boston area giving the company a Northeast location where they plan to hire additional employees.

In addition to the product portfolio, Geomagic is also acquiring the majority of Sensables considerable patent portfolio, which extends across haptic device designs and applications and voxel-based modeling.  Sensables dental products are not included in this acquisition.

For more information, visit Geomagic.

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