DENVER, CO, Nov 8, 2017 – 3D Systems announced award of a new 3-year contract with BMW. The contract for the company’s On Demand Manufacturing (ODM) Services includes production of 3D printed parts that BMW will use for design and functional prototypes.
Using their stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) technologies as well as providing finishing services such as painting, dying and tumbling, 3D Systems will produce prototype and functional interior and exterior automobile test parts for BMW, as well as tools and fixtures. These parts will be used during summer and winter rideout testing to verify their designs for proper fit and approach, as well as to understand how the parts function in extreme heat and cold.
3D Systems combines its print technologies with a variety of materials to produce these durable, functional parts. For example, the company uses its DuraForm® HST Compositefiberglass-filled plastic to create 3D printed parts to be used in powertrain and under-the-hood applications. DuraForm HST Composite is a fiber-reinforced engineering plastic with excellent stiffness and high temperature resistance which makes it ideal for durable prototypes in the automotive industry.
3D Systems has a long-standing relationship with BMW; delivering not only high quality parts, but also lending their engineering expertise to help define manufacturing processes and solutions. In addition to fulfilling a large proportion of BMW’s need for rapid prototyping via 3D printing technologies, 3D Systems will also be one of the manufacturer’s preferred vendors for prototypes via traditional processes such as urethane casting, injection molding, and CNC.
“3D Systems and BMW have been business partners for many years and we’re pleased to expand our relationship through this contract,” said Ziad Abou, senior vice president and general manager, Global On Demand Manufacturing Services. “3D Systems has a rich history and depth of knowledge in the Automotive industry. We offer a complete end-to-end solution which not only includes our On Demand Manufacturing Services, but technology, materials and software that enables us to deliver solutions tailored for our customers’ workflow.”
For more information on 3D Systems’ On Demand Manufacturing Services, please visit the 3D Systems website.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems’ precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30-year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models.
More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.
