3D Systems, a company that supplies stereolithography systems and 3D printers for manufacturing or prototyping, and also produces three-dimensional parts for prototypes or finished products, is buying Geomagic Inc., a developer of software programs for 3D design and inspection. The terms of the purchase were not announced.
In addition to machinery, 3D print materials, and production services, 3D Systems supplies CAD modeling, reverse engineering and inspection software tools, and consumer 3D printers, apps and services.
The buyer indicated that the software developer brings a complimentary line of products would expand its portfolio of products and improve its overall revenues, and create new product value with improved, more affordable customer service.
Specifically, 3D Systems explained that Geomagic’s sculpting, modeling, scanning and inspecting software tools would improve 3D Systems’ “3D authoring platform” and position it to grow in the “3D content-to-print space.”
“Geomagic represents the perfect strategic fit for us and we are thrilled to welcome 3D pioneer and Geomagic founder and CEO Ping Fu as our chief strategy officer,” stated 3D Systems president and CEO Abe Reichental “Our complementary capabilities in product development, channel coverage, and marketing, combined with greater efficiencies, are sure to result in more affordable and user-friendly solutions that will delight our customers and could present attractive long term shareholder value.
“In line with that, we intend to expand the range of our 3D authoring solutions further into new manufacturing and consumer applications and concurrently maintain and enhance the existing Geomagic and Rapidform product lines,” Reichental continued.
Fu noted that Geomagic had worked with 3D Systems over several years on “3D content-to-print solutions,” and added that “now is the right time to combine our efforts to further democratize access to design and 3D printing.
“Joining 3D Systems provides us with the scale, resources, and strategic platform to realize our shared vision of delivering functional, affordable, and extensible 3D authoring solutions for the benefit of professional designers and engineers, as well as the exciting Maker’s movement,” she stated.