3D Systems partners with Singularity University to develop creative uses of 3D printing

October 24, 2012

ZPrinter 650 professional color 3D printer (credit: 3D Systems)

3D printer leader 3D Systems announced today that it plans to provide Singularity University (SU) with several of its 3D printers.

“We are excited to be part of Singularity’s visionary initiative to democratize access to 3D content-to-print solutions that will enable greater entrepreneurialism and inventiveness,” said Abe Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems.

“SU has shown a great deal of foresight and leadership in selecting additive manufacturing as a formal executive program, ensuring that the potential of 3D ideation-to-production is fully understood by a global audience of emerging leaders and technologists, and that its compelling and impactful power is harnessed into tomorrow’s business models today.”

ProJet HD3500Plus professional 3D printer (credit: 3D Systems)

Accepting the gift on behalf of Singularity University, Dan Barry, Chair of SU’s Space and Physical Sciences area of study and Co-Chair of SU’s Artificial Intelligence and Robotics track, said: “Through this new partnership, 3D Systems is significantly enhancing the capability of our students to turn their ideas into reality — to be creative not just through slides, but in 3 dimensions, and express that creativity by producing real physical objects.”

3D Systems spokesperson Cathy Lewis told KurzweilAI that 3D Systems will provide two professional 3D printers — a ZPrinter 650 (full-color) and a ProJet HD3500Plus — and two personal Cube printers.

She said SU “stood out for its interest in additive manufacturing and ability to think about creative solutions.”

3D-printed guitars (credit: 3D Systems)

Cube 3D printer for consumers and hobbyists (credit: 3D Systems)

3D Systems is perhaps most famous for the world’s first 3D-printed guitar, but the company’s printers are also widely used by designers, engineers, marketers, artists, architects, and educators. 3D Systems is also involved in a consortium that is printing 90 parts for F-18 fighter jets and that plans to print 900 parts for F-35 fighter jets, according to Lewis.

3D Systems founded additive manufacturing over 25 years ago with the invention of Stereolithography.  Today the company leads the global adoption of 3D printing through continued innovation and democratization.

This agreement with Singularity underscores 3D Systems commitment to place its products, services and knowhow in the hands of thought leaders who are committed to sustainable entrepreneurialism through its disruptive and game changing solutions, the company said.