Taking action to spur a slightly lethargic market for additive manufacturing (attributed by some analysts to overcapacity in 2016; also known as 3D printing), 3D Systems (Rock Hill, SC) has dropped the price more than 30% on its ProX SLS 500 3D printing system in North America and Europe. The aggressive move aims to increase market share and drive adoption of the technology as companies look to shift production to additive manufacturing. New system pricing for customers starts at $270,000 (€250,000).
The company prints a wide range of parts and build sizes, from interior components for airplanes to large production tooling for high-volume manufacturing to small patient-specific medical devices. "We will continue to invest in SLS [selective laser sintering] to expand our leadership position and help accelerate the shift to 3D printing production," says Jim Ruder, senior vice president and general manager, plastics, at 3D Systems.
The ProX SLS 500 system uses a wide range of DuraForm plastic materials, including tough nylon for production parts; high-temperature-resistant, fiber-reinforced engineering plastic; and glass-filled engineering plastic for excellent stiffness. DuraForm plastics have been optimized, validated, and tested to offer surface detail, part strength, and durability for end-use parts.
As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, the company 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.
For more information, please visit www.3dsystems.com.