Intermountain 3D broadens manufacturing offerings with selective laser sintering

3D printing and rapid prototyping services provider Intermountain 3D (Garden City, ID) has grown its service offering and business with selective laser sintering (SLS) printing capabilities from 3D Systems (Rock Hill, SC). With the addition, Intermountain 3D offers services from prototyping to low-volume production applications, reverse engineering, and scan-based design, helping customers improve productivity and reduce time-to-market.

The company's customers range from companies that produce virtual reality equipment, human prosthetics, bronze sculptures, food processing equipment, and a variety of recreational technology manufacturers. All have unique requirements that are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. Furthermore, these customers have very specific material needs and requirements.

To offer full service to their customers, the company augmented its in-house capabilities by outsourcing some parts to 3D Systems' On Demand Manufacturing. "As a startup company, it was a huge advantage to be able to lean on 3D Systems' On Demand Manufacturing service during periods of peak capacity," says Lynn Hoffmann, CEO of Intermountain 3D. Resulting from the positive impact the production service offering made on both their customers' businesses as well as their own, the company chose to invest in its own SLS 3D printer.

3D Systems' ProX SLS printers can produce functional prototypes as well as end-use production parts. The printers are complemented by a portfolio of DuraForm production-grade nylon materials that have been optimized, validated, and tested to ensure quality, with uniform 3D mechanical properties. The combination enables Intermountain 3D to produce tough, durable parts more efficiently with an overall lower total cost of operation.

"We've experienced tremendous growth in our business through the assistance of 3D Systems," Hoffmann says. "Year-to-date, we've seen a 120% increase in revenue, and the demand for production SLS printing in our market continues to increase."

For more information, please visit www.intermountain3d.com and www.3dsystems.com.