Keywords
Citation
(2002), "OptoForm LLC established to pursue advanced digital manufacturing opportunities", Assembly Automation, Vol. 22 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2002.03322cab.012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
OptoForm LLC established to pursue advanced digital manufacturing opportunities
Keyords: Rapid prototyping
3D Systems Corp., a world leader in solid imaging equipment, and DSM Somos, a leading material manufacturer, announce the official launch of OptoForm LLC, a new company to pursue opportunities in the new and expanding field of advanced digital manufacturing (ADM), as conceived by 3D Systems. ADM is expected to become a key enabling technology for the customisation of design and manufacturing, also called mass customisation.
OptoForm LLC will deliver shop-floor manufacturing solutions to the industrial market based on composite plastic, ceramic and metal materials using a proprietary direct composites manufacturing process.
"ADM will allow designers to reduce part count in the design process thus reducing part costs and assembly time. Designers and engineers will be able to add custom features and complexity to designs not currently feasible with today's manufacturing techniques", says Grant Flaharty, executive vice president, global business operations for 3D Systems.
"The ability to manufacture a product using additive fabrication techniques will radically alter designs and manufacturing methods over the next decade and beyond", says Mervyn Rudgley, general manager of OptoForm LLC. "Using ADM techniques such as direct composite manufacturing and other 3D systems technologies, existing designs can be manufactured without the costs and lead time associated with hard tooling, and more complex designs will become easier to manufacture.
"We are pleased that we have the combined resources of 3D Systems and DSM Somos, as we begin our development program with selected Fortune 100 industrial partners", adds Rudgley.
Steve Hartig, vice president of marketing at DSM Somos, says: "Over the next year we expect to develop and test new materials that will set new standards for structural performance and capability in digital manufacturing."
More information about the company is available at: www.dsmdesotech.com and www.dsmsomos.com