Rapid Ready Roundup: 3D Systems Acquisitions, Stratasys Dimension Bundle, and Refrigerators

In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing, I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up once every few weeks and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.

We’ll start up this Roundup with a look at recent 3D Systems acquisitions. Back in April, 3D Systems acquired Paramount Industries. Paramount is a direct manufacturing firm with experience in the medical and aerospace parts businesses. Selective laser sintering, stereolithography, urethane castings and injection molding are some of the processes offered by the new acquisition.

“We are very pleased to add a proven direct manufacturing innovator of Paramount’s reputation, experience and scale to our rapidly growing, global network of on-demand parts services,” said Abe Reichental, president and chief executive officer of 3D Systems. “With Jim Williams’ [president and CEO of Paramount Industries] continued leadership, we are extremely well positioned to expand our aerospace and healthcare manufacturing activities and build the required infrastructure to support these significant customers.”

More recently, 3D Systems has added FreshFiber to its growing ranks. FreshFiber offers customizable 3D printed products directly to customers via its website. The company’s most popular products are designer iPhone cases and bands that allow the iPod Nano to be worn like a watch. 3D Systems plans to leverage FreshFiber to complement its Cubify site.

Next up, we have a new bundle offering from Stratasys. The Dimension 3D Print Pack includes printer, startup supplies and a support-removal system. Lease packages begin at $560 for the Dimension Elite 3D Printer and rise slightly to $610 for the Dimension SST 1200es 3D Printer. These lease deals are only available in the U.S.

For those interested in buying, rather than renting, the packs for the Dimension Elite go for $31,900 and the Dimension SST 1200 series sells for $34,900. Along with the printer, the pack includes a SCA-1200 support removal tank, one cartridge of ivory modeling material, one cartridge of soluble support material, one case of either Ecoworks or WaterWorks cleaner, and six modeling bases.

“The Dimension 3D Print Packs offer a complete solution to begin building thermoplastic parts,” says Stratasys Product Manager Mary Stanley. “Customers can purchase a system with the assurance that there will be no surprises or hidden costs.”

Finally, Netherlands designer Dirk Vander Kooij has caused something of a stir by using recycled refrigerators as the raw materials to create chairs using 3D printing. Kooij bought an old industrial robot from China and rebuilt it to work as a 3D printer. His work has netted him a number of awards in Europe. Each chair costs around $1,000 and Kooij says his robot can produce upwards of 4,000 each year. Hopefully we see more of this kind of innovation in the future.

Below you’ll find a video about Kooij’s work.

Sources: 3D Systems, Stratasys, Mashable