New strategy as 3D Systems acquires Acu-Cast Technologies

3D Systems Corp. (Rock Hill, SC), a leading provider of 3D printing, rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RP/RM) equipment and materials, acquired the assets of Acu-Cast Technologies, a provider of rapid prototyping and manufacturing services. Acu-Cast offers precision parts made on a wide range of traditional and additive manufacturing systems including rapid prototyping, SLA, SLS, aluminum and zinc coating, urethane casting, and high-speed CNC machining. It operates from a 34,550-ft² facility in Lawrenceburg, TN.
   
Concurrent to the acquisition, 3D Systems announced the launch of 3Dproparts, which it says will be the world’s largest rapid prototyping and parts manufacturing service. The company expects its 3Dproparts service to bring together the widest range of production and additive grade materials and the latest additive and traditional manufacturing systems to enable 3D Systems to deliver to its customers the broadest available range of precision plastic and metal parts and assemblies, said 3D Systems. Those customers, of course, may be the same customers that buyers of 3D Systems’ machines are trying to attract.

In a move to counter such conjuncture, Gary Mitchell, formerly president of Acu-Cast Technologies, said, “As part of 3D Systems’ new 3Dproparts service, we plan to invite all of 3D Systems’ existing Preferred Service Providers and other leading service bureaus to use 3Dproparts as their comprehensive order-fulfillment center.” Acu-Cast has developed a niche as an extension of the in-house modeling, prototyping, and manufacturing capabilities of many of its own customers, as well as being a fulfillment partner for many service bureaus, he added.

While the terms of the transaction were not disclosed, 3D Systems said in a press release that it expects the acquisition to be accretive to its future operating income. 3D Systems is publically traded on the NASDAQ as TDSC.

“Our 3Dproparts service can handle any customer project—large or small—completely within our facilities and in-house expertise, delivering quality, precision real-parts made from production- and additive-grade plastics and metals with speed and efficiency,” said Abe Reichental, president and CEO of 3D Systems. “We expect that the synergies generated by combining our latest generation of Pro systems and materials with Acu-Cast’s extensive experience in additive and traditional manufacturing, coupled with its part building know-how and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, will provide our customers with the ultimate one-stop shopping experience for all their design, prototyping, and manufacturing needs.” —Clare Goldsberry