Z Corporation Introduces First Automated, Monochrome 3D Printer

ZPrinter 350 Delivers High-End 3D Printing Functionality at Entry-Level Price

10/15/09

BURLINGTON, Mass., USA – Z Corporation today unveiled the world’s first automated, monochrome 3D printer and the company’s most affordable automated 3D printer to date, making advanced rapid prototyping technology more accessible to mainstream engineers and architects. Like other Z Corporation 3D printers, the ZPrinter® 350 converts 3D data into physical models much as desktop printers convert word-processing files into physical documents.

Unlike other monochrome 3D printers, the ZPrinter 350 delivers high-end functionality such as:

* automatic material loading
* snap-in binder cartridges
* integrated recycling of unused build material
* self-monitoring operation
* control from both the desktop and printer
* 0.8 in/hour (20 mm/hour) vertical build speed
* 8 x 10 x 8 in (203 x 254 x 203 mm) build size
* 300 x 450 dpi resolution
* office-safe build materials, aggressive dust-control, and zero liquid waste

Available today, the ZPrinter 350 is an ideal choice for organizations seeking the most affordable way to produce one-color prototypes fast, in any office environment.

“The ZPrinter 350 gives a lot more engineering departments access to advanced 3D printing technology at a value price,” said Z Corporation CEO John Kawola. “ZPrinting is going to improve the quality of their products, speed their development processes, and ultimately help the bottom line.”

The ZPrinter 350 also shares the advantages of the entire ZPrinter line, including:

* Industry’s lowest operating costs – one-fifth that of other technologies
* Fastest print speed – produces prototypes five to 10 times faster than all other systems
* Breakthrough ease of use – performs most operations automatically
* High throughput – easily prints multiple models simultaneously, providing the productivity that engineering departments and classrooms need
* High resolution – enables the printing of complex geometries and intricate details
* Safety and office compatibility – no cumbersome supports that must be cut or dissolved with toxic chemicals.

Pricing, Availability
The ZPrinter 350 is available today through Z Corporation’s worldwide reseller network for $25,900 USD (U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price).

About Z Corporation
Z Corporation makes products that enable users to capture, edit, and print 3D data with unprecedented speed, ease, versatility and affordability. These products include the world’s fastest high-definition 3D printers — machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data in multiple colors – and uniquely portable 3D scanners – handheld machines that digitize 3D surfaces in real time. Z Corp. technology is enabling a wide range of applications in manufacturing, architecture, civil engineering, reverse engineering, geographic information systems (GIS), medicine and entertainment.

Z Corporation Unveils World’s Most Affordable Portable 3D Laser Scanner
ZScanner 600 Makes High-Resolution 3D Data Capture Technology Accessible to Mainstream Engineers
09/15/09

BURLINGTON, Mass., USA – Z Corporation today introduced the world’s most affordable portable 3D laser scanner, providing high-resolution 3D data capture to a broad base of users at an economical price.

The ZScanner® 600 extends Z Corporation’s fast-growing line of uniquely handheld, self-positioning scanners, which are more portable and easier to use than traditional 3D scanners. ZScanners streamline data capture for reverse engineering, product design, cultural preservation and other applications.

The $28,900 ZScanner 600 combines these advantages with resolution down to 0.1 mm and XY accuracy up to 80 microns, making it the ideally balanced solution for value-conscious users.

The Value of Portability
Portability in a 3D scanner provides an enormous advantage in ease of use and breadth of application. Z Corporation’s uniquely handheld 3D scanners eliminate the need for fixed-position tripods, bulky mechanical arms or external positioning devices, all of which make hard-to-reach surfaces like auto interiors nearly impossible to scan. Unlike these cumbersome apparatuses, the ZScanner 600 fits in a carry-on suitcase.

ZScanners capture data in one continuous scan rather than in numerous shots from fixed positions, eliminating hours of post-processing time to integrate static shots into a cohesive scan. ZScan® Lite software, included with the scanner, automatically produces an .stl file for import into a 3D CAD software package or output to a 3D printer.

To scan, the user picks up the ZScanner handheld unit and “paints” the object with a projected laser crosshair. The surface is recorded by the ZScanner 600’s binocular cameras. ZScan software generates a polygon mesh of the surface on the computer screen in real time. And since it is self-orienting and part-referenced, the ZScanner 600 lets the user to move the target object during scanning.

Z Corporation handheld 3D scanners have been documented to be four times faster than tripod-mounted systems, which typically require more than 50 individual scans for something as simple as a bicycle helmet.

“The ZScanner 600 is a tremendous addition to our scanning family and one that delivers incredible value, particularly in this challenging economic environment,” said Z Corporation Director of Product Management Joe Titlow. “Our goal with 3D scanners is the same as that of our 3D printers: making high-end, fast and easy-to-use technology affordable for everyone who needs it.”

Pricing, Availability
The ZScanner 600 is available today through Z Corporation’s worldwide reseller network for $28,900 USD (U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price).

About Z Corporation
Z Corporation makes products that enable users to capture, edit, and print 3D data with unprecedented speed, ease, versatility and affordability. These products include the world’s fastest high-definition 3D printers — machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data in multiple colors – and uniquely portable 3D scanners – handheld machines that digitize 3D surfaces in real time. Z Corp. technology is enabling a wide range of applications in manufacturing, architecture, civil engineering, reverse engineering, geographic information systems (GIS), medicine and entertainment.

New AIA Course on 3D Printing Helps Architects, Engineers, and Contractors Improve Project Speed, Affordability and Quality
Powerful Business Technology Offers Way to Quickly and Cost-Effectively Create Detailed Architectural Models on Demand
07/23/09

BURLINGTON, Mass., USA – Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals looking for economical new ways to improve their designs and market their services may benefit from a new course on “3D Printing for Architecture/Engineering/Construction.”

3D printing is a fast and affordable way to create detailed site, infrastructure, and building models from the very first stages of a project. It helps architects, engineers and builders collaborate, ensure accuracy, delight clients and speed projects to completion.

3D printing is a technology that automatically creates tangible physical models from 3D computer data in much the same way that a document printer produces business letters from a word-processing file.

The free 90-minute classroom course, developed by Z Corporation (www.zcorp.com) and registered with the American Institute of Architects, will be delivered around the United States on schedules set by participating Z Corporation authorized partners. The course earns AIA members 1.5 hours of Continuing Education System (CES) learning unit credit.

“Over the past few years, AEC firms and educational institutions have shown increased interest in 3D printing technology as a strategic tool to complement traditional visualization and modeling methods,” said Olimpio DeMarco, Z Corporation director of AEC business development. “This new AIA CES program will detail how 3D printing yields great designs, drives innovation, improves communication and wins new business.”

Unlike more time-consuming and expensive handcrafted models, 3D printed models are ideal for early massing studies, detailed design models, client presentations and regulatory approvals. For architects, engineers and builders themselves, 3D printed models help detect clashes, analyze systems and plan construction.

The AIA course includes an introduction to 3D printing, the printing process, its place in the design workflow, applications, case studies, data integrity, and scaling guidelines. Following the 90-minute course, attendees will examine a range of 3D printed physical models and see 3D printing in action.

Here is the first set of course dates:

* Aug. 5, Anvil Prototype & Design, Wilmington, N.C.
* Aug. 11, Peak Solutions, Portland, Oregon
* Aug. 19, Peak Solutions, Burbank, Calif.
* Aug. 24, Peak Solutions, San Bruno, Calif.
* Aug. 25, Microsol Resources, New York

Information on these and other “3D Printing for Architecture/Engineering/Construction ” courses can be found here: http://www.zcorp.com/en/forward/events.aspx?c=14

To learn more about the course, visit the AIA web site: http://www.aia.org/education/findcourses/index.htm.

About Z Corporation
Z Corporation makes products that enable users to capture, edit, and print 3D data with unprecedented speed, ease, versatility and affordability. These products include the world’s fastest high-definition 3D printers — machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data in multiple colors – and uniquely portable 3D scanners – handheld machines that digitize 3D surfaces in real time. Z Corp. technology is enabling a wide range of applications in manufacturing, architecture, civil engineering, reverse engineering, geographic information systems (GIS), medicine and entertainment.