This two-day, hands-on workshop and demonstration is designed to educate existing and potential customers on the unique challenges of supporting the aerospace and defense sector while introducing them to new industry-specific tools currently under development.

ROCK HILL, S.C., June 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today that it will host an Aerospace and Defense Practicum for Direct Metal Printing (DMP) with industry leaders and Department of Defense experts at Pennsylvania State University, June 21 - 22, 2016. This two-day, hands-on workshop and demonstration is designed to educate existing and potential customers on the unique challenges of supporting the aerospace and defense sector while introducing them to new industry-specific tools currently under development. A growing number of aerospace and defense manufacturers are turning to DMP to reduce part weight and count through innovative design enhancements that were previously impossible using traditional processes.

As an industry sensitive to obtaining high quality parts for demanding operating conditions, the aerospace and defense sector is characterized by stringent regulations and qualification processes that serve as de facto barriers to entry for suppliers. In close collaboration with leading experts and standards bodies, 3D Systems metal engineers will offer hands-on training on the companys DMP technology, and provide guidance on best practices and protocols in industry specific metal applications. Additionally, 3D Systems will showcase an upcoming print process management tool for workflow management in DMP and the companys latest advancements in in-situ monitoring for precise print outcomes. These new capabilities offer 3D Systems DMP users software strategies for optimized printer operation as well as novel non-destructive methodologies for evaluating and qualifying prints inside machine build chambers.

The practicum will feature talks by experts from leading aerospace and defense manufacturers and suppliers, including:

Jared Blecher, Aerospace & Defense Engineer, 3D Systems
William Brindley, Technology Manager, Manufacturing and Aftermarket Technology, Pratt & Whitney
Matthew Donovan, Staff Engineer - Additive Manufacturing, United Technologies Aerospace Systems
Bob Markley, President & Chief Executive Officer, 3rd Dimension
Rich Martukanitz, Director of DARPAs Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Pennsylvania State Universitys Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D)
Sung Park, Manager, Advanced Materials & Process Development, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
Sandeep Rana, Vice President DMP Product Management, 3D Systems
John Schmelzle, Additive Manufacturing and Model Based Definition Initiative Lead Mechanical Engineer, Naval Air Warfare Center Lakehurst, U.S. Navy
Jonas Van Vaerenbergh, Chief Engineer, Direct Metal Printing, 3D Systems
"DMP technology offers the aerospace and defense sector high strength and low weight production," said Neal Orringer, Vice President of Alliances and Partnerships, 3D Systems. "However, we recognize that our customers require more than that: they need to be armed with quality control protocols and tools that ensure repeatability, productivity, and precision. Were combining our in-house metals expertise with the insights of industry leaders and partners to drive innovation and adoption in this key area for additive manufacturing."

3D Systems is a partner of Penn States CIMP-3D, the official Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Facility for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). As a strategic facility for the aerospace and defense sector, CIMP-3D houses two of 3D Systems DMP 3D printers, the ProX® DMP 200 and ProX DMP 320.

For more information on Penn States Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition, visit: http://www.cimp-3d.org/

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on-demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30 year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models.

More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com