Automotive Design and Production

JUN 2013

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ACCELERATE AD&P; > June 2013 > ACCELERATE 3D Systems Picks Up RPDG, Shapeways Picks Up $30M 3D Systems (3dsystems.com) continues its growth path by purchasing Rapid Product Development Group (rpdg.com), an on-demand additive and traditional manufacturing company. RPDG was included in the 2012 Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. 3D Systems says it plans to integrate RPDG's capabilities into its Quickparts services. led by Andreesen Horwitz. Union Square Ventures, Index Ventures, and Lux Capital, also contributed to the round. "We are very pleased to add a proven service provider and innovator of RPDG's reputation, experience and scale to our rapidly growing, global network of on-demand parts services," said Ziad Abou, vice president and general manager, Quickparts Services for 3D Systems. On Shapeways.com consumers are able to make, buy and sell custom products. They range from the trinket department, such as iPhone cases and jewelry, to functional parts. Meanwhile, one of the frst online 3D printing communities, Shapeways (shapeways.com), also is in growth mode with a $30-million series C venture capital investment "Our vision is big; we want to make 3D printing afordable and accessible for everyone worldwide. This funding will help us realize our vision at an even faster rate," said Shapeways Co-Founder and CEO Peter Weijmarshausen. With a community totaling 300,000 members, Shapeways has printed and shipped more than a million 3D products this far. The company says 60,000 new designs are uploaded each month. ROBOTIC END EFFECTORS Robotic Tool Changers increase flexibility and productivity. Superior Fail-Safe—springless design maintains lock position in event of air pressure loss Specially Tapered Cam—second taper produces high locking strength Locking Balls—Low-friction locking balls extend the life of the unit Lock Ring—Wide footprint of lock ring creates high moment capacity in locking mechanism • Increase the flexibility of your robots by adding the ability to use more than one end-effector in an application. • Production line tooling changed in seconds for maximum flexibility. • Change tools in seconds for maintenance and repair. • Increase operator safety by changing tools automatically. • Million-cycle tested for reliability. 54 Over 20 Years of Robotic End-Effector Innovation www.ati-ia.com/adtc 919.772.0115

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