Born from a spark of inspiration in 1983, 3D Systems has run on innovation for over 30 years. Co-founded by the inventor of 3D printing, Charles (“Chuck”) Hull, 3D Systems has grown into a global 3D solutions company focused on connecting our customers with the expertise and digital manufacturing workflow required to solve their business, design or engineering problems.

From digitization, design and simulation through manufacturing, inspection and management, our comprehensive portfolio of technologies provides a seamless, customizable workflow designed to optimize products and processes while accelerating outcomes.  With advanced hardware, software and materials as well as on demand manufacturing services and a global team of experts, we are on a mission to transform businesses through manufacturing innovation. 

  • 1983

    Chuck Hull creates the first-ever 3D printed part, inventing Stereolithography

  • Chuck Hull Files his patent for Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA)

  • 1984

    Chuck Hull files his patent for Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA)

  • Chuck Hull Files his patent for Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA)

  • 1986

    3D Systems is co-founded by Chuck Hull and becomes the first 3D printing company in the world

  • 3D Systems is co-founded by Chuck Hull and becomes the first 3D printing company in the world

  • 1987

    3D Systems commercializes the first 3D printer, the SLA-1 Stereolithography (SLA) printer

  • 3D Systems commercializes the first 3D printer, the SLA-1 Stereolithography (SLA) printer

  • 1989

    Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) patent issued

  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) parts

  • 1993

    Patent for groundbreaking force-feedback haptic device filed

  • Geomagic Freeform Touch X 350

  • 1996

    Commercialization process starts for ColorJet Printing (CJP) class of 3D powder-based systems

  • CJP Heart

  • 1996

    3D Systems brings MultiJet Printing (MJP) 3D printers to market

  • Derby the dog

  • 2000

    The release of the first Simbionix virtual reality surgical simulator

  • URO/PERC Mentor Platform

  • 2006

    Patented scan-based design software for reverse engineering brought to market

  • Patented scan-based design software for reverse engineering brought to market

  • 2009

    3D Systems launches capability for On Demand Parts Manufacturing

  • QuickParts - On demand manufacturing

  • 2013

    3D Systems adds Direct Metal Printing (DMP) to portfolio

  • Direct Metal Printed aircraft bracket

  • 2014

    3D Systems expands portfolio with virtual surgical planning (VSP) and leading 3D healthcare products and services

  • VSP - Virtual Surgical Planning

  • 2014

    Chuck Hull is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and receives the European Inventor Award

  • Chuck Hull receiving the European Inventor Award

  • 2016

    3D Systems showcases Figure 4 SLA technology, the next generation of Stereolithography

  • Figure 4 SLA Technology

  • 2018

    3D Systems adds entry-level industrial and projector-based imaging to its portfolio of 3D printers

  • Figure 4 delivers fast, accurate, repeatable 3d printing to manufacturing shop floors

  • The Future

    We continue to connect our customers with the solutions they need to transform their business through their own manufacturing innovation

  • Direct metal printed hip implant