Renault F1 Team and 3D Systems Launch Advanced Digital Manufacturing Center

    VALENCIA, Calif.--Feb. 24, 2003--3D Systems Corp. has announced the launch of the Advanced Digital Manufacturing (ADM(SM)) Center with the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team. Under the new five-year agreement, 3D Systems and the Renault F1 Team have launched an Advanced Digital Manufacturing Centre at the team's facility at Enstone, part of the UK motorsport valley in Oxfordshire. The ADM Centre specifically concentrates on Formula 1 design and low-run production parts for the Renault F1 Team car.
    From the early days of the partnership in 1998, the team had been gradually expanding the use of solid imaging technology from rapid prototyping to manufacturing of wind tunnel models. These steps have led to direct manufacturing of production parts for testing and racing and in 2001, the first SLA(R) system parts were fitted into a racecar.
    The facility launched on Friday 21 February, features four SLA 7000 Systems, an OptoForm(TM) direct composite manufacturing (DCM) system and a ThermoJet(R) printer. They provide advanced manufacturing tools to support the aerodynamic development of Renault F1 single-seat racecars. Future additions to the ADM Centre will include 3D Systems' SLS(R) (selective laser sintering) systems.
    Mike Gascoyne, technical director of Renault F1 Team UK said, "I am extremely pleased to see our partnership with 3D Systems flourish. I have been a strong believer in this technology since its first steps into Formula 1. It is now great to see a manufacturing structure of this capacity become exclusive to our facility. 3D Systems has been very responsive to the challenges posed by our environment. Together our engineers have worked for some time as a team to push the boundaries of this technology into real world applications."
    "Digital manufacturing of actual components is exactly what we need for our aerodynamic program," Gascoyne added. "We can rapidly make 50 of every single part you see on the car for wind tunnel testing. After wind tunnel testing we can chose the best design. This gives us the ability to test more parts for the same budget, which is a huge advantage for us. Not only can we build finished components a hundred times faster, but each part is infinitely more accurate.
    "The changeover from last year's bodywork to a new aerodynamic package developed using ADM technology results in the Renault F1 Team racecar expected to go 1.5 seconds a lap quicker on the racetrack than earlier in the season. What's that worth in motor racing terms? You can't put a price on it."
    Flavio Briatore, managing director of Renault F1 Team said, "Formula 1 is an intensely competitive environment in which the Renault F1 Team has historically excelled at developing crucial technological advantages over its rivals. To succeed again, we must collaborate with the strongest partners. I am delighted that 3D Systems has chosen the Renault F1 Team to showcase its innovative technology."
    "The launch of the ADM Center showcases what the combined efforts of 3D Systems and the Renault F1 Team have created over the past five years. The Renault F1 Team has been able to expand the use of our technology into real world manufacturing opportunities," said Grant Flaharty president and COO 3D Systems. "Our technologies have become a new and effective manufacturing process for many companies to reduce both cycle time and cost. Using our systems, companies such as the Renault F1 Team, are capable of building parts on demand directly from digital data. Companies are integrating ADM production into everyday manufacturing to create quick, accurate, production parts on demand."

    About 3D Systems

    Founded in 1986, 3D Systems, the solid imaging company(SM), provides solid imaging products and solutions that reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing. Its systems utilize patented technologies to create physical objects from digital input that can be used in design communication, prototyping, and as functional end-use parts.
    3D Systems currently offers the ThermoJet(R) solid object printer, SLA(R) (stereolithography) systems, SLS(R) (selective laser sintering) systems, and Accura(R) materials (including photopolymers, metals, nylons, engineering plastics, and thermoplastics).
    3D Systems is the originator of the advanced digital manufacturing (ADM(SM)) solution for manufacturing applications. ADM is the utilization of 3D Systems solid imaging technologies to accelerate production of smaller volumes of customized/specialized parts. A typical ADM center is expected to contain multiple 3D Systems' SLA, MJM and/or SLS systems dedicated to full-time manufacturing applications.
    Product pricing in the U.S. ranges from $49,995, for the ThermoJet printer, to $799,000 for the high-end SLA 7000 system. 3D Systems' multiple platform product line enables companies to choose the most appropriate systems for applications ranging from the creation of design communication models to prototypes to production parts. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com, or by phoning 888/337-9786, or 661/295-5600 ext. 2882 internationally. An investor packet can be obtained by calling 800/757-1799.

    Note to editors: ADM and the solid imaging company are service marks; and si2 and OptoForm is a trademark; and ThermoJet, SLA, SLS, Accura and the 3D logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems Inc.

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