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3D Systems (DDD) Introduces New Stereolithography Printers

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3D Systems (DDD - Free Report) recently boosted its stereolithography (SLA) printer portfolio by introducing two new printers – SLA 750 and SLA 750 Dual. Designed to address large format or high-volume production applications, the two additive manufacturing (AM) solutions are claimed to be the company’s fastest SLA printers.

The SLA 750 AM solution is a single-laser configuration that delivers up to 30% faster print speed than previous-generation SLA printers. The SLA 750 printer can be upgradable on-site to the SLA 750 Dual model, which is a synchronous, dual-laser system. The SLA 750 Dual delivers up to two times faster print speed and up to three times faster throughput compared with previous-generation SLA printers.

3D Systems noted that the two printers have a 15% larger build envelope and smaller hardware footprint than previous models that allow manufacturers to optimize and scale production. Moreover, both printers come with 3D Sprint, all-in-one software to prepare, optimize and print 3D CAD (three-dimensional computer-aided design) data.

The 3D Sprint software offers all the necessary tools required to quickly and efficiently move from design to high-quality, true-to-CAD printed parts production, thereby eliminating the need to rely on multiple software packages.

DDD plans for the general availability of SLA 750 in the second quarter of 2022, while SLA 750 Dual is planned to be made available in the fourth quarter of 2022.

New Material for SLA Printers

3D Systems rolled out a new material — Accura AMX Durable Natural — designed to be used with the company’s SLA technology. The 3D printer manufacturer claims that Accura AMX Durable Natural is the industry’s toughest production-grade SLA resin, which can withstand repeated high mechanical loads and shocks.

3D Systems revealed that the resin has gone through a mechanical performance test for up to eight years of indoor and 1.5 years of an outdoor environment. It noted that the material is ideal for end-use applications in markets across transportation & motorsports, consumer technology & durable goods, manufacturing services, aerospace and healthcare.

Per 3D Systems, the Accura AMX Durable Natural resin is immediately available on order.

New Faster Post-Processing System

The company introduced a new industrial-scale, post-processing system – PostCure 1050. The 3D printing solution provider stated that the system offers high-volume, high-speed drying and curing for batch jobs and large parts up to 1050mm x 750mm x 600mm.

3D Systems claims that PostCure 1050 delivers cure times and throughput that are five times faster than comparable solutions in the market. The new post-processing system is compatible with all 3D Systems resin printers and suitable for all current and future material innovations.

The company plans to make the general availability of PostCure 1050 in the third quarter of 2022.

Efforts to Enhance 3D Printing Capabilities

With the booming 3D printing industry, the company’s focus on this market presents a favorable long-term opportunity. A majority of 3D Systems customers are shifting from prototyping to end-use production using 3D printing technology and the company believes it is well-positioned to aid them in their transformation. It anticipates that robust demand for production printers, materials and software will continue to act as a major catalyst in the days to come, thereby driving growth.

3D technology has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing and improve the commercial space. Various companies, ranging from hospital managers to car manufacturers, are now opting for varied 3D solutions to address simple make-to-stock orders and complex, engineer-to-order production strategies.

Consequently, the company has been expanding its operational processes to meet the rising demand across diverse sectors. For instance, sectors like automotive, consumer products, government and defense, industrial/business machines, education research and others (arts and architecture) are expected to spur further demand for 3D printing products. Apart from these, aerospace and the trillion-dollar oil & gas industry are showing a penchant for 3D printing too, which will aid the company’s growth in the future.

Moreover, 3D Systems has been making acquisitions to diversify its offerings, add synergistic technology and expand the company’s domain expertise in operating markets. DDD secured an important place in sectors like manufacturing, medical and aerospace while pursuing unconventional sectors like food and fashion. 3D Systems expects its portfolio of innovative products to drive more than 30% organic growth over the next couple of years, thereby enhancing its margins and earnings.

However, 3D Systems’ near-term profitability is likely to continue to be hurt by incremental sales generated from lower-margin products. The company is trying to boost margins by lowering operating expenses. We opine that it will be a tough task for the company to lower operating expenses as it will have to continue investing in marketing and research & development to generate higher sales, which will weigh on the company’s operating margins.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

3D Systems currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader technology sector include Jabil (JBL - Free Report) , Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) and Apple (AAPL - Free Report) . While Jabil sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Broadcom and Apple each carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Jabil’s third-quarter fiscal 2022 earnings has been revised upward to $1.62 per share from $1.46 30 days ago. For fiscal 2022, earnings estimates have been revised upward by 67 cents to $7.25 per share in the past 30 days.

Jabil’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 13.5%. Shares of JBL have rallied 15.3% in the trailing 12 months.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Broadcom’s second-quarter fiscal 2022 earnings has been revised upward by 10.2% to $8.64 per share over the past 30 days. For fiscal 2022, earnings estimates have moved upward by 7.1% to $35.49 per share over the past 30 days.

Broadcom’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 1.9%. Shares of AVGO have rallied 30% over the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Apple’s second-quarter fiscal 2022 earnings has been revised upward by seven cents to $1.43 per share over the past 90 days. For fiscal 2022, earnings estimates have moved upward by a penny to $6.16 per share in the past 60 days.

Apple’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice in the preceding four quarters while meeting the same on one occasion, the average surprise being 20.3%. AAPL stock has soared 41.7% in the past 12 months.


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