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3D Systems Launches Solutions to Speed Up 3D Manufacturing

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3D Systems Corporation (DDD - Free Report) rolled out a number of products and capabilities that aid in accelerating additive manufacturing, a day after it announced the shipping of its first speedy 3D-printing production platform, Figure 4, to a Fortune 50 industrial customer.

The new portfolio of products caters to the growing investment casting, jewelry and dental markets, and also broadens the company’s footprint in precision metal production for aerospace and healthcare markets.

The company expanded its industry-leading MultiJet Wax family with the new ProJet MJP 2500W and VisiJet M2 CAST RealWax material. These products have applications in jewelry and industrial casting. 3D Systems also rolled out VisiJet materials for the MJP 2500 platform. The platform now comes with rigid properties for applications like snap-fit assemblies.

Another breakthrough product launched is a dental model material in rigid tan (VisiJet M2R-TN). This is reportedly the most optimal color for dental models, and delivers superior visual contrast and precision. Other materials introduced are rigid black (VisiJet M2R-BK), rigid white (VisiJet M2R-WT) and rigid clear (VisiJet M2R-CL). The company also extended its 3D Sprint software across the MultiJet printer family.

These developments will enhance the client’s capabilities across key verticals and dramatically boost their digital workflow, according to 3D Systems.

Earlier this week, 3D Systemsdeclared the shipping of its first speedy 3D-printing production platform – Figure 4 – to a buyer. In addition, the company unveiled a Figure 4 platform based on the Figure 4 technology, and NextDent material, which was designed for dental applications.

The machine is designed to revolutionize the use of 3D printing, right from prototyping to large-scale production. In fact, the Figure 4 platform is particularly relevant for the dental industry.

The company plans to ramp up customer-specific shipments in the second half of 2017. This news and the recently introduced solutions for additive manufacturing will likely be welcomed by investors, as the company has struggled to achieve revenue growth over the past couple of years, which has considerably affected its bottom line.

The company’s share price has also followed a similar trend, as 3D Systems has had a bearish run on the bourse over the past two years. Its shares plunged 48.8%, significantly underperforming the Zacks categorized Computers – Mini Computers industry’s average positive return of 5.9%, over the past couple of years.

3D Systems intends to leverage on its technology for production-quality 3D printing in an extensive range of applications. The company is also striving to expand in the key healthcare vertical.3D Systems already has a strong foothold in the dental market, and the Figure 4 system and the latest product introductions will likely expand its footprint significantly in the industry.

It seems that these developments have attracted favorable analyst attention, as 3D Systems’ estimates have witnessed solid bullish activity lately. Over the past month, the company’s 2017 estimate witnessed six upward revisions versus none downward. Consequently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2017 has increased a whopping 143.8% to 39 cents.

3D Systems Corporation Price and Consensus

Thanks to these bullish indicators, 3D Systems holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Stocks to Consider

Other favorably placed stocks in the broader computer & technology sector include Dassault Systemes SA (DASTY - Free Report) , Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP - Free Report) and Aspen Technology, Inc. (AZPN - Free Report) . While Dassault sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Check Point Software and Aspen Technology carry a Zacks Rank #2.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Dassault Systemes, a globally recognized leader in CAD/CAM/CAE and PDM II markets, has a striking earnings surprise history for the trailing four quarters, beating estimates all through for an average positive surprise of 11%.

Check Point Software is a leading provider of policy-based enterprise security and traffic management solutions. The company has a solid earnings surprise history for the trailing four quarters, having beaten estimates thrice, for an average beat of 6%.

Aspen Technology is a recognized expert and leading provider of award-winning process optimization software and services. The company has beaten estimates consistentlyeach time over the trailing four quarters, with an average positive surprise of 20.3%.

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