Since taking the helm of 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD), Vyomesh Joshi (VJ) has gone to great lengths to communicate with investors, analysts and journalists. To this end I was invited to visit the company’s innovative Healthcare Technology Center in Littleton, CO where I spoke with 3D Systems’ CEO VJ andEVP, General Manager, Metals and Healthcare, Kevin P. McAlea.
This was my second formal interview with VJ,our first took place during Chicago’s IMTS当我们在Formnext期间刷肩膀时，首席执行官急切地向访客展示了公司的展位。这种渴望或热情是VJ所遇到的第一件事。
参加了无数的收入电话和新闻发布会，并通过无休止的新闻稿阅读如此真正的热情非常罕见。
“Manufacturing is the future”
Prior to VJ’s selection and appointment as CEO in April 2016, 3D Systems had accumulated a bewildering array of 3D printing companies and sometimes only marginally related businesses. Analysts were divided over whether the results of this spending spree,从2010 - 2014年开始，平均每年有9次收购，可以转变为连贯的业务。
“I don’t think people understand our assets, I don’t think people understand what Kevin and the team have done,” says VJ, “once they see it, and once they get it, (people understand) that this is the formula to go and build all of our verticals。透明
“3D Systems历史上是一家原型公司，我们建立了基于原型制作的非常成功的业务，现在我们认为制造是未来,” adds McAlea.
The Colorado healthcare facility opened in March 2016 and gives a solid impression that the enterprise is not only heading in the right direction, but more importantly has a destination in mind. Healthcare for 3D Systems is a gold standard, if the company can succeed in this tightly regulated environment then the resulting knowledge, discipline and operational agility can be translated to other segments.
3D Systems的员工是企业未来成功的重要组成部分。在今年的贸易展览会期间与许多员工进行了交谈，该小组出现在船上。Glassdoor对匿名，在线雇主评论服务的评论通常支持这一观点。尽管有些评论确实表明，公司所betway必威手机版登录有人尚未完全接受3D系统的所需更改。
“It was a learning experience in terms of acquisitions we’ve made, the skill sets we had, the skill set we developed in terms of what is takes to be successful in manufacturing, it is quite different than the model we had in terms of prototyping,” says McAlea on the challenges facing successful integration of acquisitions and an expanding business model.
The future of 3D printing for production?
Displayed next to reception at the Colorado facility is a working module from 3D Systems’图4configuration。During my visit I am given a tour of the facility, this lasts approximately 60 minutes and by the time I return to reception the Figure 4 module has completed its print run of a full scale model of a human hand’s bone structure. Despite my repeated efforts, 3D Systems still remain tight-lipped on the precise nature of the materials that make this possible. Most likely this will be a story for 2017, as will the specifics of how Figure 4 will be commercialized. This much VJ will say, “materials is going to be a very important part of the innovation of Figure 4。透明
“If you combine Figure 4 with a biocompatible material and some of these workflows we’re talking about, you could set up a localized surgical planning unit. For example in a hospital,” says McAlea. “我确实认为这是一个长期趋势透明he adds. One possibility is that hospitals may use Figure 4 to bring production of medical models onsite, as with any healthcare venture there will be significant regulatory hurdles to pass. McAlea highlights an advantage of 3D Systems in this regard,
在医疗保健中打破3D打印是相对较新的。我们谈论的是2级医疗保健设备，第一个设备回到2012年，因此即使在大公司中，他们对设计问题的了解，他们对如何获得3D打印设备的监管问题的了解仍然相对较低。因此，如果有像3D系统这样的合作伙伴具有知识和专有技术，那使您成为非常有价值的合作伙伴。
Becoming a manufacturing company
VJ tells me, “图4is very exciting technology, I really believe that in my heart, and I said so in Chicago and then at Formnext that for the first time I see a technology that is really going to help us get into light production。透明
The implementation will be different depending on the use case and it will be very broad. It will touch all of the customer segments that I have been talking about.
Working with customers in this manner also requires ensuring that application engineers are available to serve as guides. McAlea explains, “the low risk path for (potential customers) to get into this is to use us as an outsourced partner and then when it gets critical mass internally they move to a mixed model where they bring some of that inhouse。透明
VJ says, “if you want to go from prototyping to manufacturing you need to really understand what use cases will meet customer needs。透明Drawing on his experience in the 2D printing world with HP, the CEO elaborates on this solution based approach,
We wanted to go from the Heidelberg analog printing press to the digital press, I had to go use case by use case: from books, magazines, marketing collateral. You really had to understand the solution to each.
I saw the example in healthcare. What they have done is “let’s start just with facial reconstruction and orthopedic” rather than go (immediately) to cardiovascular where there will be a lot of opportunity. You’ve got to figure out that use case, that particular segment, and then see can you really help (the customer) through the whole design and simulation process.
因为AM是一项技术，所以创新和新设计是真正的价值。很多人只是说：“啊，这是一种塑料印刷技术。”不是，这是从设计开始。因为一旦这样做，您就可以创建更多的形状，这就是医疗保健的真正意义。
2017年的近期未来
“我一直说SLA和SLS是我们的核心技术，您知道生产技术，许多服务机构将SLA/SLS解决方案作为标准。您可以与真正领导市场的服务局交谈，他们可以告诉您，透明says VJ.
As inventors of the first 3D printer, 3D Systems have a long relationship with many service bureaus and this user group can provide valuable insights from the front line of 3D printing. From visiting bureaus, and参加其他3D打印制造商的用户日, this group can be incredibly loyal to the manufacturers who have helped them grow their own enterprises, but also have some of the most critical insights into the technical limitations of the technology.
当然,3 d系统不仅仅是3 d printing with plastics. Availability of the3D SystemsProX DMP 320 metal 3D printer was announced at CESlast year. VJ says the machine is, “not just for healthcare, but also for aerospace for a lot applications”并加上他们的新3DXPERT软件，该公司现在在3D金属印刷市场中取得成功。“We’re going to be really ramping up our metals business in 2017,” VJ adds.
Looming over the 3D Systems Healthcare Technology Center are the mountains where fortunes from the 1850s gold rush were made, the town of Littleton itself was built on the money made at that time. It’s arguable that 3D Systems was swept up during the 3D printing equivalent of the gold rush, events that peaked during 2014. The question is whether a sustainable long-term venture is possible now the hype has subsided. VJ certainly has the vision and has installed trusted associates to carry out the task. Will this be enough? In the CEO’s own words, “stay tuned!透明
Fora behind the scenes look at 3D Systems’ state-of-art healthcare facility then click here。如果您想提名该公司或其他3D打印企业，则follow this link to the 1st Annual 3D Printing Industry Awards nomination page。
Featured image shows 3D Systems CEO, VJ during Chicago’s IMTS. Photo by Michael Petch.
