3D Systems Expands Use of Heat-Resistant Material; SL 5530 Resin Now Available for SLA 7000 System.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

VALENCIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2000

3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:TDSC) today announced the availability of CIBATOOL(R) SL 5530 material for use in its SLA(R) 7000 system. The resin features high heat resistance and is the first material with "tunable" physical properties.

SL 5530 is one in a series of materials under development, in conjunction with 3D Systems partner Ciba Specialty Chemicals, to increase the functionality and range of applications for the SLA product line.

Used with the SLA 7000 system, SL 5530 material withstands temperatures up to 200 degrees C (392 degrees F). In addition, the material can be "tuned" to optimize accuracy or heat resistance. As a result, SL 5530 resin is ideal for creating functional prototypes for a variety of industries, as well as creating master patterns for vacuum-formed tooling and high-temperature molding applications.

The tunability process refers to the resin's physical properties, which can be adjusted based on the build style of the solid imaging system. In effect, a finished solid object produced from a single vat of resin theoretically can have different material characteristics in different areas of the part.

"SL 5530 -- as used in the SLA 7000 system -- is the first example of our breakthrough tunability technology," said Mervyn Rudgley, senior director of business development for materials. "It's a direct result of our effort to produce versatile materials that meet our customers' needs.

"Our strengthened relationship with Ciba is allowing us to produce materials that increase the value of our SLA machines to customers in their product development and manufacturing. This effort to create highly functional materials ultimately allows our customers to further condense their manufacturing process and gain significant competitive advantages," Rudgley said.

Since its launch in December 1998, SL 5530 has been available for use with the company's SLA 3500 and SLA 5000 solid imaging systems. The resin has produced countless parts with high performance levels under adverse testing conditions.

Many 3D Systems customers currently use SL 5530 material in high-temperature applications. Lockheed Martin saved labor time and cost using the material to build tooling for composite parts for jet aircraft. Bell Helicopter Textron used the technology to produce tooling for aircraft glareshields and condensed their project by at least four months.

Brian Service, president and chief executive officer, said: "Materials development is an important component of the company's business strategy, and we will continue to aggressively develop breakthrough materials for our solid imaging products."

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides solid imaging products and services that substantially reduce the time and cost required to design, test and manufacture products. The company's systems utilize patented technologies that create physical objects from digital input.

3D Systems currently offers the ThermoJet(TM) office printer and SLA(R) industrial systems, which include proprietary software and materials. These products offer a wide range of applications to a variety of industries. The company also licenses the 3D Keltool(R) process, a complementary application to the SLA product line that produces injection molding and die casting inserts from SLA system master patterns.

Based in Valencia, 3D Systems was founded in 1986 and is recognized as the world technology and market leader in solid imaging. For additional information, visit the company's Web site at www.3dsystems.com or phone [phone], ext. 734. For an investor packet, call the company's shareholder communications service at 800/757-1799.

Note to Editors: 3D Systems and ThermoJet are trademarks, and Keltool, SLA and the 3D logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems. CIBATOOL is a registered trademark of Ciba Specialty Chemicals.

Except for the historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including: the availability and acceptance of products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; dependence on key personnel and suppliers; industrywide domestic and international economic conditions; and other risks detailed in the company's SEC reports on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1999, and reports on Form 10-Q filed by the company with the SEC during the current fiscal year.