3D Systems Forms Rapid Prototyping Alliance With MCP-HEK GmbH.

Business Editors

VALENCIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 2000

3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:TDSC) today announced that MCP-HEK GmbH will become a distributor of ThermoJet(TM) printers in Europe. MCP-HEK GmbH, a world market leader in rapid prototyping equipment, will distribute the ThermoJet printer with its metal part casting process, providing a complete manufacturing solution for customers.

"Today, manufacturers are faced with an urgent demand to condense the product development process and move quickly from a prototype to a final production part," said Grant Flaharty, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at 3D Systems. "With the ThermoJet printer and the metal part casting process by MCP-HEK GmbH, we have addressed the needs of the industry -- by transforming computer designs into metal parts in as little as 24 hours."

"We estimate the current demand for prototype and low-run metal parts to be 30 to 40 percent of the requirement of plastic parts, which is calculated in millions of prototypes," said Hans Ihde, president of MCP-HEK GmbH.

"The MCP metal part casting process has been designed specifically to meet the increasing need for quick, economical metal castings of prototypes in short to medium runs," Ihde said. "We chose the ThermoJet printer over other competitive brands because it operates fully unattended, producing physical models that fulfill all the complex requirements of the design engineer within just hours of the concept."

"Using conventional methods, milling a production tool to manufacture 1,000 pre-production units could take nearly six weeks and is costly. On the other hand, the ThermoJet printer quickly converts computer designs into solid models using technology similar to ink jet printing," Ihde said. Instead of printing ink, the ThermoJet printer deposits layers of molten thermoplastic to build up a solid object. The model is then placed in an automated metal vacuum casting process, which quickly produces up to 20 metal parts for prototyping and production purposes.

"We are continuing to bring complete manufacturing solutions to our customers. This combination links two well-known, reliable and simple procedures -- solid object printing via the ThermoJet printer and the MCP metal part casting process," Flaharty said. "In addition, this alliance will allow our products entry into many new businesses."

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, which 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, Calif., 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 Website at www.3dsystems.com or phone [phone], ext. 742. For an investor packet, call the company's shareholder communications service at [phone].

About MCP-HEK GmbH

The MCP Group is a leading supplier of vacuum casting equipment. The company's machines are used to produce low-run metal and plastic prototypes within hours. Combined with 3D Systems' stereolithography process, MCP's vacuum casting system has played a major role in speeding the introduction of automotive and consumer products into the marketplace. MCP has more than 40 years of experience in plastics and metal tooling technology and pioneered the fusible metal core process for producing automotive plastic inlet manifolds as well as metal spray mould technology. MCP operates six application technology centers in Europe and the U.S.

For more information, visit MCP's website at www.mcp-group.de.

Note to editors: 3D Systems and ThermoJet are trademarks, and Keltool, SLA and the 3D logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems.

Except for the historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including: the ability of the Company to contain costs, increase recurring revenue, and maintain gross revenues at a level necessary to maintain gross profit margins, the availability and acceptance of products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on key personnel and suppliers, industry-wide domestic and international economic conditions, and other risks detailed in the company's SEC reports including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.