Hearing Aid Manufacturer Widex A/S Purchases Multiple Viper SLA Systems.To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. images, click on the thumbnail A miniature representation of a page or image that is used to identify a file by its contents. Clicking the thumbnail opens the file. Thumbnails are an option in file managers, such as Windows Explorer, and they are found in photo editing and graphics program to quickly browse multiple image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers NOTE: Multimedia asset available A photo is available at URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. : http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.061003/bb7 VALENCIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003 3D Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:TDSCE) announced today that Danish hearing aid manufacturer Widex A/S has acquired multiple Viper SLA (1) (StereoLithography Apparatus) See 3D printing. (2) (Service Level Agreement) A contract between the provider and the user that specifies the level of service expected during its term. (R) systems for custom manufacturing of "In-the-Ear" (ITE ITE Institute of Transportation Engineers ITE In the Ear ITE Information Technology Equipment ITE Initial Teacher Education (UK) ITE Institute of Technical Education ITE Institute of Terrestrial Ecology ) hearing aids Hearing Aids Definition A hearing aid is a device that can amplify sound waves in order to help a deaf or hard-of-hearing person hear sounds more clearly. . A pioneer in hearing aid manufacturing, Widex is 1 of 6 major hearing aid companies which have now purchased the Viper SLA system to revolutionize rev·o·lu·tion·ize tr.v. rev·o·lu·tion·ized, rev·o·lu·tion·iz·ing, rev·o·lu·tion·iz·es 1. To bring about a radical change in: Television has revolutionized news coverage. 2. hearing aid manufacturing. Widex will utilize the stereolithography The first 3D printing technology, which was pioneered by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems. See 3D printing. (SLA) systems as part of their worldwide patented manufacturing method for hearing aid production. "A new paradigm New Paradigm In the investing world, a totally new way of doing things that has a huge effect on business. Notes: The word "paradigm" is defined as a pattern or model, and it has been used in science to refer to a theoretical framework. is occurring in the manufacturing of hearing aids. There are now nearly 29 million people reporting hearing difficulty with only 22% of these currently using hearing aids, and that number will grow as the population ages," said Brian Service, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. for 3D Systems. "Each hearing aid user needs a custom-made hearing aid shell for proper fit and function, and that's where our digital manufacturing solution comes in. Traditional production techniques, which require manual processing of the hearing aid outer shell, simply don't offer manufacturers the ability to fabricate highly accurate outer shells on a production basis." To address the challenge of proper fit and function, 3D Systems developed an advanced digital manufacturing (ADM See add/drop multiplexer. (language) ADM - A picture query language, extension of Sequel2. ["An Image-Oriented Database System", Y. Takao et al, in Database Techniques for Pictorial Applications, A. Blaser ed, pp. 527-538]. (SM)) process to be utilized as an in-line automated manufacturing process to enhance production quality and functionality. Widex chose 3D Systems' Viper SLA system because of its ability to fabricate highly accurate, finely detailed hearing aid shells on a production basis, while maintaining the current hearing aid look and feel. "Our solid imaging systems enable Widex to utilize our systems to produce the final hearing aid shell for in-line manufacturing process. This alleviates production bottlenecks and provides the flexibility needed to meet market demand for faster product delivery and greater accuracy. The industry has a potential to produce an estimated 5-7 million hearing aids per year using our ADM solution," said Wayne Merson, 3D Systems' Business Development Manager for Hearing Aids. "As major hearing aid companies change the way they manufacture hearing aids, we expect the demand for solid imaging systems will continue to grow." "One of the benefits of 3D Systems' technology is the fine feature detail that is achieved using the Viper SLA system to reproduce the custom, made-to-order shell," said Jan Topholm, CEO for Widex. "The material looks and feels like the traditional hearing aids found in the market today. The Viper system allows us to convert a manual production process to a digitally automated process -- CAMISHA CAMISHA Computer-Aided Manufacturing of Individual Shells for Hearing Aids (Widex Hearing Aid Company) (Computer Aided Manufacturing of Individual Shells for Hearing Aids). Our patented manufacturing process, CAMISHA, utilizes the Viper SLA system, combined with advanced scanning, providing significant quality improvements for hearing aid users as well as the personnel engaged in the production and fitting of hearing aids. With CAMISHA, hearing aid users will receive a far more precise and well functioning hearing aid with a better fit and far greater comfort," concluded Topholm. "The Viper SLA systems also allow Widex to create new and more intricate designs that were not possible with the manual process." Widex A/S currently has 5 Viper SLA systems installed and anticipates strategically placing additional Viper systems around the world. To learn more about Widex, their distributors, and the CAMISHA manufacturing process, visit the Widex web site at www.widex.com. About Widex Widex is one of the world's most innovative producers of hearing aids. Time after time the company has presented the market with intelligent innovations. Widex develops digital technology of a quality that only few can match, and which has provided hearing impaired people from all over the world with a better world of sounds. The Danish-based company is today represented in more than 85 countries. Widex's headquarters are in Vaerloese, north of Copenhagen, and the company is still owned and managed by the Topholm and Westermann families, who founded Widex in 1956. Developing and producing top-quality hearing aids that make a difference and provide hearing impaired people with better opportunities for a full life has always been the driving force behind Widex. About 3D Systems Founded in 1986, 3D Systems(R), the solid imaging company(SM), provides solid imaging products and solutions that reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing. Its systems utilize patented technologies to create physical objects from digital input that can be used in design communication, prototyping, and as functional end-use parts. 3D Systems currently offers the ThermoJet(R) solid object printer, SLA(R) (stereolithography) systems, SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) See laser sintering and 3D printing. (R) (selective laser sintering See laser sintering and 3D printer. ) systems, and Accura(R) materials (including photopolymers, metals, nylons, engineering plastics, and thermoplastics). 3D Systems is the originator Originator A bank, savings and loan, or mortgage banker that initially made a mortgage loan that is part of a pool. Also, an investment bank that has worked with the issuer of a new securities offering from the beginning and is usually appointed manager of the underwriting of the advanced digital manufacturing (ADM(SM)) solution for manufacturing applications. ADM is the utilization of 3D Systems' solid imaging technologies to accelerate production of smaller volumes of customized/specialized parts. A typical ADM center is expected to contain multiple 3D Systems' SLA, MJM MJM Multi-Jet Modeling (prototyping manufacturing) MJM Metropolitan Japanese Ministry MJM Married Jewish Male , and/or SLS systems dedicated to full-time manufacturing applications. Product pricing in the U.S. ranges from $49,995 for the ThermoJet printer to $799,000 for the high-end SLA 7000 system. 3D Systems' multiple platform product line enables companies to choose the most appropriate systems for applications ranging from the creation of design communication models to prototypes to production parts. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com, or by phoning 888/337-9786 or 661/295-5600, ext. 2882, internationally. An investor packet can be obtained by calling 800/757-1799. Note to editors: ADM and the solid imaging company are service marks; and si2 is a trademark; and ThermoJet, SLA, SLS, Accura, 3D Systems and the 3D logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems Inc. Certain statements in this news release may include forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. that express the expectation, prediction, belief, or projection of 3D Systems. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, and achievement of 3D Systems to be materially and adversely different from any future results, performance, or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this release and that may affect the company's prospects in general include, but are not limited to: the results of the Audit Committee investigation; the impact of the findings of the Audit Committee on the financial condition of the Company and otherwise, the consequences of a late filing of the Company's Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. under the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq; the outcome of the Company's appeal of Nasdaq's determination to delist delist To drop a security from trading on an organized exchange. Delisting may occur for a number of reasons including failure to meet an exchange's standards or placement of a new listing on another exchange. Compare list. the common stock from the National Market; the addition of an E to the Company trading symbol Trading symbol See: Ticker symbol , thus changing the Company symbol to "TDSCE"; disruption caused by the reconfiguration of the management team; the funding of amounts of capital adequate to provide for the working capital needs of the Company; actions of competitors and customers; the Company's ability to successfully design and produce new products; customer acceptance of new products; the Company's ability to enter into successful relationships with new customers to fully exploit its products; the Company's ability to successfully implement all elements of its restructuring and cost savings program; and such other factors as are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. Note: A photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.061003/bb7 |
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