3D Systems supports fractional ownership

Tangible Express has adopted a business model that has been used successfully in fractional business jet ownership to develop the Tangible Alliance Program (TAP). This enables customers to purchase from Tangible Express a fraction of a 3D Systems rapid prototyping and manufacturing system based on the customer's anticipated annual system utilisation and parts demand. Customers can purchase single or multiple fractions in 3D Systems equipment owned and operated by Tangible Express, which includes 3D Systems' entire additive manufacturing technologies' portfolio, at prices well below the cost of a single system. Tangible Express operates the system, provides maintenance, builds, and ships parts in accordance with its TAP fractional owners' requirements.

Under the new collaborative arrangement, 3D Systems will support Tangible Express' Tangible Alliance Program with promotional marketing and other product and technical support activities.

New expansion

To fuel the anticipated growth of this exciting program, Tangible Express recently ordered ten more stereolithography and selective laser sintering systems from 3D Systems. To accommodate the arrival of its expanded fleet of 3D Systems machines and to be able to offer broader materials selection and faster turn around service for its customers, Tangible Express just relocated into a new, larger state-of-the-art facility.

Abe Reichental, 3D Systems' president and chief executive officer, comments: "Supporting Tangible Express with such an innovative, first-in-our-industry program is another significant step in expanding access to our system solutions and enabling an increasing number of potential users to experience the difference our solutions can make in their design and manufacturing activities. We believe that this new channel for delivering rapid prototyping and manufacturing solutions will accelerate the adoption and use of our systems and materials, by making our solutions more accessible to a broader audience. We know for a fact that many of today's users desire to have SLA- and SLS-like parts but end up settling for lesser systems due to their current volume requirements.

"Tangible Express and 3D Systems are focused on the same goal – delivering the benefits of our systems' solutions to a growing audience by making ownership and operation of our systems more affordable and right-sized to individual customer needs. We look forward to working with Tangible Express to help its TAP program succeed in transforming the way companies design, develop and manufacture their products."

Alex Linde, Tangible Express' President and chief operating officer, adds: "Fractional ownership of rapid prototyping and manufacturing systems provides a solution never before available to those who wish to access these capabilities. Using the Tangible Alliance Program, fractional owners gain access to multiple RP processes and materials for a fraction of the total cost of ownership."

Tangible's founder and chief executive officer David McInnis concludes: "Tangible Express is introducing an entirely new concept to the rapid design and manufacturing industry. Fractional ownership has never been applied to the manufacturing sector until now. To have a company like 3D Systems share our vision of how fractional ownership can make the industry more dynamic as part of our team is exciting to us."