3D Systems Empowers 100 Museums and Libraries to Bring 3D Technology to Communities Through the MakerLab Club


  • Kicks off the USA-wide community of libraries and museums that are advancing and democratizing 3D digital literacy
  • MakerLab Club's growing membership of libraries and museums to run over 1,000 programs on 3D printing across the country
  • 3DS' commitment to the MakerLab Club featured at the 5th White House Science Fair focused on STEM education

ROCK HILL, S.C., March 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today the first 100 libraries and museums to bring Cube® 3D printing to their communities as part of the MakerLab Club, marking a critical milestone in the company's effort to promote and advance a 3D printing educational ecosystem. Formed in association with the Youth Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), the MakerLab Club is a community of U.S. libraries and museums dedicated to providing the next generation with the digital literacy needed to harness and benefit from the many opportunities in 3D digital design and fabrication.

Selected from over 1,300 applications, these 100 recipient organizations will receive up to four Cube® 3D printers courtesy of 3DS as the centerpiece to their high-tech, 3D-enabled MakerLab spaces. Recipient organizations will use their Cube 3D printers to provide workshops on 3D printing and scanning, and to offer training to local educators and parents on how to use 3D printing tools and technology.

3DS' continued commitment to education and its support of the MakerLab Club was featured at today's 5th White House Science Fair, celebrating the student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions from across America.At the White House Science Fair, 3DS announced that the first 100 libraries and museums awarded the Cube 3D printer have already committed to run over 1,000 3D printing programs across the United States. 3DS also displayed the Cube for students to see 3D printing firsthand, and attendees witnessed the impact of 3D printing with a guest appearance from Derby the Dog, whose 3D printed custom prosthetics allowed him to get up and running for the first time.

"The MakerLab Club delivers unprecedented local access to 3D printing through placement in public facilities," said Leanne Gluck, Director of Social Impact, 3DS. "This new program embodies 3DS' mission to promote 3D education and empower students and institutions by expanding the availability of 3D technology."

To facilitate a positive learning environment and supplement existing programs, all MakerLab Club member organizations will also have access to extensive curricula for their locally held workshops as well as webinars, training, additional equipment discounts, and opportunities to earn free hardware and software.

"The Association of Science-Technology Centers is delighted to partner with 3D Systems and its MakerLab Club to help inspire a generation of young innovators through the use of the latest 3D printing technologies," said Anthony Rock, President and CEO, ASTC. "Working with science centers and museums everywhere, students and teachers alike will explore new creative ideas using advanced 3D printing techniques, sharing these creative concepts and best practices through the MakerLab Club, helping turn today's young visionaries into tomorrow's inventors and problem solvers."

"3D Systems' MakerLab Club will enable library staff to tap into resources and build knowledge to help them better serve today's teens, who need access to the latest technologies, such as 3D printers, in order to prepare for 21st-century careers," said Chris Shoemaker, President, YALSA. "YALSA is pleased to partner with 3D Systems on this important effort."

Through the development of the MakerLab Club and its numerous education initiatives around the world, 3DS is proud to support digital literacy, promote new opportunities for makers and help bring about more public maker spaces. Today, countless libraries and museums support making within their local communities, and 3DS encourages these organizations to join the MakerLab Club and network with other future-focused institutions.

For a full list of awardees and for more information on the MakerLab Club, visit: http://www.3dsystems.com/education/partnersandresources/makerlab-club.

Teachers, educators, non-profits and organizations passionate about youth education can also join 3DS's MAKE.DIGITAL initiative and provide students with tomorrow's skills today. Education inquiries can be made directly to makinggood@3dsystems.com.

Learn more about 3DS's commitment to manufacturing the future today at www.3dsystems.com.

About 3D Systems

3D Systems provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D digital design and fabrication solutions available today, including 3D printers, print materials and cloud-sourced custom parts. Its powerful ecosystem transforms entire industries by empowering professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life using its vast material selection, including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS' leading personalized medicine capabilities save lives and include end-to-end simulation, training and planning, and printing of surgical instruments and devices for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D digital design, fabrication and inspection products provide seamless interoperability and incorporate the latest immersive computing technologies. 3DS' products and services disrupt traditional methods, deliver improved results and empower its customers to manufacture the future now.

Leadership Through Innovation and Technology

  • 3DS invented 3D printing with its Stereolithography (SLA) printer and was the first to commercialize it in 1989.
      
  • 3DS invented Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing and was the first to commercialize it in 1992.
       
  • 3DS invented the ColorJet Printing (CJP) class of 3D printers and was the first to commercialize 3D powder-based systems in 1994.
      
  • 3DS invented MultiJet Printing (MJP) printers and was the first to commercialize it in 1996.
      
  • 3DS Medical Modeling pioneered virtual surgical planning (VSP) and its services are world-leading, helping many thousands of patients on an annual basis.

Today its comprehensive range of 3D printers is the industry's benchmark for production-grade manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, patient specific medical device and a variety of consumer, electronic and fashion accessories.

More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.



            

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