
Hexagon & 3D Systems
Hexagon acquires 3D Systems’ Geomagic suite.
Hexagon has announced the acquisition of 3D Systems’ inspection and 3D modelling software, the Geomagic Suite. The digital realities specialist will utilise the platform to aid with creating high-quality 3D models from various sources like laser scanning. Hexagon will pay $123M to obtain the Geomagic software platform.
The Geomagic suite includes products like Design X, Control X, Freeform and Wrap that help automate 3D scan data processes that help build digital models from physical objects. Additionally, the platform’s tools can aid with initial free-form design, modify existing CAD models, and perform accurate measurements and inspections of parts for quality control purposes.
These new abilities will help strengthen Hexagon’s existing software portfolio. Combined with the company’s metrology sensors it delivers improved solutions for a variety of manufacturing applications.
“The combination of Geomagic and our existing solutions will further strengthen our market leadership in 3D metrology and reengineering, demonstrating our commitment to deliver increasingly user-friendly tools capable of executing complex tasks, so our customers can bring innovative, high-quality products to the market at speed and with confidence. We look forward to welcoming the Geomagic team to Hexagon,” said Norbert Hanke, interim President and CEO.
“The additive manufacturing (AM) industry is rapidly evolving, and we believe there are significant opportunities to drive innovation that is critical to the wide-spread adoption of 3D printing in production environments,” said Dr Jeffrey Graves, President & CEO of 3D Systems. “While advanced printing hardware and engineering materials are essential to the new applications that are of most interest to our customers, software is equally important to the mass adoption of the technology. As the company that commercialised the first 3D printing technology nearly four decades ago and has the most extensive experience in mass production of custom components, 3D Systems is well-positioned to be a leader in moving AM from the lab to the factory floor. The changes we’re announcing today will sharpen our focus on those software platforms that are most critical to our customers’ success in this new-use environment. By streamlining our software operations, focusing exclusively on our core platforms, and leveraging the exceptional capabilities that AI is now making available to us, we will be better positioned to support our customers' most critical requirements as they move 3D printing into high-volume production environments.”
Dr Graves concluded, “For those thousands of loyal Geomagic customers who have been essential to our growth, we believe that Hexagon is an ideal strategic owner for these assets and that the future will be bright under their stewardship. For 3D Systems’ stakeholders, this transaction leaves the Company very well-positioned for the future, with the broadest technology base in the industry, the scale needed to support our customers in production environments, and a fortified balance sheet to continue driving our industry-leading innovation.”