Company Description
3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) is a manufacturing technology company focused on additive manufacturing and 3D printing. According to the company’s own descriptions, its origins trace back nearly 40 years to the work of Chuck Hull, whose efforts "gave birth to 3D printing, 3D Systems, and the additive manufacturing industry." From that foundation, 3D Systems has developed a portfolio of 3D printing technologies, materials, software and services that are used to change how products are designed and manufactured across multiple high-value markets.
The company is described as a full-service solutions partner that delivers 3D printing technologies, materials and software to markets such as medical and dental, aerospace, space and defense, transportation and motorsports, AI infrastructure, and durable goods. It also reports two primary operating segments, Healthcare Solutions and Industrial Solutions, and indicates in third-quarter 2025 financial disclosures that it generates revenue from both products and services. These products and services include hardware printer sales, materials, and a range of service offerings that encompass virtual surgical planning, patient-specific devices, and other application-focused solutions.
3D Systems’ business model combines hardware, materials, software and application expertise. In its public communications, the company emphasizes application-specific solutions, where hardware and materials are paired with software and engineering know-how to address targeted use cases. Examples cited by the company include medical and dental applications, aerospace and defense components, transportation and motorsports parts, AI infrastructure, and durable goods. The company also highlights its role in transforming manufacturing processes through additive technologies that can support complex geometries, rapid iteration and new design approaches.
Healthcare and medical technology focus
Within its Healthcare Solutions segment, 3D Systems emphasizes personalized healthcare and medical technology. The company reports that its Med Tech business has delivered hundreds of thousands of patient-matched cases and devices and highlights offerings such as VSP Orthopedics, a virtual surgical planning and patient-specific instrumentation platform. In December 2025, 3D Systems announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted 510(k) clearance expanding indications for VSP Orthopedics to include skeletally mature adolescents of normal bone stature, in addition to adults. The company states that VSP Orthopedics cases generate service fees for virtual planning combined with revenue from patient-specific 3D-printed anatomic models and single-use surgical guides produced on its additive manufacturing platforms.
The company describes its healthcare solutions as focused on high-margin personalized healthcare, with virtual planning and patient-specific devices used in areas such as tumor resection, osteotomy and reconstruction. It also notes that expanded indications for its platforms are intended to support growth in its Healthcare segment. In its financial commentary for the third quarter of 2025, 3D Systems points to continued strong growth in its Medical Technology business and references personalized health services and dental solutions as important contributors within healthcare.
Industrial and aerospace & defense applications
3D Systems’ Industrial Solutions segment serves markets including aerospace, space and defense, transportation, motorsports, energy and industrial casting. The company reports that Aerospace & Defense (A&D) is on track to become its largest and fastest-growing industrial business, supported by investments in capacity, technology and domestic manufacturing infrastructure. It highlights revenue from production printing systems and custom metal parts as core recurring elements of this business.
The company has detailed plans and investments related to its A&D Application Center of Excellence in Littleton, Colorado, where it is adding significant square footage to expand capacity for application development, process qualification, validation and production-scale manufacturing. 3D Systems notes that this facility is being positioned for certification under the America Makes JAQS-SQ framework and leverages quality infrastructure originally established through its medical technology business, including production of high-performance metal implants on its DMP 350 system.
3D Systems also reports participation in a multi-phase, U.S. Air Force–sponsored program to develop next-generation laser powder-bed fusion technologies for large-format, high-efficiency metal part production. It states that these technologies are intended to support an expanding range of U.S. defense systems. The company further describes a fully domestic U.S. ecosystem for large-frame metal additive manufacturing, encompassing system design in San Diego, printer manufacturing in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and certified metal parts production and application development in Littleton, Colorado.
Global footprint and partnerships
Beyond the United States, 3D Systems points to complementary global capabilities. It cites aerospace-focused design and application expertise in Leuven, Belgium, and metal printer production in Riom, France, supporting aerospace and defense customers in Europe and other regions. The company also highlights its role in the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Company (NAMI), a joint venture established in Saudi Arabia with Dussur to support that country’s Vision 2030 program.
Through NAMI, 3D Systems reports that it brings metal and polymer 3D printing and application expertise to Saudi Arabia’s energy and defense sectors. It notes milestones such as an agreement for Saudi Electric Company to acquire a stake in NAMI, a framework agreement with Modern Isotopes Factory for tungsten components used in non-destructive testing, and a collaboration with Lockheed Martin to qualify and manufacture critical military and aerospace components in Saudi Arabia for international markets. The company’s Direct Metal Printing technology and application expertise are identified as central to these initiatives.
Polymer and metal printing technologies
3D Systems describes a portfolio that includes both polymer and metal additive manufacturing solutions. In polymer printing, the company has highlighted stereolithography (SLA) platforms and MultiJet Printing (MJP) systems. For example, it has announced the SLA 825 Dual, a large-frame stereolithography printer designed for high-throughput applications in automotive, motorsports, aerospace, space and service bureaus. The SLA 825 Dual is described as having a larger build volume, dual-laser architecture and a workflow that supports high surface quality and accuracy.
The company also introduced ArrayCast, a software tool integrated with its 3D Sprint software for investment casting workflows. ArrayCast is described as enabling digital assembly of casting trees, with configurable runners, sprues and end effectors, and is intended to reduce manual labor and improve consistency in foundry operations. In addition, 3D Systems has expanded its SLA materials portfolio with resins such as Accura SbF, designed for QuickCast investment casting patterns, and Accura Xtreme Black, a prototyping resin for form, fit and function applications.
In jewelry manufacturing, 3D Systems has presented the MJP 300W Plus, a 3D wax printer for precious metal jewelry casting. The company states that this system prints intricate wax patterns using VisiJet 100% wax materials, and that its combination of resolution, dissolvable and meltable supports, and software-controlled print modes is intended to reduce polishing time, material waste and post-processing labor. The printer is also described as including cybersecurity features designed to keep pattern design files local and to align with anticipated cybersecurity standards.
Software platforms and AI focus
Software is a core component of 3D Systems’ offering. The company has developed 3D Sprint, a software platform that powers its polymer 3D printing systems and is used for design-file preparation and process optimization. It reports that 3D Sprint is deployed across a large installed base of printers and that it intends to expand 3D Sprint’s capabilities by leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to improve part quality, speed design for additive manufacturing, optimize workflows and enhance ease of use in factory environments.
3D Systems has also developed printer-agnostic software platforms, including Oqton Manufacturing Operating System (MOS) and 3DXpert for metal printing. It has announced an agreement for Hubb Global Holdings to acquire these platforms, with the objective of accelerating industrywide adoption of production-scale 3D metal printing and supporting mixed fleets of metal printers. Under this arrangement, Oqton MOS and 3DXpert are expected to operate as independent, printer-agnostic solutions, while 3D Systems plans to continue using 3DXpert within its own metal printing portfolio through a strategic relationship with Hubb Global Holdings.
Financial reporting and capital structure
3D Systems files regular reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and provides detailed financial information on revenue, gross profit, operating expenses and segment performance. In its third-quarter 2025 results, the company reported revenue from both products and services and provided segment-level data for Healthcare Solutions and Industrial Solutions. It also discussed cost reduction initiatives, gross margin trends and expectations for sequential revenue growth, while emphasizing that such statements are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties.
The company’s capital structure includes convertible senior notes and other debt instruments. In late 2025, 3D Systems reported privately negotiated exchanges of a portion of its 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 for shares of common stock and amendments to the indenture governing its 5.875% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2030. These amendments reduced the minimum cash requirement and removed a restricted cash account, as described in the company’s Form 8-K filings. The company also disclosed the issuance of shares to a financial advisor as an unregistered sale of equity securities under an exemption from registration.
Strategic themes
Across its public communications, 3D Systems emphasizes several recurring themes: application-specific solutions that integrate hardware, materials, software and expertise; focus on high-value markets such as healthcare, aerospace and defense, transportation and jewelry; and the use of additive manufacturing to transform manufacturing workflows. The company frequently references its goal of "Transforming Manufacturing for a Better Future" and highlights both domestic and international initiatives aimed at building resilient, localized supply chains and expanding the use of 3D printing in production environments.
FAQs about 3D Systems (DDD)
- What does 3D Systems Corporation do?
3D Systems develops and sells additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies, materials, software and services. It positions itself as a full-service solutions partner serving markets such as medical and dental, aerospace, space and defense, transportation and motorsports, AI infrastructure and durable goods. - How is 3D Systems’ business organized?
The company reports two primary segments: Healthcare Solutions and Industrial Solutions. It also discloses revenue from products, such as hardware printers and materials, and from services, including application-focused offerings like virtual surgical planning. - Which markets are most important for 3D Systems?
3D Systems highlights high-value markets including medical and dental, aerospace, space and defense, transportation and motorsports, AI infrastructure, durable goods, energy and jewelry. It has indicated that Aerospace & Defense is on track to become its largest industrial business. - What is VSP Orthopedics?
VSP Orthopedics is 3D Systems’ virtual surgical planning and patient-specific instrumentation platform. The company reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) clearance expanding its indications to include skeletally mature adolescents of normal bone stature, in addition to adults, and that VSP cases generate service fees and revenue from patient-specific 3D-printed models and guides. - How does 3D Systems participate in aerospace and defense?
The company provides metal and polymer additive manufacturing solutions for aerospace and defense applications, including production printing systems and custom metal parts. It is expanding its A&D Application Center of Excellence in Littleton, Colorado, and participates in U.S. Air Force–sponsored programs and international collaborations through its NAMI joint venture and European operations. - What software does 3D Systems offer?
3D Systems offers 3D Sprint for its polymer printing platforms and has developed Oqton MOS and 3DXpert as printer-agnostic software for metal additive manufacturing. It has announced a transaction for Hubb Global Holdings to acquire Oqton MOS and 3DXpert, while 3D Systems plans to focus its internal development on 3D Sprint and continue using 3DXpert through a strategic relationship. - How is 3D Systems involved in jewelry manufacturing?
The company offers the MJP 300W Plus 3D wax printer and VisiJet 100% wax materials for producing intricate wax patterns used in casting precious metal jewelry. It describes this solution as enabling complex geometries, reduced polishing time, lower material waste and improved efficiency for both high-volume manufacturers and custom jewelry makers. - What is NAMI and how is 3D Systems involved?
NAMI (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Company) is a joint venture established by 3D Systems and Dussur in Saudi Arabia to support the country’s Vision 2030 program. 3D Systems provides advanced hardware solutions, materials and application expertise to NAMI, which focuses on energy and defense sectors and has announced partnerships with organizations such as Saudi Electric Company, Modern Isotopes Factory and Lockheed Martin. - On which exchange does 3D Systems trade and under what symbol?
According to its SEC filings, 3D Systems’ common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DDD. - Where can investors find official financial information about 3D Systems?
Investors can review the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, as well as earnings press releases that summarize quarterly and annual financial results and provide management commentary.