3-D Printing, Soligen and Other Companies
Question 1: Select 2-3 companies profiled in the case and discuss the formulation of their respective strategies for commercializing the TDP Technology
The three companies we would further discuss are the Soligen, Specific Surface Corporation (SSC) and Z Corp.
Sloigen:
Soligen Technology Inc. was founded by Yehoramo Uziel, it was incorporated in Delaware in October 1991, and commenced operations in April 1992. Soligen is a metal casting industry which produces fully functional 3-Dimensional cast metal components. Typically the lengths of time to make castings are approximately 6-12month. However with Soligen’s unique technology known as DSPC (Direct Shell Production Casting) the length of production is reduced to weeks or even days.
One of the main advantages that Soligen has was the founder Uziel had vast knowledge about metal casting before working with the 3DP process. He was the vice president of engineering at 3D system, a rapid prototyping firm. While he was at 3D systems, Uziel developed rapid prototyping machines based on streolithography for Ford Motors, General Motors and Chrysler Uziel knew that the need for making non-functional prototype parts would soon perish and be replaced by physical visualization. Uziel also knew that automobile industries face problems in producing metal parts through investment casting, as this was not suitable for mass production. When Uziel came to know about the 3DP process it enlightened him as he realised all his problems can be solved. It became clear that the 3DP process was the only technology which can eliminate pattern making and can only allow for ceramic casting models directly from a CAD file. Uziel saw some gateway as metal casting was one of the industries in which no one tried to revolutionise.
Uziel went to MIT to license the 3DP process and acquired the license for the 3DP process only for metal casting as he wanted to create casting moulds with integral cores directly from the CAD file. He also
The three companies we would further discuss are the Soligen, Specific Surface Corporation (SSC) and Z Corp.
Sloigen:
Soligen Technology Inc. was founded by Yehoramo Uziel, it was incorporated in Delaware in October 1991, and commenced operations in April 1992. Soligen is a metal casting industry which produces fully functional 3-Dimensional cast metal components. Typically the lengths of time to make castings are approximately 6-12month. However with Soligen’s unique technology known as DSPC (Direct Shell Production Casting) the length of production is reduced to weeks or even days.
One of the main advantages that Soligen has was the founder Uziel had vast knowledge about metal casting before working with the 3DP process. He was the vice president of engineering at 3D system, a rapid prototyping firm. While he was at 3D systems, Uziel developed rapid prototyping machines based on streolithography for Ford Motors, General Motors and Chrysler Uziel knew that the need for making non-functional prototype parts would soon perish and be replaced by physical visualization. Uziel also knew that automobile industries face problems in producing metal parts through investment casting, as this was not suitable for mass production. When Uziel came to know about the 3DP process it enlightened him as he realised all his problems can be solved. It became clear that the 3DP process was the only technology which can eliminate pattern making and can only allow for ceramic casting models directly from a CAD file. Uziel saw some gateway as metal casting was one of the industries in which no one tried to revolutionise.
Uziel went to MIT to license the 3DP process and acquired the license for the 3DP process only for metal casting as he wanted to create casting moulds with integral cores directly from the CAD file. He also