MCADCafe Editorial 
Jeff Rowe
Jeffrey Rowe has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. On the publishing side, he has written over 1,000 articles for CAD, CAM, CAE, and other technical publications, as well as consulting in many capacities in the design … More » MCADCafe Weekly (01/10/2013): Geomagic Rings in New Year In Big WaysJanuary 10th, 2013 by Jeff Rowe
3D Systems Acquiring Geomagic 3D Systems announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Geomagic, Inc., a leading global provider of 3D authoring solutions including design, sculpt and scan software tools that are used to create 3D content and inspect products throughout the entire design and manufacturing process. This acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close during the first quarter of 2013, after those conditions are met. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The combination of Geomagic’s powerful sculpting, modeling, scanning and inspecting software tools with 3D Systems’ portfolio strengthens its 3D authoring platform and positions the company for accelerated growth in the fast-growing, 3D content-to-print space. The transaction adds complementary products and technology, increases the company’s reseller coverage globally and is expected to be accretive to its non-GAAP earnings in the first full year following the completion of transaction. “Geomagic represents the perfect strategic fit for us and we will be thrilled to welcome 3D pioneer and Geomagic Founder and CEO Ping Fu as our Chief Strategy Officer once the deal has closed,” said Abe Reichental, President and CEO, 3D Systems. “Our complementary capabilities in product development, channel coverage and marketing combined with greater efficiencies are sure to result in more affordable and user friendly solutions that will delight our customers and could present attractive long term shareholder value. In line with that, we intend to expand the range of our 3D authoring solutions further into new manufacturing and consumer applications and concurrently maintain and enhance the existing Geomagic and Rapidform product lines.” “We have worked with 3D Systems for many years to accelerate adoption of 3D content-to-print solutions and believe that now is the right time to combine our efforts to further democratize access to design and 3D printing,” said Ping Fu, Founder and CEO of Geomagic. “Joining 3D Systems provides us with the scale, resources and strategic platform to realize our shared vision of delivering functional, affordable and extensible 3D authoring solutions for the benefit of professional designers and engineers, as well as the exciting maker’s movement.” Strategic and Financial Benefits
Bend Not Break – A New Book by Geomagic CEO, Ping Fu Geomagic is proud to announce that our CEO and co-founder, Ping Fu, is releasing her book today. “ Bend Not Break” (Penguin) is a story of personal resilience and of business success by someone who is almost an accidental entrepreneur. A heartbreaking history living through Mao’s cultural revolution, her family is forcibly split up, and an 8 year old Ping is raising and protecting her 4 year old sister. Exiled from China in her early twenties, with no money and little English, Ping manages to make it through with waitressing jobs and university in the U.S., a focus on computer science education and unexpected encounters with innovators and entrepreneurs. From those combined experiences, Ping created an innovative and industry leading 3D software company, Geomagic, which delivers 3D imaging and design technologies to the world. New York Post, Dec 30 2012 “Today, Ping Fu is the CEO of tech firm Geomagic, which she founded with her husband. She’s come a long way. At 8, her family in Shanghai was torn apart by the Cultural Revolution — she and her younger sister sent to a re-education camp in another city. Ping was forced to eat what she calls “bitter meals” of dirt, animal dung and tree bark. She was raped at 10, a political prisoner at 25. Finally deported to America, she arrived her with just $80 and knowing almost no English. Her success at the American Dream is a real triumph.” Booklist – Starred Review “Fu speaks to the need for humanity to practice love in business relations in order to avoid inflicting pain on future generations. This well-written tale of courage, compassion, and undaunted curiosity reveals the life of a genuine hero who remains committed to making the world a better place.” Kirkus Reviews – Starred Review “The book reflects the tone of its author: clear, honest and unassuming.” Publishers Weekly – Starred Review “Ping’s eloquent prose and remarkable attitude shine through in every word—and her compelling story will remind more than one reader to be thankful for what they have.” Ping and her book will be featured soon on Bloomberg news, BBC world News and more across the coming weeks. To order a copy please go to: http://www.bendnotbreak.com/purchase.html Commentary By Jeffrey Rowe, Editor What a month it’s been for Geomagic and its Founder and CEO, Ping Fu:
The acquisition of Geomagic by 3D Systems continues to consolidate the 3D scanning software sector by yet another player. The acquisition of Geomagic comes on the heels of a competitor. Just three months ago, 3D Systems acquired Rapidform, another global provider of 3D scan-to-CAD and inspection software tools. With the additions of Rapidform and now Geomagic, 3D Systems has secured a cornerstone of its self-proclaimed fifth growth initiative: “To create a seamless, digital scan, design and print platform for the benefit of its customers. This important growth initiative is consistent with the company’s overall drive to democratize and deliver integrated 3D content-to-print solutions. Rapidform broadens 3D Systems’ range of capabilities with complementary products and technology.” What all this means is that 3D Systems now has a greater ability to capture, process, and print 3D objects. That’s a pretty wide spectrum of capabilities, but one that is tightly tied together from both the software and hardware sides. Like seemingly all sectors of engineering software, and increasingly hardware, market consolidation marches on. How this will impact current and future customers remains to be seen. However, as I’ve said in the past, don’t expect this to be the end of 3D Systems’ acquisition strategy. With the acquisition, Ping Fu’s title and functions changes from CEO to Chief Strategy Officer, but I’m pretty confident that she’ll continue to have tremendous influence on Geomagic’s direction and purpose in the 3D Systems scheme. I’ve read excerpts of the book, Bend Not Break, and have found it to be both interesting and inspiring. Ping Fu came to the U.S from China in 1983 on a student visa with no virtually money or English language skills. She went on to earn BS and MS degrees in computer science, as well as co-found Geomagic in 1997. At the time she wanted to develop software that could take 3D scanner data, process it, and output it on 3D printers. Her ultimate goal was to do for 3D printing what Adobe did for desktop printing/publishing. Overall, it’s a fascinating story of the birth of an industry, including all of its triumphs, innovations, as well as roadblocks. Through it all, though, she has proven to be a very smart technology proponent, but also very grounded with unshakeable integrity. Although I’ve only read portions of the book, I am anxious to read it in its entirety and highly recommend it, even if you’re not necessarily a “tech-oriented” reader. Lastly, being introduced later this month, Geomagic Spark enters a competitive market, but as unique 3D software that combines a live 3D scanning interface, 3D point and mesh editing capabilities, modeling design, assembly modeling, and 2D drawing creation in one comprehensive application. While traditional CAD packages have modeling capabilities, (with few exceptions) they lack the tools to process 3D scan data into usable 3D for modeling. Geomagic Spark, however, incorporates 3D scan data functionality, integrating Geomagic’s scanning technology with direct modeling capabilities, using the SpaceClaim platform. With this combination, you can create accurate, manufacturable solid model parts and assemblies using combined scan and CAD data in the same application. Partial scan data also can be used for creating models. I’ve met with Ping Fu a few times over the years and have always found her to be intelligent, engaging, and honest. We wish her and Geomagic the best in future endeavors going forward.
Jeffrey Rowe is the editor of MCADCafé and MCAD Weekly Review. He can be reached at jeff@ibsystems.com or 719.221.1867. This WeekLead Stories3D Systems to Acquire Geomagic Bend Not Break – A New Book by Geomagic CEO, Ping Fu Product and Company NewsGeometric acquires 3Cap Technologies GmbH Vero Software Acquires Sescoi International Hexagon Acquires New River Kinematics, Leading Portable Metrology Software Provider Edgecam Files Managed in Autodesk Vault Hankook Delcam wins Award for Excellence in Sustainability Management i GET IT New Training Section Offers Users More Direct Approach, Simpler Interface for Learning FIRST ULTIMATE ASCENTSM 2013 Robotics Game Revealed CIMdata & Hiller Associates Announce New Survey on Product Cost Management Organovo Partners With Autodesk Research to Develop 3D Bioprinting Software GstarCAD MC PRO Tackled the Key Problem of Mobile CAD Apps CIMdata Announces Schedule for the 2013 PLM Certificate Program New Release of Aras Requirements Management Solution Embedded in PLM for Systems Engineering VCollab and intrinSIM announce new partnership with MSC Software CorporationDassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Adopted by Olympus Technologies Singapore to Accelerate Medical Device Time to Market VideoNews – ZWCAD+ 2012 SP1 Released With New Features and Enhanced Performance ZWCAD+ 2012 SP1 Released – Video Interview with Daniel Huang, ZWCAD+ Product Manager Bombardier Aerospace Relies on Apriso for Manufacturing Operations Management Water Pik Improves Its Flow with SofTech’s ProductCenter PLM Eurocopter Expands Use of PTC Technology Solutions to Accelerate Service Strategy New Meshing Algorithm, Faster I/O in Latest Release of Pointwise Meshing Software Delcam Reports Record Orders in December FoFdation project partners, Artis and Delcam, start machining trials OPEN MIND pleased with EuroMold 2012 – Milling strategies in application Hexagon Metrology Enhances PC-DMIS Inspection Software Pointwise Opens Meshy Award Contest for Best Mesh ZWCAD Touch: Fast Edit, Remark DWG Files with Easy Cloud Sync Cimatron Declares Cash Distribution to Shareholders Richard Childress Racing Puts CNC Machining On Fast Track With NC Simulation SYSPRO ERP Selected by Renowned Manufacturer/Distributor of Promotional Products IMAGINiT Technologies Earns Autodesk MEP Systems Engineering Specialization SofTech Announces Q2 Fiscal Year 2013 Operating Results 3D-PDF reading and writing with Kisters 3DViewStation V11.4 Turkish engineers evaluate WorkNC CAD/CAM for automotive applications (SESCOI) Adopting VISI and Edgecam is “Massive” As College Moves Into New Era Related MCAD NewsADCOLE Diesel Cam Tester Handles Parts up to 105″ Long 3Shape releases its new Dental System 2013 Montebello Packaging Speeds Production With Infor Corporate Moves, Views, and NewsBend Not Break – A New Book by Geomagic CEO, Ping Fu Stratasys Founder and Chairman Inducted into Industryweek’s Manufacturing Hall Of Fame Roland DGA Announces Major Changes to its Executive Management Team Multi-Year Collaboration Agreement between Astrium and ESI Group WorkNC CAD/CAM vendor, Sescoi, expands its Indian office Novedge Expands its Partnership with MecSoft Corporation Industry EventsA New Era Begins – MSC Software 2013 Users Conference Supersonic Car Steering Wheel Design Challenge Delcam to show 2013 releases of CAM products at Houstex 2013 Hundreds of Manufacturing Leaders to Gather for Third Edition of The MFG Meeting (AMT) Geometric to launch CAMWorks 2013 at SolidWorks World 2013 FIRST ULTIMATE ASCENTSM 2013 Robotics Game Revealed NASA Kicks Off 2013 FIRST Robotics Season With Live Broadcast The Chrysler Foundation Powers Up 2013 FIRST Robotics Season Automotive Leaders to be Honored at MAIN Event Co-Sponsored by Dassault Systèmes Mcor to introduce 3D printer with industry’s most powerful color capability at SolidWorks World 2013 OPEN MIND exhibits at SolidWorks World 2013 – CAM fully integrated with the CAD environment Aras Announces Live Webcast on Next Generation Requirements Management for Systems Engineering OPEN MIND exhibits at SolidWorks World 2013 – To show CAM fully integrated with CAD environment Delcam for SolidWorks World 2013 – Fully Integrated CAM for SolidWorks SECO to sponsor Delcam’s international student CAM competition Stratasys to Present at the Annual Needham & Company Growth Stock Conference Corporate NewslettersGoEngineer SolidWorks Newsletter – December 2012 |
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