3D Systems' presentation on rapid product development

3D Systems' presentation on rapid product development

Keywords Product development, Spreadsheets

3D Systems, the originator of stereolithography as a commercial technique has developed an Excel programme which demonstrates in graphic detail the alarming effects of significant delays in bringing new products to market.

Using a straightforward spreadsheet approach, the company is able to input data about profit margins,sales volumes, timings and so on, then extrapolate the data to illustrate the bottom-line bonuses which await companies which get their new products to market on time ­ and the corresponding damage which is sustained by those who do not.

Most manufacturers are painfully aware that nothing sets director against director quite as much as the failure of new products or important product developments to materialise as planned. Forecasts are wrecked, budgets blown and corporate morale suffers. As the 3D Systems presentation shows, it is not simply the missed opportunity of sales time which results, bad enough though that is. Premium pricing opportunities, exploitation of the product life cycle and competitive strategies are all at risk.

3D Systems has, itself,adopted a product development policy based on these arguments, to the point where it now claims solo status position in the field it has termed "rapid product development", or, more colloquially, a complete "art to part" service including modelling, prototyping and fast parts.

3D Systems is happy to make its case by offering interested parties a copy of the spreadsheet on disc.

The programme can be obtained, free of charge, by contacting the company at its Hemel Hempstead offices on +44 (0) 1442 28 26 00 by telephone, or +44 (0) 1442 28 26 01 by fax.