MORRISVILLE, N.C.–(BUSINESS
WIRE)–Geomagic®, the leading provider of 3D software for capturing,
creating and inspecting digital models of physical objects, today completed an
acquisition of Sensable Technology Inc.’s 3D design and haptics businesses.
Sensable, of Wilmington, Mass., is a leading developer of volumetric
CAD/CAM solutions, and the inventor of Phantom force-feedback haptic devices
that simulate the physical sensation of touch in the virtual world.
This acquisition expands Geomagic’s vision to advance and
apply 3D technology for the benefit of humanity. “Geomagic specializes in
capturing digital data from the real world and real people. Now we can add the
sensation of touch as well; Sight and feel are two major human sensibilities
that enhance the design experience,” said Ping Fu, CEO of Geomagic. “For
Geomagic customers, Sensable solutions are a natural extension for modeling and
enhancing the scan data from Geomagic; for Sensable customers, starting with a
scanned model rather than blank screen makes it far easier and faster to start
a design, requires less time to sculpt the 3D model, and the finished designs
can be exchanged into CAD surfaces using the Geomagic family of software. The
synergies will be a tremendous value to existing and new customers.”
“Geomagic is the best home for Sensable technologies and
employees. Innovative companies need scale to grow, I am happy that the
combined company under the Geomagic umbrella will have that scale,” says Marcus
Lovell Smith, the former CEO of the company.
Sensable has a range of voxel-based 3D design software
including the FreeForm® and ClayTools® solutions. The combination of
voxel-based software and haptic input creates an intuitive, tactile and precise
user experience for sculpting “virtual clay.” Some of the Sensable 3D design
solutions also include powerful tools for preparing digital models for
manufacturing (particularly for mold and casting production methods) including
draft analysis and complex parting line creation.
Geomagic software creates digital models from physical parts
to be used in design and engineering workflows, archiving and the visual arts.
Inspection tools from Geomagic lead the market in accurate, automated
measurement and quality control of manufactured parts. The products from the
combined companies encompass much broader design-to-manufacture workflows with
added freedom to allow product designers, engineers and innovators to design in
very natural and intuitive ways.
The customer-base of the combined company includes almost
every major worldwide manufacturer resulting in a strong installed base of
users, many of whom already use both Geomagic and Sensable solutions. Medical
research customers and OEMs are also a significant segment of the Sensable
haptics customer base.
Geomagic will continue to support Phantom haptic input
devices, further develop Freeform design and manufacturing solutions, and the
developer’s API for haptics research. Geomagic will retain Sensable’s
operations and employees in the Boston
area giving the company a strategic Northeast location where we plan to hire
additional employees. “Customers and partners of Sensable can continue to
expect the same high quality service, support and product development they have
always received, which will now be infused with the innovation and investment
in R&D for which Geomagic is renowned,” says Tom Kurke, President and COO
of Geomagic.
In addition to the product portfolio, Geomagic is also
acquiring the majority of Sensable’s considerable patent portfolio, which
extends across haptic device designs and applications and voxel-based modeling.
Sensable’s dental products are not included in this acquisition.
To see more about this acquisition, please visit Geomagic’s web site.
About Geomagic
Geomagic (www.geomagic.com) is a leading provider of 3D software for
creating digital models of physical objects. Professionals involved in the
design, reverse engineering and inspection of parts and products use Geomagic Studio®, Geomagic Qualify™, Geomagic Wrap® and Geomagic Qualify Probe™ to shorten time to market and
improve quality. Geomagic software is also used in the dental and medical
markets to create customized restorations, appliances, prosthetics and
treatment plans that help improve patient care. Some of the leading companies
around the globe using Geomagic software include Ford, Harley Davidson, Richard Childress Racing, Timberland, Fisher Price, Pratt & Whitney, NASA, Alcoa Howmet, Danaher and Invisalign. Geomagic is based in Morrisville,
NC, USA,
with subsidiaries in Europe and Asia and
partners worldwide.
