3D Systems Founder and Inventor of Stereolithography, Charles Hull, Announces Retirement; Hull to Remain as 3D Systems Consultant and Board Member
He will continue to serve as a consultant to the company and on its board of directors.
Hull founded 3D Systems with other partners 13 years ago and quickly brought to market an unprecedented product that could transform digital data into physical solid objects, based on imaging technology he invented.
Today, 3D Systems is a global company with more than 450 employees and is recognized as the worldwide market and technology leader in solid imaging. Its systems are used by a variety of industries-- including automotive, aerospace, consumer products, consumer electronics, toys, entertainment and medical-- to rapidly produce prototype parts, tooling masters and other objects designed with computer software.
"In addition to breathing life into 3D, Chuck has guided the company from its early start-up days to today," said Arthur B. Sims, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are pleased that going forward we will continue to have the benefit of his insights, support and friendship."
Hull is a named inventor on 47 U.S. patents, plus numerous foreign patents, in the fields of ion optics and solid imaging. He is listed in the Who's Who Registry of Business Leaders.
In 1995, he received the prestigious Rank Prize, presented by The Rank Foundation at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, in recognition for his development and commercialization of stereolithography.
In 1996, he received the William T. Ennor Manufacturing Technology Award by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and was also named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and Inc. magazine.
In 1997, he received the Albert M. Sargent Progress Award by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Earlier, he had received the Jaquard Award, bestowed by the Numerical Controls Society.
Hull served as president of 3D Systems from 1986 to 1997.
Prior to founding 3D Systems, Hull served six years as vice president of engineering at UVP Inc. in San Gabriel, Calif., a systems-manufacturing company. It was at UVP that he first developed and patented the stereolithography solid imaging processes that led to the founding of 3D Systems.
Before that, he had spent 10 years as engineering manager at DuPont's Photo Products Division in Monrovia, Calif., concentrating on development and production of analytical equipment, including mass spectrometer systems. Prior to joining DuPont, he was a senior engineer at Bell & Howell.
Hull was born in Grand Junction, Colo., and received his bachelor of science degree in engineering physics from the University of Colorado. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Anntoinette. They have two children and two grandchildren.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides solid imaging products and services that allow users to move quickly from three-dimensional designs to finished parts, at a significantly lower cost and higher quality than more traditional methods.
The company's systems, through patented stereolithography and 3-D printing technologies, fabricate solid objects from digital input, substantially cutting the time and cost of product development, resulting in shorter time to manufacturing and time to market.
Based in Valencia, Calif., 3D Systems was founded in 1986 and is recognized as the world leader in solid imaging.
To obtain additional information about 3D Systems products and services, call 888/337-9786 (toll-free) and request extension 701, or visit the company Web site at www.3dsystems.com. For investor information, call the 3D Systems shareholder communications service at 800/757-1799.
Note to Editors: 3D Systems is a trademark of 3D Systems Inc.
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CONTACT: 3D Systems Inc., Valencia
Carol Cerrato, 805/295-5600, ext. 2252
cerratoc@3dsystems.com
or
Foley Freisleben LLC
Lynn Fireside or Jerry Freisleben, 818/986-5700
fireside@folfry.com or freislbn@folfry.com
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