10-09-2012: 3D Systems acquired Rapidform

Rapidform was provider of 3D scan-to-CAD and inspection software tools from South Korea

On October 9, 2012, 3D Systems announced that it had acquired Rapidform, a Seoul, South Korea-based provider of 3D scan-to-CAD and inspection software tools. The transaction was valued at $35 million in cash. Rapidform developed three platforms: XOR (eXtract to CAD) for reverse engineering, XOV (eXtract to Verification) for dimensional verification and quality control, and XOS for creating 3D models based on point clouds or triangular meshes. In 2013, after the acquisition of Geomagic by 3D Systems, all three platforms were rebranded.

Rapidform was founded in 1998 as a developer of software for processing point clouds and creating 3D models based on them. The company’s flagship product, Rapidform XOR, was designed for reverse engineering.

It was one of the first tools that enabled the direct conversion of 3D scans into complete CAD models, ready for further processing in popular CAD systems like SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or Pro/ENGINEER. It was unique in allowing the rapid creation of parametric CAD models, meaning that users could obtain not only geometry but also design features such as holes, fillets, and more.

Another product, Rapidform XOV, was software for dimensional verification and quality control. It allowed for the comparison of 3D scan data with CAD models to assess the conformity of real-world parts to the design, detecting geometric deviations. In contrast, XOS had more basic reverse engineering features, allowing users to create 3D models based on point clouds or triangular meshes (mesh), but without the full CAD feature parametrization available in XOR.

In 2012, 3D Systems acquired Rapidform, integrating its software into its rapidly growing portfolio at the time. When 3D Systems acquired the somewhat competing Geomagic in February 2013, the programs were integrated under one brand.

Rapidform XOR was renamed Geomagic Design X, Rapidform XOV became Geomagic Verify, and Rapidform XOS was renamed Geomagic XOS. In result the Rapidform brand effectively disappeared from the market.

Source: www.finance.yahoo.com