Z Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | 3D printing, 3D scanning |
| Founded | December 1994 |
| Founder | Marina Hatsopoulos, Walter Bornhorst, James Bredt, Tim Anderson |
| Fate | Acquired by 3D Systems |
| Successor | 3D Systems |
Key people | Ely Sachs (technology guidance) |
| Products | 3D printers (ZPrinters), 3D scanning technologies |
Z Corporation (also known as Z Corp.) specializes in the development of 3D printing and scanning technologies. Established in December 1994 by Marina Hatsopoulos, Walter Bornhorst, James Bredt, and Tim Anderson, the company originated from technology developed at MIT under the guidance of Professor Ely Sachs. It was acquired by Contex Holding in August 2005 and later purchased by 3D Systems on January 3, 2012.
History and background
The concept of ZPrinting emerged in 1993 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a novel approach to 3D printing. Unlike conventional rapid prototyping techniques that construct objects through thin cross-sectional layers, ZPrinters employ a print head similar to inkjet technology to apply a binding agent onto successive layers of powder. Fresh powder is spread between each layer, and any unbound material is removed once printing concludes. This method facilitates the creation of parts at an approximate build rate of one vertical inch per hour.
By 1997, Z Corp introduced the fastest 3D printer available on the market, positioning itself as a pioneer within the industry.
In January 2012, 3D Systems expanded its range of 3D printing solutions by acquiring Z Corp for $137 million USD.
Color printing
ZPrinters use adapted inkjet technology from two-dimensional printing to generate full-color three-dimensional objects. Their most sophisticated models support full CMYK color capabilities, providing up to six million color variations and enabling smooth color gradients that set them apart from other "color" 3D printing technologies. This extensive color spectrum allows for realistic material simulation in architectural models and product prototypes, enhances surface detail visualization, incorporates annotations such as surgical planning notes, or presents structural analysis outcomes like finite element analysis directly on printed surfaces.
Originally prominent in medical and architectural applications, ZPrinters have since broadened their use to produce 3D printed models derived from colored 3D scans, video game character representations (including Space Engineers, World of Warcraft, and Assassin's Creed), as well as artistic sculptures.
By 2016, 3D Systems rebranded the technology developed by Z Corp as Color Jet. Their production service platform, Quickparts.com, utilizes this printing technique.
Printer modifications
In 2018, Scott Ziv innovatively adapted a Z Corp Z402—the first commercially available binder jetting printer—to incorporate selective laser sintering technology for embedding glitter into three-dimensional prints, showcasing creative repurposing of legacy 3D printers for new material applications.