Known as the Granite State and for holding the first primary in the US presidential election cycle, New Hampshire is adding some technology prowess to its persona.

Solidscape, a manufacturer of 3D printers, signed an agreement on Wednesday with the Chinese company Kangshuo Group for the sale of Solidscape's printers and related technology and products.

Solidscape is considered a global leader in 3D printing for custom jewelry, and Beijing-based Kangshuo will build five 3D printing service centers that will use Solidscape printers for China's custom-jewelry industry. The first will open in Shenzhen in June with Beijing and Shanghai becoming operational next year.

"China has been a market that we have been actively courting for the last couple of years," Fabio Esposito, president of Solidscape told China Daily. "We will now be able to have a multi-dimensional approach providing printers and printing technology and services."

In addition to jewelry, Solidscape is a manufacturer of 3D printers that provide casting applications for medical and industrial markets.

The company produces patterns that are used to cast highly precise metal parts. Solidscape is widely recognized as a leader in casting applications that require high-precision, ultra-fine detail and a smooth surface finish.

3D printing can create physical objects directly from digital files. Traditionally, manufacturers have used technologies that cut objects from a block or sheets of material or use methods that rely on expensive molds and patterns.

"Now designers can design jewelry in 3D CAD (computer aided design) programs," according to Bill Dahl, vice-president of products and marketing.

"The output files are sent to our printers that make a 3D wax model which is them put through a casting process. Eventually the wax is replaced by gold or platinum or some other metal."

Based in Merrimack, about 15 miles south of Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city, Solidscape employs about 90, Dahl said.

"We are an America-based company and the products we export to China will be made right here in Merrimack," he said. "We expect our staff to grow to over 100 soon. Out staff has grown 40 percent

Esposito said that about 50 percent of the company's sales are outside of North America, and Solidscape products can be found in 80 countries.

In 2011, the company was acquired by Stratasys Inc (SSYS), considered a market leader in 3D printing according to Dahl. As part of Stratasys, he said Solidscape doesn't publish its sales or the number of printers manufactured annually.

"While jewelry is our primary market, we believe that education represents an exciting growth opportunity," Esposito said.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 06/02/2015 page3)