Figure 4 by 3D Systems Corporation: status and timeline

Figure 4

The Figure 4 platform uses digital light projection and a specialty membrane to enable rapid curing of photopolymer layers, achieving print speeds >50 mm/h and faster production than SLA.

DeployStage 4 of 5

Production photopolymer system using digital light and specialty membrane for fast layer cure times.

Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

No announced next step

Figure 4 platform unveiled2016Complete.
Expanded material portfolio2024Complete.

Current obstacles

Membrane degradationThe specialty membrane wears over time and must be replaced periodically, adding to maintenance costs.
Material optimization for digital lightNot all photopolymer formulations cure reliably under digital light; portfolio expanding but choices remain limited vs. SLA.

Physics limits

Build platform sizeFigure 4 machines have modest build areas (100–200 mm), limiting part size and requiring assembly for larger components.

How it works

3 parts

Digital light projection

Entire layer cured at once

Projects a complete layer image onto photopolymer, curing it in seconds instead of scanning line by line.

Specialty membrane

Permeable interface

Separates build platform from resin, allowing fresh material to flow beneath cured layers while maintaining precision.

High throughput

Rapid production batches

Layer cure times of <10 seconds allow Figure 4 to produce many parts per day, competitive with injection molding for medium-volume runs.

Spec sheet

Spec	Figure 4
Print speed	>50 mm/h^R (reported)
Curing method	Digital light projection onto specialty membrane^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

About 3D Systems Corporation

The team behind Figure 4

3D Systems Corporation

DMP direct metal printing, Figure 4, SLA photopolymer

3D Systems is a global leader in additive manufacturing, founded in 1986 by Chuck Hull (inventor of stereolithography). The Rock Hill, South Carolina-based company (NYSE: DDD) serves aerospace, defense, medical, dental, automotive, and jewelry with 3D printers, materials, and software.

Inventor of stereolithography; major supplier of DMP and polymer systems for aerospace and regulated industries.
August 2026: Won $9 million USAF contract for large-format metal printing; total GEN-II program funding is $27.4 million since 2023.
CEO transition announced August 2026; aerospace and defense is now the fastest-growing business segment.

3dsystems.com (opens 3dsystems.com)Company profile →

Founded: 198640 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Public
Listed: DDD (opens google.com)NYSE
Valuation: public
Works in: ManufacturingMetal 3D printing
Coverage: 4 programs · 4 updateslatest 27 Aug 2026checked 10 Oct
Customers: Airbus (opens airbus.com)Lucid Motors (opens lucidmotors.com)U.S. Air Force (opens af.mil)
Partners: Savannah River National Laboratory (opens srnl.doe.gov)NIAR (National Institute for Aviation Research) (opens niar.wichita.edu)
People: Dr. Jeffrey GravesPresident and CEO (announced transition August 2026)Dr. Michael ShepardVice President, Aerospace & Defense

Spec

Figure 4

Print speed

>50 mm/h^R (reported)

Curing method

Digital light projection onto specialty membrane^R (reported)