3D Systems announced that its Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Chuck Hull, has been honored with the General Pierre Nicolau Award from the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP). Hull accepted the award in person from Professor Laszlo Monostori, CIRP President, during the 64th General Assembly of CIRP in Nantes, France on August 25, 2014.
Headquartered in Paris, France, CIRP is the world leading organization in production engineering research and is at the forefront of design, optimization, control and management of processes, machines and systems. The Academy has restricted membership based on demonstrated excellence in research and has some 600 academic and industrial members from 50 industrialized countries.
The General Pierre Nicolau Award, named after CIRP’s founder, is given annually “in recognition of significant and distinguished scientific and industrial contributions to a specific area within the field of production engineering encompassed by the interests of CIRP.” Hull received the award in recognition of his groundbreaking invention of the original 3D printing technology, Stereolithography (SLA®). Hull also co-created the STL file format, which continues to be the gold standard in ultra high-definition 3D printing connectivity with all CAD formats. Today, SLA technology is used to print everything from personalized, in-ear hearing aids and professional music devices to automotive parts for design-to-manufacturing. In 1983, Hull 3D printed a small cup, the first-ever object created with additive technology. The success of Hull’s process served as a catalyst to his founding of 3D Systems in 1986.
“It is a tremendous honor to be chosen for this prestigious award by an institution of CIRP’s caliber and reputation,” said Chuck Hull, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at 3DS. “As 3D printing technology becomes standard equipment on the factory floor and engineer’s workbench, I am excited to see the innovative ways in which my distinguished peers at CIRP and around the world can apply this technology.”
Hull’s award comes just months after being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame on May 21 for his invention and advancement of 3D printing, and being honored as the winner of the 2014 European Inventor Award in the non-European category on June 17.
