3d Systems Inc

3D Systems Corp. said Monday that it has completed its $3.25-million acquisition of a rapid prototyping product line from EOS GmbH of Germany, its major competitor in Europe. 3D, which is a Valencia-based supplier of solid-imaging systems, will also grant EOS exclusive licenses to its laser patents.

3D Systems Corp. has agreed to acquire the rapid prototyping "Stereos" product line and business from EOS GmbH of Germany, 3D's major European competitor, the Valencia-based company said. Additionally, under the terms of the agreement 3D would settle all patent infringement and unfair competition lawsuits brought in 1993 and 1994 against EOS and an EOS customer, as well as all patent office proceedings between the two companies. 3D will pay $3.

3-D Systems Inc. said its biggest stockholder, Ciba-Geigy Ltd., has agreed to lend up to $2.5 million to help finance the company's operations over the next year. 3-D Systems is a Canadian company whose main unit is 3D Systems, a Valencia maker of machines that combine a computer, laser and chemicals to rapidly make plastic-like prototype models for manufacturers. The company has been struggling recently. 3-D Systems lost $2.

3-D Systems Inc., a Canadian company whose sole operating unit is 3D Systems in Valencia, said its third-quarter profit plummeted 96% from a year earlier, and it warned of more problems ahead. 3D Systems makes a machine that uses a computer, laser and chemicals to rapidly make plastic-like models that manufacturers use as prototypes for new products. In the quarter that ended Sept. 30, its parent company reported earnings of $14,722, down from $358,108 a year earlier.

Ciba-Geigy, a major Swiss corporation, said it plans to sell its 37% stake in 3D Systems Inc. in Valencia as part of a restructuring program. Ciba-Geigy bought its interest in 3D Systems in July, 1988, for $30 million. 3D Systems makes a machine that uses lasers, chemicals and a computer to rapidly produce models of parts, consumer packages and other products for manufacturers.

3-D Systems Inc., the Canadian parent of 3D Systems Inc. of Valencia, said it concluded a private placement of 700,000 shares of its common stock for $7.875 per share, resulting in gross proceeds to the company of $5.5 million. The new shares increase the total number of outstanding shares to 13.9 million. 3D Systems manufactures machines that create plastic models using a high-speed process.