The 3D printing on which the DSPC system is based was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The DSPC system is licensed to Soligen Inc. USA for use in metal casting.

A CAD file is used to define the required cavity, the software examines and modifies the component by adding fillet and removing features such as small holes that are to be machined on the finished casting/prototype. Another feature of the software is to enable the quantity of castings/cavities to be programmed and a shell of the necessary multi-cavity mould is produced.

A layer of alumina powder is laid down on the table of the machine, followed by a print jet which projects a fine stream of colloidal silica (bond) to form the profile at that layer. The colloidal silica bonds the alumina powder at that layer and affords adhesion for the following slice. As each layer is completed the table descends allowing for a further layer of powder to be deposited and bonded. The surplus powder falls around the build shell offering support. On completion, the shell is removed from the bin and that powder filling the cavity of the shell is removed. As with the conventional "Lost wax process" the shell mould must be fired prior to casting.

The process has recently been commercialised to offer investment casting companies the opportunity of manufacturing shell moulds without the cost of producing wax patterns and the expensive dies that they require.