Case Study: Geobra Brandstätter achieves accelerated design and prototyping with 3D Systems' Geomagic Freeform Plus

Toy Maker Takes Design and Product Development to New Levels with Geomagic Freeform

Geobra Brandstätter, the German maker of Playmobil toys, faced the challenge of modernizing a largely hand-crafted design process to accelerate product development, handle complex organic shapes, and produce timely prototypes that meet playability and molding requirements. The company needed faster iteration and better integration between sculptors, designers and CAD/model-making teams while scaling up output (the design department generates dozens of new pieces each year from new concepts and a large archive).

They integrated Geomagic Freeform Plus across the design group—adding systems annually to reach four—so sculptors and designers can model interactively, create multiple versions in minutes, and 3D‑print prototypes for play and fit checks. Models are exported as IGES into Pro/ENGINEER for tooling and snap-fit work; model makers adjust parts for molding. The result is faster, more precise development with fewer digitization errors, streamlined handcraft-to-digital workflow, and a successful, scalable transformation of their product-development process.

Geobra Brandstätter

Uwe Reuter

Industrial Designer