Cimatron
Cimatron is a CAD/CAM software brand serving toolmaking, moldmaking, discrete-part manufacturing and CNC programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Cimatron is a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing software brand whose products support the digital preparation and production of molds, dies, tools and discrete manufactured parts. Its software connects engineering and manufacturing activities including quoting, product and tool design, electrode design, machining-process planning, numerical-control programming and production preparation. The brand is particularly associated with small and medium-sized tool shops, moldmakers and manufacturers that need an integrated workflow rather than separate design and machining applications. The business began in 1982 in Sweden under the name MicroCAD. Its first products, Multicadd and Multicam, were released in 1984 for small and medium-sized tool shops. The company adopted the Cimatron name in 1987 and expanded from early CAD and CAM tools into integrated manufacturing software. In 1990 it introduced Cimatron IT, which it described as an early integrated CAD/CAM system. A Windows-oriented generation, CimatronE, followed in 1999 and became the principal product family for mold, die, tool and discrete-part production. Cimatron expanded both organically and through acquisitions. It took an initial stake in Italian distributor Microsystem in 2005 and completed the purchase in 2008. In January 2008 it merged with United States CNC software company Gibbs and Associates. The transaction added GibbsCAM to the wider portfolio and strengthened Cimatron's presence in CNC machining software. Cimatron subsequently operated internationally through subsidiaries in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as a reseller network spanning more than 40 countries. Its CimatronE and GibbsCAM installations have been described as serving more than 50,000 sites worldwide, with customers in automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, toys, medical, optics and telecommunications. Cimatron became a Nasdaq-listed company in 1996 under the symbol CIMT and later became dual-listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2011. It was delisted from the Tel Aviv exchange after a board decision in 2013. The company reported strong growth during the late 2000s and early 2010s, including record quarterly results in the fourth quarter of 2010 and record non-GAAP operating profit for 2012. It also explored additive manufacturing in 2013, establishing an advisory board that included 3D-printing consultant Terry Wohlers. 3D Systems completed the acquisition of Cimatron in 2015. In 2020, Battery Ventures agreed to acquire the combined Cimatron and GibbsCAM software businesses from 3D Systems. Those businesses joined Battery-backed SigmaTEK Systems in a new holding company named CAMBRIO. Sandvik acquired CAMBRIO in October 2021, bringing Cimatron and GibbsCAM into Sandvik's broader manufacturing-software portfolio. Cimatron therefore remains an active software brand, although its ownership and corporate setting have changed substantially since its independent public-company period. Recent product development has included cloud-based estimating through Cimatron DieQuote and artificial-intelligence-assisted machining-feature detection through the CAD-AI module for CimatronE. These additions extend the brand beyond traditional geometry creation and NC programming toward faster estimating, process automation and more connected manufacturing workflows.
History
Cimatron was established in Sweden in 1982 as MicroCAD. The company initially focused on software for small and medium-sized tool shops, releasing Multicadd and Multicam in 1984. It changed its name to Cimatron in 1987, reflecting a broader ambition in computer-aided design and manufacturing. In 1990, Cimatron introduced Cimatron IT, an integrated CAD/CAM product intended to connect design and manufacturing tasks in a single environment. The company entered a major international expansion phase during the 1990s and 2000s. It began trading on Nasdaq in March 1996 under the symbol CIMT and launched CimatronE for Windows in 1999. CimatronE developed into a core system for mold, die and tool design, as well as for numerical-control programming and discrete-part production. The platform was designed around associativity between design and manufacturing data, allowing changes made during engineering to flow through related production work. Cimatron also built its international network through acquisitions. In 2005 it acquired an initial 27.5 percent interest in Microsystem Srl, an Italian distributor, and completed the purchase of the remaining interest in 2008. In January 2008, Cimatron merged with Gibbs and Associates, a United States provider of CNC machining software. William Gibbs became Cimatron's North American president and vice chairman. The transaction added GibbsCAM and broadened the company's reach among manufacturers using CNC machining workflows. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Cimatron was identified by industry analysts as a significant CAM supplier. It reported record quarterly revenue and operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2010, and 2012 revenue and non-GAAP operating profit were also reported at record levels. The company became dual-listed when it began trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2011, but its board voted in 2013 to delist from that market. Cimatron also began examining additive manufacturing in 2013 and established a 3D-printing advisory board, with Terry Wohlers named as its first member. 3D Systems acquired Cimatron in 2015. The transaction moved Cimatron from independent public-company ownership into a larger provider of additive-manufacturing and production technology. In November 2020, Battery Ventures agreed to buy the Cimatron and GibbsCAM software businesses from 3D Systems. They were combined with SigmaTEK Systems in a new holding company called CAMBRIO. Sandvik subsequently acquired CAMBRIO on October 18, 2021. The acquisition placed Cimatron within Sandvik's industrial software portfolio. Cimatron's current product direction includes continued development of CimatronE and related manufacturing applications. The brand has added CAD-AI, which uses artificial intelligence to support machining-feature detection, and DieQuote, a cloud-based system for stamping-die cost estimation. Its software is used across industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical products, consumer electronics, toys, optics and telecommunications. The business has maintained an international operating model involving subsidiaries and resellers, while its products are positioned around practical production workflows rather than general-purpose consumer design.
- 2025
CAD-AI and DieQuote introduced
[2]Cimatron adds AI-assisted machining-feature detection to CimatronE and launches a cloud-based stamping-die estimating product.
- 2021
Sandvik acquires CAMBRIO
[1]Sandvik acquires CAMBRIO, including the Cimatron and GibbsCAM software businesses.
- 2020
Cimatron joins CAMBRIO
[1]Battery Ventures agrees to acquire the Cimatron and GibbsCAM businesses and combine them with SigmaTEK Systems in CAMBRIO.
- 2015
Acquisition by 3D Systems
[1]3D Systems completes the acquisition of Cimatron.
- 2013
Additive-manufacturing initiative
[1]Cimatron announces additive-manufacturing research and forms a related advisory board.
- 2011
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange listing
[1]Cimatron becomes dual-listed through a listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
- 2008
Gibbs and Associates merger
[1]Cimatron merges with Gibbs and Associates, adding GibbsCAM to its portfolio.
- 1999
CimatronE launches for Windows
[1]The company introduces its Windows-based CimatronE product generation.
- 1996
Nasdaq listing
[1]Cimatron begins trading on Nasdaq under the symbol CIMT.
- 1990
Cimatron IT launches
[1]Cimatron introduces an integrated CAD/CAM system for connected design and manufacturing workflows.
Products and positioning
Integrated, manufacturing-focused CAD/CAM software for moldmakers, toolmakers, die manufacturers and discrete-part producers, with emphasis on connecting design, quoting and CNC production.
Integrated CAD/CAM platform · 1999
CimatronE
CimatronE is the brand's principal integrated CAD/CAM environment for moldmakers, toolmakers, die manufacturers and discrete-part producers. It supports quoting, product and tool design, mold design, electrode design, die design, machining preparation and CNC programming. Its manufacturing capabilities cover approximately 2.5-axis through 5-axis numerical-control work and 5-axis discrete-part production. The system is positioned around associativity between engineering and manufacturing data, helping users maintain consistency when designs or production requirements change.
CNC machining CAM software
GibbsCAM
GibbsCAM is a CNC programming and machining software business that became part of the Cimatron portfolio through the 2008 merger with Gibbs and Associates. It broadened Cimatron's reach in production machining and complemented CimatronE's strong position in mold, die and tool workflows. Following the 2020 transaction with Battery Ventures, GibbsCAM was managed alongside Cimatron in CAMBRIO and later became part of Sandvik's manufacturing-software portfolio.
Artificial-intelligence CAD/CAM module · 2025
Cimatron CAD-AI
CAD-AI is an AI-oriented module for CimatronE designed to assist with machining-feature detection. Its role is to help identify manufacturing-relevant features in CAD data, potentially reducing manual preparation work before machining and NC programming.
Cloud-based estimating software · 2025
Cimatron DieQuote
Cimatron DieQuote is a cloud-based application for producing stamping-die cost estimates. It uses configurable design parameters and algorithmic calculations to account for multiple factors involved in developing and manufacturing stamping dies. The product is intended to help tool-and-die companies prepare estimates more quickly and consistently.
Brand decisions
2025
Launch of CAD-AI and DieQuoteProduct launchBackground
Manufacturers increasingly seek automation in CAD preparation and faster, more consistent quoting for complex tooling.
Action taken
Cimatron introduced CAD-AI for machining-feature detection and released DieQuote as a cloud-based stamping-die estimating application.
Aftermath
The launches expanded Cimatron's offering into AI-assisted engineering and cloud-based commercial preparation for tool-and-die manufacturers.
2021
Acquisition of CAMBRIO by SandvikM&ABackground
CAMBRIO operated a portfolio of CAD/CAM software serving manufacturing sectors including automotive, transportation, energy, medical and aerospace.
Action taken
Sandvik acquired CAMBRIO, including the Cimatron and GibbsCAM businesses.
Aftermath
Cimatron became part of Sandvik's broader industrial manufacturing and machining-software activities.
2020
Transfer of Cimatron and GibbsCAM to CAMBRIOM&ABackground
3D Systems agreed to divest the Cimatron and GibbsCAM software businesses as part of a change in portfolio ownership.
Action taken
Battery Ventures agreed to acquire the combined businesses and place them with SigmaTEK Systems in a new holding company named CAMBRIO.
Aftermath
Cimatron and GibbsCAM continued as related CAD/CAM brands under CAMBRIO before the group was acquired by Sandvik.
2015
Sale to 3D SystemsM&ABackground
Cimatron was an established CAD/CAM provider with international distribution and a complementary relationship to 3D Systems' manufacturing and additive-manufacturing activities.
Action taken
3D Systems completed the acquisition of all Cimatron shares.
Aftermath
Cimatron ceased operating as an independent publicly listed company and became part of 3D Systems.
Reported acquisition value. Approximately US$97 million (2015 acquisition)
2013
Explore additive manufacturingStrategyBackground
Additive manufacturing was emerging as a strategic area adjacent to Cimatron's established CAD/CAM business.
Action taken
Cimatron began researching additive manufacturing and established a 3D Printing Advisory Board.
Aftermath
Terry Wohlers was named the board's first member, giving the initiative outside specialist guidance.
2008
Merge with Gibbs and AssociatesM&ABackground
Cimatron sought to expand its CNC machining software capabilities and strengthen its presence in North America.
Action taken
The company merged with Gibbs and Associates, bringing GibbsCAM into the combined software portfolio.
Aftermath
William Gibbs became Cimatron's President of North America and Vice Chairman, while the combined business served both integrated toolmaking workflows and production machining.
Recent events
- 2025
Cimatron introduces CAD-AI[2]
Product launch
Cimatron introduced CAD-AI for CimatronE, an AI-based module intended to assist with machining-feature detection.
- 2025
Cimatron releases DieQuote[3]
Product launch
Cimatron released DieQuote, a cloud-based application for preparing stamping-die cost estimates.
- 2021
Sandvik acquires CAMBRIO[1]
M&A
Sandvik acquired CAMBRIO, bringing Cimatron and GibbsCAM into its manufacturing-software activities.
- 2020
Battery Ventures agrees to acquire Cimatron and GibbsCAM businesses[1]
M&A
Battery Ventures agreed to acquire the Cimatron and GibbsCAM software businesses from 3D Systems and combine them with SigmaTEK Systems in CAMBRIO.
- 2015
3D Systems completes acquisition of Cimatron[1]
M&A
3D Systems completed its purchase of all Cimatron shares, ending Cimatron's period as an independent public company.
- 2013
Cimatron board votes to delist from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange[1]
Other
The company's board approved a plan to leave the Tel Aviv exchange, ending its dual-listed status.
- 2013
Cimatron begins additive-manufacturing research[1]
Other
Cimatron announced research activity in additive manufacturing and created an advisory board for the field.
- 2011
Cimatron becomes dual-listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange[1]
Other
Cimatron began trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange while remaining listed on Nasdaq.
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