Stratasys Installs its 6,000th Rapid Prototyping System
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept 6 - (NASDAQ: SSYS) Stratasys announced that Dell Inc. purchased Stratasys' 6,000th rapid prototyping system. Dell became the landmark customer for Stratasys when it installed an FDM Vantage(TM) SE in May at its Product Group in Austin, Texas. Stratasys has installed more rapid prototyping systems than any other manufacturer, worldwide.
Dell decided to purchase the FDM Vantage after using a previous model FDM system for many years, says the development group's senior engineering manager, Andrew Moore, "We didn't need to be convinced of its accuracy. We proved it to ourselves previously. We've been satisfied with the original FDM system, so purchasing a second one was an easy decision."
It was important to Dell that the RP system creates functional, durable models using a variety of high-performance engineering materials like ABS, polycarbonate and PC-ABS, according to Moore. "The expanded suite of available materials was one of the major reasons for purchase," he says. "We also liked the machine's large build envelope, which allows us to build almost any size plastic part within our designs in a single build."
Dell's purchase is intended to help the computer firm develop early and speculative prototypes of parts and subsystems for notebook computers, desktop computers and enterprise systems. "Using FDM, our teams are able to drive rapid iteration and build consensus on design direction," Moore says.
"We have measured essentially 100 percent material properties parallel to the build and greater than 80 percent properties perpendicular to the build. We take advantage of this in functional parts - particularly where deflection properties are important - like on snap fits. Because we can make functional models, we're able to understand design capability and see where improvement is necessary early in the design cycle. We are also able to save significant money on parts that would have been machined or rapid prototyped by third-parties. This machine will pay for itself well-within the first year."
Stratasys Inc., Minneapolis, makes rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems and 3D printers, and it offers prototyping and manufacturing services. Stratasys equipment is used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, and consumer products. In 2005, the company installed 34 percent of all systems sold worldwide, making it the unit market leader for the fourth consecutive year, according to Wohlers Report 2006. Stratasys patented the rapid prototyping process known as fused deposition modeling (FDM®). The process creates functional models or production parts directly from any 3D CAD program using ABS plastic, polycarbonate, PPSF and blends. The company holds 175 granted or pending global prototyping patents. In addition to manufacturing products, Stratasys is the exclusive North American distributor of PolyJet rapid prototyping systems and Arcam rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems. On the Web: www.Stratasys.com
Investor Contact:
Shane Glenn
(952) 294 - 3416
sglenn@stratasys.com
Editorial Contact:
Joe Hiemenz
(952) 906 - 2726
jhiemenz@stratasys.com
