Modeling Material builds better prototypes.
Press Release Summary:
High-resolution modeling material allows all users of FDM® (fused deposition modeling) to dramatically improve quality of prototypes. It is most helpful for building thin-walled models, those with fine features, or small models, for which details are more important. Insight(TM) v3.3 software upgrade gives users more build-control via added editing tools, and allows improvement of model surface finish with seam-control enhancements.
Original Press Release:
Build Better Prototypes with High-Resolution Material from Stratasys
MINNEAPOLIS, June 6- (NASDAQ: SSYS) Rapid prototyping system maker, Stratasys, today announced the availability of a high-resolution modeling material. This material allows all users of FDM® (fused deposition modeling) to dramatically improve the quality of prototypes.
The material improvement will affect 27 percent of all rapid prototyping systems installed globally because this is the percentage of FDM-based installations worldwide. The material offers improvement to FDM systems of any age.
The high-resolution material is most helpful for building thin-walled models, those with fine features, or small models, for which details are more important. The material replaces older formulas, which are no longer available.
"The FDM process is dependent on the fine control of the modeling material - a plastic filament - which is fed into a liquefier and then deposited to form a prototype," says materials-development director Bill Priedeman. "And the prototype's quality is affected by the filament's tolerance. The high-resolution material was made possible by new controls we've placed in the material-manufacturing process. These controls allow a tighter tolerance in material diameter." The new modeling material began shipping in early 2002.
Stratasys Insight(TM) software version 3.3 is also now shipping as an automatic upgrade to all users with service agreements. With the upgrade, users can better optimize the modeling envelope by fitting in more parts. They also have more build-control via added editing tools, and they can improve model surface finish with new seam-control enhancements. (The software upgrade is a requirement for FDM Maxum and FDM Quantum(TM) users who plan to model using the 5-mil slice upgrade.)
Machines affected by the enhancements to material and software include all models with the letters FDM (i.e: FDM 1650, 2000, 3000, 8000, Quantum, Maxum, and Titan.).
Stratasys, Inc., Minneapolis, is the second largest manufacturer of rapid prototyping systems. The company's patented fused deposition modeling (FDM®) process creates solid models directly from 3D CAD files using polycarbonate, ABS plastic, wax, or other
materials. Stratasys provides rapid prototyping systems for OEMs such as aerospace, automotive, military, consumer, and medical product makers. According to Wohlers Report 2000 on the state of the rapid prototyping industry, Stratasys has installed more
rapid prototyping systems over the last 5 years than any other manufacturer.
Toni Brown, info@stratasys.com, ph: 952.937.3000, toll-free: 1.888.480.3548, www.stratasys.com.
FDM, FDM Quantum, and Stratasys are registered trademarks and Insight, FDM Maxum, and FDM Titan are trademarks of Stratasys, Inc.
