The company is expanding its offerings with three new materials and a partnership with AMFG.
Industrial 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys introduced several new products and solutions at this year’s RAPID + TCT show in mid-September. The announcements involved new printing technologies aimed at the acceleration of additive manufacturing at scale. This includes new 3D printing materials for the Stratasys H350 and Stratasys Origin One systems, as well as a new Origin Open Material License (OML) for Origin One. The company also revealed that additive manufacturing automation software developer AMFG will be joining the GrabCAD Software Partner Program, adding the company to Stratasys’ network of end-to-end additive solution providers. These developments are among the efforts by Stratasys to expand its ecosystem of materials, providing customers with a diverse range of options across 3D printing technologies and solutions.
The H350 printer utilizes Stratasys’ recently launched selective absorption fusion (SAF) 3D printing technology. While the system was initially designed for production-level throughput and end-use polymer parts, it will be able to use High Yield PA11. This 100 percent bio-based nylon material is made of castor oil. The company is also planning to launch PA12 sometime in 2022. PA12 is a nylon 12 powder that will offer enhanced dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and impact strength. Stratasys expects this new material to be used in various additive manufacturing applications, including jigs, fixtures, tooling, and functional end-use parts.
In addition, the Stratasys Origin One 3D printer system is receiving two new materials. Dura56 was developed in collaboration with industrial adhesive solutions developer LOCTITE, a brand under industrial solutions provider Henkel. This new material will offer improved durability and impact resistance, resulting in high-quality surface finishes and lower cost per part. Dura56 is ideal for applications requiring high material usage and parts for which aesthetics and robustness are important. It already has use cases in class A surfaces, housings, and parts with mating features.
Meanwhile, 3D IND405 Clear is a one-part semirigid 3D-printable clear photopolymer resin that delivers smooth part surfaces, high impact resistance, and high elongation at break. While the material is clear, it is capable of being machined, tapped and polished for other applications such as microfluidic devices and guide overlays. According to Stratasys, the mechanical properties of IND405 are similar to those of unfilled polypropylene.
The company has also launched the Origin Open Material License (OML) for the Stratasys Origin One 3D printer system. It will include a software toolkit that will enable advanced print users and material companies to develop, beta test and experiment with custom workflows and new materials using the Origin One printer. Users will be able to modify parameters such as light, temperatures, force, velocity and pressure, gaining extensive control during the build process. The Origin OML is slated to ship this year.
The Origin One printer was first launched following Stratasys’ acquisition of DLP machine manufacturer Origin back in late 2020.
Aside from AMFG, the GrabCAD Software Partner Program has already welcomed eight new software partners this year alone. The addition of manufacturing execution system (MES) and 3D printing automation software specialist AMFG will enable Stratasys customers to streamline workflow processes, enable connectivity across production, and increase visibility. AMFG’s technology also provides fully automated order management, routing and production scheduling tools, allowing for fully automated end-part production at scale.
“The ability to pull data from AM systems into a centralized software solution is not just a nice to have,” shared Danny Winn, vice president of Growth and Innovation for AMFG. “It’s critical for the future of scalable end-part manufacturing, especially in heavily regulated industries such as aerospace and medical.”
For more information, visit the Stratasys website.
