Stratasys introduced new tools to help CAD users get to market faster at SOLIDWORKS World 2017 today. These tools are three professional, versatile and fast FDM-based 3D printers—the F123 Series (F170, F270 and F370). Stratasys developed these printers to address user needs for ease of use, greater accessibility and printers that offer more material choices. This series of printers focuses on the professional rapid prototyping needs of design workgroups.
The F123 Series empowers any user, regardless of 3D printing experience, to build durable and accurate prototypes using a range of functional FDM 3D Printing materials—PLA, ABS, ASA, and PC-ABS—which are available in 10 colors.
With one of these printers, a user can verify the initial design concept, validate the design, and print a final functional version of the design. Thus, product designs can be thoroughly evaluated and endorsed before they go to manufacturing.
Design workgroups play a dominant role in product design and development in consumer products, aerospace, automotive and other key industries. According to recent Stratasys surveys, accessibility, ease of use and material choice are among the top priorities in the wider adoption of 3D printing for rapid prototyping in workgroups. The F123 Series addresses these and other rapid prototyping requirements to potentially accelerate the adoption of 3D printing for product design and development.
“The key for us to fast-track product development is getting physical samples in front of our customers as soon as possible, says Jesse Hahne, Partner, Center for Advanced Design. “The Stratasys F370 matches the CAD input every time with accurate, high quality prototypes. It’s pretty powerful having this much capability in a single system that sits right in our workspace. We’ve tried lower-end 3D printers in the past, and to be honest, they’re dimensionally inaccurate. With our new Stratasys F370, we’re able to get brand new iterations in a matter of hours. This rapid prototyping solution has truly become a member of our team.”
The exterior design for the Stratasys F123 Series was created together with leading industrial design firm Designworks, a BMW Group Company. Most operations are handled through the touch screen user interface. The printer can be operated remotely from any networked computer in a shared workgroup setting. Build progress can be monitored from portable devices. Installing and replacing material is fast and easy.
In addition, the build plate is flexible, make it easy to remove parts from the plate.
“Our inspiration for the design of the Stratasys F123 Series was advanced robotics. Just as robotic tools of the future will adapt to their envisioned usage environment, we worked with Stratasys to create a look, feel and ergonomic design for the F123 Series that would offer expertly crafted user interactions,” said Andre de Salis, Creative Director, Designworks.
“Today there is a vast market opportunity in product prototyping that we feel is not being addressed by current 3D printing systems. The launch of the Stratasys F123 Series targets these product design workgroups, industrial designers, engineers, students and educators who demand a professional quality rapid prototyping system that’s simple to use, produces reliable, engineering-quality results, integrates perfectly within an office or lab setting, and is affordable to own and operate,” said Zehavit Reisin, Vice President, Head of Rapid Prototyping Solutions, Stratasys.
Stratasys, a long-time member of the SOLIDWORKS Partner Program, also announced a GrabCAD Print Add-In for SOLIDWORKS. This add-in helps users estimate and 3D print parts for a range of Stratasys systems, including the F123 Series without leaving the SOLIDWORKS environment, giving 3D printer access to the entire community of SOLIDWORKS design and engineering professionals.
The Stratasys F123 Series is available in three models with build sizes ranging from 10 to 14 in. (25.4 to cm to 35.56 cm).
–F170 = 10 x 10 x 10,
–F270 = 12 x 10 x 12,
–F370 14 x 10 x 14.)
Layer thickness ranges from 0.013 in. (0.330 mm) to 0.005 in. (0.127 mm).
Parts are produced within an accuracy of +/- 0.200 mm (0.008 in.), or +/-0 .002 mm/mm (0.002 in./in.), whichever is greater.
In Fast Draft Mode, PLA material can be used to quickly produce conceptual prototypes at a low cost per part. Production-grade ASA and ABS produce strong, stable, repeatable parts, and for even stronger, impact-resistant parts there is engineering-grade PC-ABS.
A compatible wash station makes support material removal safe and easy.
Enhanced user experience dominates the Stratasys F123 Series design, with no special 3D printing expertise required to achieve professional results. Fueled by Stratasys Insight software, almost any CAD file can be used while Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print eliminates time wasted on file conversion and STL preparation.
The Stratasys F123 Series employs 15 new Stratasys patents in its design.
Stratasys Ltd.
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