Extrusion, or Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS) version known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM®), is the additive technology used in more than 90% of 3D printers in industry. You may think it’s a well-known technology. Hold on, Stratasys plans to take FDM to a new level of speed, accuracy, and repeatability.

Today, the company introduces its next generation manufacturing technologies and its SHAPING WHAT’S NEXT vision for manufacturing builds, specifically on customer needs to rapidly produce strong parts ranging in size from an automobile armrest to an entire aircraft interior panel.

Stratasys will show these two new systems at its IMTS booth, N-60, September 12–17.

One system is the Stratasys Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator. This machine is targeted at the application needs of aerospace, automotive and other industries for large lightweight, thermoplastic parts with repeatable mechanical properties. This machine features a revolutionary approach to FDM extrusion that increases throughput and repeatability—it turns the traditional 3D printer concept on its side to realize an “infinite-build” approach that prints on a vertical plane for practically unlimited part size in the build direction. With this first version, you can build parts at least 7 feet long within the machine itself. You can build longer parts if you supply support, such as a table or overhead crane to hold the rest of a part’s length.

Aerospace giant Boeing played an influential role in defining the requirements and specifications for the demonstrator. Boeing is currently using an Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator to explore the production of low volume, lightweight parts.

Ford Motor Company is also evaluating this technology for its automotive manufacturing applications. Ford and Stratasys will work together to test and develop new applications for automotive-grade 3D printed materials that were not previously possible due to limited size, enabling and accelerating innovative automotive product design.

The second system is the Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator. It combines Stratasys’ extrusion technology with Siemens motion control hardware and PLM software.

Stratasys and Siemens have been working closely together to further their shared vision of making 3D printing a viable and indispensable component of production manufacturing. The Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator is designed to revolutionize the 3D printing of composite parts.

In addition to widespread use in transportation industries like automotive and aerospace, industries such as oil and gas and medical use composite materials to make strong yet lightweight structures. Unfortunately, composites production is constrained by labor-intensive processes and geometric limitations.

The Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator delivers true 3D printing by using an 8-axis motion system that enables precise, directional material placement for strength while also reducing dramatically the need for support strategies.

“Siemens is pleased to support Stratasys in their innovative additive manufacturing initiatives, of which the Stratasys Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator is one of the most promising. By working closely with Stratasys on motion control and CNC automation, Siemens is helping to create a flexible, multi-function manufacturing workflow that puts 3D printing firmly in the factory. We look forward to continuing to work with Stratasys to build manufacturing solutions that transform industries,” said Arun Jain, VP, Motion Control, Digital Factory US, Siemens.

“Stratasys is leveraging our relationships with innovative industry leaders to further extend the applicability of additive manufacturing in demanding production environments,” said Ilan Levin, CEO, Stratasys. ”We view the level of factory integration, automation, and performance monitoring potentially offered by these new demonstrators as catalysts for the transformation to Industry 4.0.”

Stratasys Ltd.
www.stratasys.com