Stratasys Offers New Large-Scale 3-D Printing Technology

Stratasys Ltd., a provider of 3-D printing and additive manufacturing solutions, has introduced the industrial-scale Objet1000 Plus 3D Production System that, according to the company, offers extra-large print size and accelerated speeds for demanding manufacturing applications such as those required by the aerospace, automotive, medical device, and consumer products industries as well as for service bureaus and universities.

Company officials claim the Objet1000 Plus brings versatility to the world of large-scale 3-D printing in its ability to mix materials and part sizes while maintaining precision. Its extra-large build envelope (1000 by 800 by 500 millimeters/ 39 by 31 by 19 inches) is traversed with a new optimized print block movement that accelerates print speeds up to 40 percent faster than previous models. This productivity boost reduces cost per part, according to Stratasys.

Users can choose from more than 100 Stratasys materials, including the polypropylene-like Endur.

“The range of materials is quite extensive,” said Ron Ellenbogen, Stratasys product marketing director. “From rubber-like materials to Digital ABS to various Shore A levels, up to 14 material properties are possible on a single part. And many parts can be produced with varying properties in a single run.”

Unlike many large-format systems, there is no  “trade-off between part size and part quality,” according to the company. The workflow is identical to smaller PolyJet 3-D printers, and the system is both “simple to operate and designed for long periods of unattended operation,” officials said.

“Today’s designers and engineers at manufacturing companies and service bureaus need an additive manufacturing system that can take on all challenges—large and small. We believe that’s the big advantage of the Objet1000 Plus Production System. It is the first of its kind to combine large print sizes, multiple materials, accelerated print speeds, super fine resolution and a simplified workflow. If you need to create industrial 1:1 scale prototypes, large ergonomic production tools or low volumes of small parts—all with the surface finish and fine details engineers expect from Stratasys 3D printing—the Objet1000 Plus is the best choice,” said Ellenbogen.

Stratasys has facilities in Minneapolis, Minn., and Israel.