Stratasys reveals 3D printing for larger parts, faster production

Stratasys’ Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator (left); Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator (right)

Minneapolis & Rehovot, Israel – The 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys Ltd. will demonstrate its next-generation manufacturing technologies at IMTS 2016.

Stratasys has just unveiled two demonstrators that will showcase how it has expanded its industrial fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing expertise to rapidly produce larger parts for aerospace and automotive customers. The technologies include horizontal FDM extrusion in 40" x 30" sizes with unlimited build depth and a robotic, 8-axis composite printer that uses carbon-fiber reinforced nylon filament to build feature-rich shapes without relying on additional support structures.

The Stratasys technology demonstrators are being displayed in IMTS 2016 booth #N-60, Sept. 12–17, 2016.

The Stratasys Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator is designed to address the requirements of aerospace, automotive, and other industries for large, lightweight, thermoplastic parts with repeatable mechanical properties. The Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator system turns the traditional 3D printer concept on its side to print on a vertical plane for practically unlimited part size in the build direction. The build material, SABIC’s Ultem 9085, is screw-fed in micro-pellet form to a gantry system holding a deposition head housed within an ingenious curing oven.

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

Ford Motor Co. and Stratasys are working together to test and develop new applications for the Infinite-Build technology to produce automotive-grade 3D printed materials that were not previously possible due to size limitations.

Stratasys developed the Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator by integrating its core additive manufacturing technologies with industrial motion control hardware and PLM software for design and manufacturing provided by Siemens.

It 3D prints using an 8-axis motion system that enables precise, directional material placement for strength while also reducing the need for speed-hindering support architecture. Virtually unlimited positioning allows building in the Z-axis with consistent orientation to gravity This technology can be used to produce parts from a variety of materials or with features, such as spiral flutes or rings laid down in perpendicular layers, added after the primary build.

“Stratasys is building on our success in manufacturing with applications such as manufacturing aids, injection molds, and composite tooling, and 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 invites all visitors to IMTS to see these new technologies, as well as our field-proven industrial additive manufacturing solutions, in action.”

In addition to the Infinite-Build and Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrators being featured in technology demonstrations, at IMTS 2016 Stratasys will be showcasing examples of 3D printing applications used today by Stratasys customers all over the world for tooling and manufacturing processes, including 3D printed jigs & fixtures, composite tooling, mold tooling, and production parts.

Source: Stratasys Ltd.