Stratasys is showcasing progress throughout a number of domains at RAPID + TCT 2024. Along with partnering with AM Craft to provide aviation parts, the corporate has additionally partnered with BASF on SAF and launched a brand new digital anatomy printer. Beforehand, the agency enabled OpenAM to be included within the F900, permitting using supplies from outdoors distributors on the big FDM machine. For instance, the VICTREX AM 200, a PEAK compound by a number one PEEK agency, is now supported. The Somos NeXt materials has additionally been made accessible for the workhorse NPS Vat Polymerization programs, and the F770 now provides extra ABS colours.
General, Stratasys is pursuing 4 key methods concurrently. The agency is working to make its present tools extra open for manufacturing by permitting using exterior supplies and creating new machines such because the F3300. It’s partnering with supplies and different companies to create extra application-centric choices. It’s creating extra application-specific machines, reminiscent of the style and anatomy printers. Lastly, the corporate is increasing the capabilities of its present programs and put in base to raised serve its shoppers. This balanced method might allow Stratasys to generate extra income from present shoppers, enhance income from manufacturing, and acquire extra revenue from particular options. Nonetheless, it is a balancing act, and if not managed fastidiously, the corporate might danger cannibalizing its present revenues whereas failing to maneuver into higher-volume areas.
PP for SAF
One necessary space for Stratasys is its selective absorption fusion (SAF) expertise. The Stratasys H350 might provide a less expensive technique to manufacture polymer elements at scale, probably being extra environment friendly, quicker, and cheaper than powder mattress fusion alternate options. Nonetheless, introducing a brand new expertise to the 3D printing trade is commonly time-consuming and calls for persistence. The corporate is now partnering with BASF Ahead AM to introduce polypropylene (PP) for SAF. Polypropylene, one of the crucial extensively used supplies globally, might discover many functions in prototypes, industrial parts, shopper merchandise, and extra. Stratasys hopes the fabric will probably be particularly helpful for automotive parts like housings and ducting, orthotic units, and shopper sports activities gear reminiscent of shin guards, in addition to versatile pipes and complex sensor mounts.
The concept of utilizing PP for shin guards is interesting as a result of it represents a high-volume utility that could possibly be profitable. Using PP for versatile pipes is an apparent alternative, however it’s an utility that’s typically missed. Being lighter in weight than many TPUs and customarily delicate however sturdy, PP might change into a extensively used materials in numerous industries.
“With superior nesting potential and a complete turnaround time of lower than 36 hours, SAF PP permits prospects to provide a whole lot of elements in a single construct. This boosts productiveness and value effectivity, delivering high-quality elements at a decrease price,” stated Neil Hopkinson, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing Know-how atStratasys.
Decreasing half prices is essential for Stratasys. If it might demonstrably obtain this, it’ll drive adoption for SAF.
“The floor end of SAF PP elements is unparalleled. The positive element decision and uniform look are far superior to another PBF printed PP we’ve got seen, considerably enhancing the visible attraction of our closing merchandise,” stated Philipp Götz, CEO of beta buyer Götz Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG.
That will be excellent information certainly, as issues have been raised about floor end and half optics relating to SAF. If these fears show to be unfounded, extra individuals would seemingly contemplate SAF as an alternative choice to different powder mattress applied sciences.
J5 Medical Machine
The Stratasys J5 is a brand new entry-level medical modeling machine designed particularly for Digital Anatomy. It resembles present Stratasys tools however is tailor-made for this explicit utility. At present, over 200 hospitals worldwide have 3D print labs. In surgical planning, coaching, and affected person consultations, medical fashions are invaluable. They permit the showcasing of uncommon pathologies and assist information sufferers by way of advanced choices relating to future procedures.
There isn’t any clear chief within the digital anatomy market, with many establishments utilizing Formlabs or Ultimaker printers for this function. Stratasys hopes to face out with its programs by providing extra colours, completely different densities, and various textures. Moreover, the corporate has carried out analysis to imitate the texture of actual tissue and vasculature, which might make a big distinction in educating functions.
¨The J5 Digital Anatomy printer is designed to be user-friendly and facility-friendly, making superior anatomical modeling accessible to a broader vary of medical establishments,” stated Erez Ben Zvi, VP Medical for Stratasys.
Cheaper than the prevailing Digital Anatomy programs, the Stratasys J5 might considerably develop Stratasys’ attain in hospitals. This PolyJet system produces nicer-looking and feeling elements, however the materials and printer prices are a lot larger than alternate options. For Stratasys to make inroads on this market, it wants to emphasise the superior haptics and coloration high quality of its fashions. In particular areas like vascular surgical procedure, this could possibly be a decisive issue, whereas different surgeons would possibly desire to provide cheaper fashions extra steadily.
The printer comes with BoneMatrix materials that mimics porous bone, TissueMatrix for tissue, a assist materials, and a radio-opaque materials. The system is 510K cleared and has ISO 10993-1:2018 and ISO 18562-1:2017 certifications, permitting customers to make fashions with restricted tissue and bone contact, everlasting pores and skin contact, and gasoline pathway fashions. Moreover, the supplies and manufacturing processes are ISO 13485 licensed, which ought to present customers with reassurance relating to high quality and security.
The GrabCAD Print Digital Anatomy Software program is designed to simplify 3D printing and file dealing with. Assist supplies are water jet soluble. The utmost half dimension is 140 x 200 x 190 mm, whereas the system itself measures 651 x 661 x 1511 mm and weighs 253 kg.
General, we will see a coherent plan by Stratasys to create application-specific materials and printer combos that combine effectively with software program. Concurrently, the agency is aiming to allow lower-cost per half and larger-scale manufacturing. The technique seems sound, however we must wait and see if polypropylene (PP) will probably be adopted at scale for manufacturing and if hospitals will flip to the J5 in giant numbers.
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