This true product-matching sports shoe prototype was produced with full color, smooth surfaces and a rubber-like sole, all in a single print operation on the Stratasys J750 3-D Printer.
Stratasys Ltd., a 3-D printing and additive manufacturing (AM) solutions company, recently introduced its newest 3-D printer, the J750. "This market-disruptive solution breaks restrictive technology barriers, enabling customers for the first time to mix-and-match full color gradients alongside an unprecedented range of materials to achieve one-stop realism without post-processing," said a company spokesperson.
"We have used 3-D printers for years but nothing has come close to revolutionizing our design and ideation process the way the Stratasys J750 has," said Brycen Smith, Engineering Technician Supervisor for OtterBox. "Stratasys allows us to innovate in ways we never thought possible and gives us the ability to create true product-matching prototypes and to cut down the time necessary to bring products to market."
The Stratasys J750, the premier addition to the Objet Connex multi-color, multi-material series of 3-D printers, allows customers to choose from more than 360,000 different color shades plus multiple material properties ranging from rigid to flexible and opaque to transparent. "Prototypes can include an array of colors, materials and material properties in the same part, speeding production of realistic models, prototypes and parts for virtually any application need," said the spokesperson. "Additionally, the J750 delivers incomparable 3-D printing versatility to produce tooling, molds, jigs and fixtures and more."
"The J750 enables near instantaneous decision-making by streamlining the way products are designed, evaluated and brought to market," said the spokesperson. "The J750 is expected to improve TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) by eliminating many of the traditional complex processes, time and resources required to create product-matching prototypes. Designers and engineers can physically experience true product prototypes within hours of developing an initial concept for immediate design and function validation with internal stakeholders and end users. Design decisions can be made instantaneously and with full confidence to help accelerate product delivery."
"Today's supply chain is considering transformational opportunities that can be realized through 3-D printing capabilities. It is enabling new business opportunities to more quickly design and test products that are under development, as well as to actually manufacture commercial and industrial goods. (3-D printing technologies) are also enabling the `new possible' by producing new designs that could not be made with traditional manufacturing technologies, while negating assembly, improving performance and elevating part quality," according to Michael Shanler, Research Director and Pete Basiliere, Research VP for Imaging and Print Services, Gartner.
New PolyJet Studio and Six Material Capacity
The J750's one-stop realism is supported with a streamlined workflow beginning with the PolyJet Studio. The software's new intuitive user interface allows users to simply choose materials, optimize the build and manage print queues. Assignment of colors, transparencies and rigidity is eased via familiar design controls. Color textures can be loaded fully intact via VRML files imported from CAD tools.
The Stratasys J750 also minimizes downtime associated with material changeovers. Featuring a large, six-material capacity, it keeps the most used resins loaded and ready for printing. Newly designed, state-of-the-art print heads means simulated production plastics, like Digital ABS, can be 3-D printed in half the time of other Stratasys PolyJet systems. Since 3-D printed models are delivered complete with full colors, color textures and multiple materials, no time is wasted on painting and assembly.
"By combining full color with multiple materials and a streamlined workflow, the J750 recalibrates the impact of 3-D printing in the product development cycle," said Josh Claman, Chief Business Officer, Stratasys. "Informed design decisions can be made immediately after the conception stage. The time saved by eliminating the painting and assembly process can lead to faster product delivery times. The J750 is a multi-purpose system that can also produce production tools, manufacturing molds, teaching aids and other models."
For more information contact:
Stratasys Ltd.
7665 Commerce Way
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
877-489-9449 / 952-937-3000
info@stratasys.com
www.stratasys.com