Apr 4, 2016 | By Alec

Stratasys is a 3D printing brand that needs no introduction, as it has been an integral part of the core of 3D printing technology for decades. In many ways, they are partly responsible for the 3D printing paradigm we know today, but they are already pushing its limits. They have just unveiled a potentially market-disrupting 3D printer that is every bit as functional and accessible as we all imagine 3D printers can be. Called the J750 3D Printer, it’s the world’s first full-color, multi-material high-resolution manufacturing machine and is perfect for almost instantaneous product development.

Stratasys, of course, has produced a wide range of high quality 3D printers already, which come in all shapes and sizes. While some of their machines are already driving metal 3D printing to its limits, the J750 3D printer is first and foremost a design machine that drives prototyping and concept development. And it takes those fields to new heights by combining the entirety of the Stratasys history. “With the introduction of the J750, we are harnessing more than 25 years of experience to set a new historical milestone in 3D printing – reaffirming our commitment to keeping customers always on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Josh Claman, Stratasys’ Chief Business Officer.

And to do so, they have essentially optimized their Objet Connex 3D printer range and signature polyjet technology and packaged it into a single machine. It’s most important selling points are the more than 360,000 different color shades that are available, plus a very wide range of material properties, ranging from rigid to flexible and opaque to transparent. Up to six of these materials can be used simultaneously. “J750 delivers incomparable 3D printing versatility to produce realistic prototypes, tooling, molds, jigs and fixtures and more,” its developers say. “The new 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. This, together with the system’s superior versatility, makes the J750 the ultimate 3D printing solution for product designers, engineers and manufacturers, as well as service bureaus.”

And where most multi-material 3D printers are bogged down by material changeovers, this hardly affects the J750 3D printer. “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 3D printed in half the time of other Stratasys PolyJet systems,” they say. And with a layer thickness as fine as 0.014 mm, every prototype will look as good as the real thing, and as smooth as you could want them.

Workflow is even further optimized by Stratasys’ new PolyJet Studio™ software, featuring an intuitive user interface that can be as complex or as a simple as you want it, with easy selection options for materials, colors, and the optimization and managing of print queues. Color textures can even be loaded fully intact via VRML files imported from CAD tools. It paves the way for a very broad variety of multi-material and multi-color prints, and the example of 3D printed sneakers really says it all.

It is thus, at its core, a revolutionary design tool that can truly be called an industry milestone. Its unprecedented making speed, accessibility, and vast array of material and color options give it the power to eliminate traditional complex, time and resource consuming processes completely. Prototyping becomes a matter of hours from start to finish, rather than a matter of weeks or months. “With its one-stop realism, the J750 is quite simply a game changer,” Claman proudly states. “The J750 is a multi-purpose system that can also produce production tools, manufacturing molds, teaching aids, and other models – truly raising the bar in 3D printing versatility.”

A perfect machine, in short, for product developers, 3D printing services, research institutions, and even special effects company. Even every home user will be dreaming of one. It’s no wonder that the initial response from the industry have been purely positive. OtterBox’s engineering technician supervisor Brycen Smith was completely wowed. “We’ve used 3D printers for years but nothing has come close to revolutionizing our design and ideation process the way the Stratasys J750 has,” he said. “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 is a game-changer for both OtterBox and the 3D printing industry.”

The release also comes at an excellent time, in which the prospects for the manufacturing industry and 3D printing have never been better. A wide range of industries, from defense and aerospace to jewelry, are all adopting metal and plastic 3D printing, and the technology’s compound annual growth is estimated at 34% over the last year. And with designing and prototyping making up around 10% of production costs, the J750 3D printer could be a game changer. Stratasys seems to have reinvented 3D printing.

 

 

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nightfalcon wrote at 4/18/2016 11:25:24 AM:

I follow apoc...most likely the price will be above the price of Objet500 Connex3 which they offer for about 350.000 USD. and do not forget consumable costs: build material is about 200-300 USD per kg. The current systems also have only a material efficiency of slightly better than 50% if you include all service processes. In summary, fantastic surface quality objects with true multicolor at incredible high price manufacturing costs per piece. The machine will not change the market in terms of numbers sold. Much too expensive vs. alternative technologies (e.g. 3D Systems' Projet4500).

nightfalcon wrote at 4/18/2016 11:24:37 AM:

I follow apoc...most likely the price will be above the price of Objet500 Connex3 which they offer for about 350.000 USD. and do not forget consumable costs: build material is about 200-300 USD per kg. The current systems also have only a material efficiency of slightly better than 50% if you include all service processes. In summary, fantastic surface quality objects with true multicolor at incredible high price manufacturing costs per piece. The machine will not change the market in terms of numbers sold. Much too expensive vs. alternative technologies (e.g. 3D Systems' Projet4500).

DT wrote at 4/6/2016 1:45:15 AM:

Much less

Apoc wrote at 4/5/2016 12:37:14 AM:

Likely over 500K based on their last system that wasn't as capable

Nuno wrote at 4/4/2016 7:43:40 PM:

Price point?



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