Visitors to Solidworks World in L.A. this week will be able to see 3 new 3D printers from 3D printing company, Stratasys.
The company has just unveiled their latest range of 3D printers, the F123 series. 3D Printing Industry heard a few rumors about the new machines, so we reached out earlier to Stratasys for some more details.
The technical specs
Initial information is rather light on technical details. Beyond the FDM nature of the 3D printers the company tells us that, “The Stratasys F123 Series is available in three models with build sizes ranging from 10 to 14 inch (25.4 to cm to 35.56 cm).”
Furthermore the range of 3D printers will be able to use, “up to four material types in 10 colors.” PLA, ASA and ABS are all supported, as is PC-ABS.
We are also told that Stratasys worked with BMW on the exterior design of these new 3D printers.
Andre de Salis, Creative Director of BMW company Designworks said, “The Stratasys F123’s striking metal cladding expresses the performance, durability and refinement of the 3D printer to bring a new level of excitement and accessibility to professional 3D printing.”
We’ll let you know when we have more info about what’s inside.
3D Printing! At the touch of a button?
The early promo videos we saw show the F123 range sitting in an office and with the new range of 3D printers the company promise, “Enhanced user experience dominates the Stratasys F123 Series design, with no special 3D printing expertise required to achieve professional results.”
Like others in the 3D printing industry Stratasys are aiming to carve out a name as a solutions company, rather than a 3D printing company.
However, the wider market may remain skeptical about a 3D printer that requires no expertise. Overselling capabilities was a trap the industry fell into before, and one that many 3D printing businesses have struggled to climb out of. Indeed, in conversations with other manufacturers the approach now appears to be to under promise and over deliver. Furthermore, the use of application engineers at every customer contact point is designed to ensure user education and expectations can be appropriately managed. We look forward to seeing the results up close.
The new range runs Stratasys Insight software and GrabCAD Print.
3D Printing Industry were in attendance, alongside other representatives of the 3D printing industry, at an event organised to discuss the future of Intellectual Property and 3D printing and hosted at the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys today. Regarding the IP in these new 3D printers a spokesperson for the 3D printing business said, “the Stratasys F123 Series employs 15 new Stratasys patents in its design.”
We’re looking forward to hearing more about these particular patents, the technical specifications and price points of the 3 new 3D printers. 3D Printing Industry will bring you more news when we have it. We’ll also be taking a closer look at how these new machines compare to other 3D printers on the market once we’ve had time to become familiar with the full details and examine some test prints and samples.
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Featured image shows Stratasys Motorcycle Helmets produced by Ctr for Advanced Design. All photos in this article are courtesy of Stratasys Ltd.
