Stratasys to Offer New Thermoplastic Option
MINNEAPOLIS, December 3-Stratasys, manufacturer of additive fabrication machines for direct digital manufacturing, 3-D printing and rapid prototyping, announces that it will offer Sabic’s Ultem 9085, a thermoplastic for direct digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping. The material will be available from Stratasys for the FDM additive fabrication process in the first quarter of 2009.
Ultem 9085 is a strong, lightweight, flame-retardant thermoplastic used in aircraft interiors. The material has a V-Ø rating for flame, smoke and toxicity (FST). Its availability for the FDM additive fabrication process will allow direct digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping with this material for the first time. Because Ultem 9085 is certified for use on commercial aircrafts, manufacturers can bypass a lengthy certification process. The material will be available for Stratasys’ top two additive fabrication machines-the FDM 900mc and FDM 400mc.
Until now, Ultem 9085 was available only for conventional manufacturing methods. The material was originally developed to help the aerospace industry boost fuel efficiency and safety. It offers strength and flexibility while producing 5% to 15% lighter interior parts than other aerospace plastics.
“More and more manufacturers are discovering direct digital manufacturing,” says Stratasys Vice President of Direct Digital Manufacturing Jeff DeGrange. Direct digital manufacturing, or DDM, is the process of manufacturing parts directly from computer-aided design (CAD) data using additive fabrication. DDM brings great efficiencies for low-volume manufacturing and the ability to build spare parts on demand.
To receive a sample part, request a benchmark part or for more details, visit the Stratasys Web site at www.stratasys.com or call (800) 480-3548.
Ultem 9085 is a strong, lightweight, flame-retardant thermoplastic used in aircraft interiors. The material has a V-Ø rating for flame, smoke and toxicity (FST). Its availability for the FDM additive fabrication process will allow direct digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping with this material for the first time. Because Ultem 9085 is certified for use on commercial aircrafts, manufacturers can bypass a lengthy certification process. The material will be available for Stratasys’ top two additive fabrication machines-the FDM 900mc and FDM 400mc.
Until now, Ultem 9085 was available only for conventional manufacturing methods. The material was originally developed to help the aerospace industry boost fuel efficiency and safety. It offers strength and flexibility while producing 5% to 15% lighter interior parts than other aerospace plastics.
“More and more manufacturers are discovering direct digital manufacturing,” says Stratasys Vice President of Direct Digital Manufacturing Jeff DeGrange. Direct digital manufacturing, or DDM, is the process of manufacturing parts directly from computer-aided design (CAD) data using additive fabrication. DDM brings great efficiencies for low-volume manufacturing and the ability to build spare parts on demand.
To receive a sample part, request a benchmark part or for more details, visit the Stratasys Web site at www.stratasys.com or call (800) 480-3548.
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