Additive manufacturing (AM) machines and 3D printers have a reputation for being slower than users desire when it comes to building a part. Speed depends on part design, material, and the selected additive build process. However, with the recent claims HP made about deliver a 10 fold increase in build speed with its multi-jet fusion system, it’s not suprising to learn that established manufacturers of AM machines have been hard at work making improvements to speed, as well as other desired features.

At this year’s Hannover Show, Stratasys Ltd. is introducing its industrial scale Objet1000 Plus 3D Production System, which offers a large print size (1000 x 800 x 500 mm or 39 x 31 x 19 in.) and accelerated speeds (40% faster) for such manufacturing applications as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and consumer products. It will also find use in service bureaus and universities.

The Objet1000 Plus can mix materials and part sizes while maintaining ultra fine precision of up to 85 microns for features smaller than 50 mm, and up to 600 microns for full model size (for rigid materials only, depending on geometry, build parameters and model orientation). Layer thicknesses are 16 microns.

For the speed, the build table is efficiently traversed with a new optimized print block movement that accelerates print speeds up to 40% faster than its predecessor. This productivity boost alongside other refinements and simple post processing results in reduced cost-per-part.

You can choose from more than 100 Stratasys materials including the polypropylene-like Endur. The Objet1000 Plus can produce tough parts with smooth surface finishes in high-speed mode while taking advantage of the new Endur Digital Materials which combine two resins in a single material for a wider range of material properties.

“The range of materials is quite extensive,” said Ron Ellenbogen, Stratasys Product Marketing Director. “From rubber-like materials to Digital ABS to various Shore A levels, up to 14 material properties are possible on a single part. And many parts can be produced with varying properties in a single run.”

Unlike many large-format systems, there is no trade-off between part size and part quality. The workflow is identical to smaller PolyJet 3D printing systems, and the system is simple to operate and is designed for long periods of unattended operation.

The Objet1000 Plus Production System combines large print sizes, multiple materials, accelerated print speeds, fine resolution and a simplified workflow. This systems fits the need to create industrial 1:1 scale prototypes, large ergonomic production tools or low volumes of small parts – all with the excellent surface finish and fine details.

Leslie Langnau
llangnau@wtwhmedia.com