Stratasys Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator boasts Siemens’ motion control hardware, PLM software

MINNEAPOLIS, 25 Aug. 2016. Additive manufacturing/3D printing solutions company Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) and Siemens engineers have been working very closely together to further their shared vision of making 3D printing a viable and indispensable component of production manufacturing for aerospace and other industry verticals. The companies have integrated Stratasys core additive manufacturing technologies with industrial motion control hardware and design–to-3D printing software capabilities provided by Siemens to form the Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator, designed to revolutionize the 3D printing of composite parts.

The Stratasys Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator for producing large tools and production parts is designed for accuracy, repeatability, and speed for custom OEM production and on-demand aftermarket disruption. (Photo: Business Wire)

Composite materials are used to make strong yet lightweight structures; yet, composite production is constrained by labor-intensive processes and geometric limitations.

The Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator delivers true 3D printing by using an 8-axis motion system that enables precise, directional material placement for strength while also reducing dramatically the need for speed-hindering support strategies. This redefines how future lightweight parts will be built, and provides a glimpse into how this technology could be used to accelerate the production of parts made from a wide variety of materials, officials say.

“Siemens is pleased to support Stratasys in their innovative additive manufacturing initiatives, of which the Stratasys Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator is one of the most promising. By working closely with Stratasys on motion control and CNC automation, Siemens is helping to create a flexible, multi-function manufacturing workflow that puts 3D printing firmly in the factory. We look forward to continuing to work with Stratasys to build manufacturing solutions that transform industries,” says Arun Jain, VP, Motion Control, Digital Factory US, Siemens.

“Stratasys is building on our success in manufacturing with applications such as manufacturing aids, injection molds and composite tooling, and leveraging our relationships with innovative industry leaders to further extend the applicability of additive manufacturing in demanding production environments,” explains Stratasys CEO Ilan Levin. “We view the level of factory integration, automation, and performance monitoring potentially offered by these new demonstrators as catalysts for the transformation to Industry 4.0. Stratasys invites all visitors to IMTS to see these new technologies, as well as our field-proven industrial additive manufacturing solutions, in action.”

For more than 25 years, Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) has been a defining force and dominant player in 3D printing and additive manufacturing – shaping the way things are made. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Rehovot, Israel, the company empowers customers across a broad range of vertical markets by enabling new paradigms for design and manufacturing. The company’s solutions provide customers with unmatched design freedom and manufacturing flexibility – reducing time-to-market and lowering development costs, while improving designs and communications.

Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the Stratasys ecosystem includes 3D printers for prototyping and production; a wide range of 3D printing materials; parts on-demand via Stratasys Direct Manufacturing; strategic consulting and professional services; and the Thingiverse and GrabCAD communities with over 2 million 3D printable files for free designs. With more than 2,700 employees and 800 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents, Stratasys has received more than 30 technology and leadership awards.

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