3D Printing: Making it smarter and simpler

The new Stratasys F123 Series is easy to operate and maintain, whatever your level of experience.

Faster turnaround is the only way to enable iterative discovery without lengthening the design process. 3D printing users in aerospace, automotive, industrial design and education have reported improvements of 43 to 96 percent in prototyping speed when switching from traditional methods to 3D printing.

Traditional prototyping methods include injection molding, CNC machining, metal machining and 2D laser cutting. In some cases, lead time required by a machine shop has been a major factor in slowing prototype creation. As the trend toward affordable 3D printing continues to result in more decentralized machines, for example in departments or individual cubicles, opportunities to speed the design cycle are multiplying.

An optimized design process with more prototype iterations can help minimize risk of product failure. Because 3D printers can produce models with fine feature details and the strength to withstand rigorous testing, designers can be more confident in their work. Additionally, data integrity and security is paramount in a competitive environment. While sharing confidential STL files with trusted vendors is generally safe, having a 3D printer in house removes any worry that might stem from sending intellectual property offsite.

The new Stratasys F123 Series is easy to operate and maintain, whatever your level of experience. It’s also proficient at every stage of prototyping, from concept to validation to functional performance.

The three printers – F170, F270 and F370 – support a range of capabilities and budgets for every stage of prototyping. And today’s most common CAD file formats can be imported directly into GrabCAD.