Manufacturers Can Now Quickly Produce High-Quality Master Patterns for Investment Casting Production with New 3D Printing Build Processor from Stratasys and Materialise

Rhea-AI Summary

Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) and Materialise have launched the Stratasys Neo® Build Processor for Investment Casting, a solution designed to accelerate the production of high-quality investment casting master patterns. This new processor, developed for Stratasys Neo®450 and Neo®800 stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers, offers up to 50% faster file processing and significantly enhanced print speeds.

The processor streamlines the 3D printing workflow for manufacturers in aerospace and other demanding industries, potentially resulting in up to 75% time savings compared to traditional manufacturing methods. It combines Somos® WaterShed® AF resin, Neo SLA technology, and advanced Materialise software to produce highly accurate 3D printed master patterns with minimal finishing required.

Positive

• Up to 50% improvement in file processing and printing speeds for complex high-quality patterns
• Potential for up to 75% time savings compared to traditional manufacturing methods
• Enhanced capabilities including faster file processing, improved workflow integration, and superior part quality
• Customizable build parameters for optimized production

Negative

• None.

Manufacturing Technology Expert

The collaboration between Stratasys and Materialise marks a significant advancement in investment casting technology. The new Stratasys Neo® Build Processor offers up to 50% faster file processing and enhanced print speeds, which is a game-changer for manufacturers in aerospace and other demanding industries. This improvement can lead to substantial time savings, potentially up to 75% compared to traditional methods.

The ability to rapidly produce intricate designs previously unachievable with conventional techniques opens new avenues for innovation, especially in small-series production runs. The combination of Somos® WaterShed® AF resin, Neo SLA technology and Materialise's advanced software creates highly accurate 3D printed master patterns with minimal finishing requirements. This streamlined process is poised to revolutionize metal casting, offering exceptional quality in record time.

While this technology primarily benefits aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors, its impact on the broader manufacturing landscape shouldn't be underestimated. The enhanced capabilities, including customizable build parameters and improved workflow integration, suggest a significant leap forward in additive manufacturing efficiency and accessibility.

Aerospace Industry Analyst

This new build processor from Stratasys and Materialise is a significant development for the aerospace industry. The ability to produce high-quality investment casting master patterns up to 50% faster addresses a critical need in an industry where time-to-market and precision are paramount. The potential 75% time savings compared to traditional methods could dramatically accelerate prototyping and small-batch production of complex aerospace components.

The enhanced capabilities, such as variable layer thickness and customizable build parameters, align well with the aerospace sector's stringent quality requirements. This technology could enable more rapid iteration in aircraft design and potentially lead to more efficient, lightweight components. However, it's important to note that widespread adoption in aerospace will depend on rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure the final cast parts meet industry standards.

While this advancement is promising, aerospace companies will need to carefully evaluate the cost-benefit ratio and integration challenges before fully incorporating this technology into their production lines.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, the new Stratasys Neo® Build Processor for Investment Casting presents a compelling value proposition. The potential for up to 75% time savings in production could translate to significant cost reductions and improved cash flow for manufacturers. This efficiency gain may lead to higher profit margins or more competitive pricing, depending on market dynamics.

For Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS), this innovation could strengthen its market position in the industrial 3D printing sector. The collaboration with Materialise demonstrates a strategic approach to enhancing product offerings, which could drive revenue growth. However, the financial impact will depend on adoption rates and the ability to monetize these efficiency gains.

Investors should monitor key metrics such as sales growth in the Neo® printer line, recurring revenue from materials like Somos® WaterShed® AF resin and customer acquisition in targeted industries. While this development is positive, it's important to consider it within the broader context of Stratasys's overall financial performance and competitive landscape in the 3D printing industry.

Up to 50% Improvement in File Processing and Printing Speeds of Complex High-Quality Patterns

New Processor Supports Faster Time to Market for Metal Cast Parts

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. & REHOVOT, Israel & LEUVEN, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In collaboration with Materialise, Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) today announced the launch of the Stratasys Neo^® Build Processor for Investment Casting, a unique solution designed to accelerate the production of high-quality investment casting master patterns.

Manufacturers Can Now Quickly Produce High-Quality Master Patterns for Investment Casting Production with New 3D Printing Build Processor from Stratasys and Materialise (Photo: Business Wire)

This new build processor, developed for Stratasys Neo^®450 and Neo^®800 stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers, offers up to 50% faster file processing and significantly enhanced print speeds, streamlining the 3D printing workflow for manufacturers and service bureaus in the aerospace and other demanding industries.

3D printing master patterns can reduce the investment casting production time from weeks to days, potentially resulting in up to 75% time savings compared to traditional methods of manufacturing, including wax mold and CNC machining. The ability to rapidly produce intricate designs that were previously unachievable with conventional techniques opens up new possibilities for innovation in part design and functionality, specifically with small-series production runs.

The Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting is particularly beneficial for manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors, where speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness are paramount. Combining Somos^® WaterShed^® AF resin, Neo SLA technology, and advanced Materialise software with the variable layer thickness feature, produces highly accurate 3D printed master patterns requiring minimal finishing. This streamlined process is designed to yield exceptional metal castings in record time.

“This new build processor advances our mission to provide faster, more efficient solutions for producing high-quality master patterns,” said Rani Hagag, Chief Health Care and Consumer Business Officer at Stratasys. “Partnering with Materialise exemplifies how Stratasys collaborates with industry leaders to drive innovation and help our customers achieve their most challenging production goals with greater speed and precision.”

Materialise’s NxG Build Processor is a configurable software that translates large and complex 3D design files into 3D printable instructions, optimizing the 3D printing process from start to finish.

Enhanced Capabilities

Faster File Processing and Printing Speeds: Achieve quicker turnaround times with faster processing and print speeds by offloading computational tasks to the build processor, optimizing file preparation without compromising part integrity.

Improved Workflow Integration: Streamline workflows and reduce the learning curve for new users with a processor that integrates seamlessly with Materialise’s Lattice module and Stratasys’s Titanium™ software for Neo systems, minimizing human error.

Superior Part Quality: Enhance surface finish and reduce post-processing time with advanced variable layer thickness options that produce stable, high-quality master patterns.

Customizable Build Parameters: Optimize production with customizable parameters for geometry, supports, and lattices, leading to faster scanning and improved overall productivity.

“Our collaboration with Stratasys focuses on creating seamless integrations between software and hardware to make AM adoption more effortless for our customers,” said Udo Eberlein, Vice President Materialise Software. “With the NxG Build Processor for Stratasys Neo printers, we enable a broad set of applications but also unlock new possibilities for niche applications like investment casting, where the flexibility of additive manufacturing meets the reliability of metal casting processes that have been refined over thousands of years. This collaboration helps improve processing speed and print productivity, but is about more than just advancing technology; it’s about empowering industries to push the boundaries of what they can achieve with AM.”

About Stratasys

Stratasys is leading the global shift to additive manufacturing with innovative 3D printing solutions for industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products and healthcare. Through smart and connected 3D printers, polymer materials, a software ecosystem, and parts on demand, Stratasys solutions deliver competitive advantages at every stage in the product value chain. The world’s leading organizations turn to Stratasys to transform product design, bring agility to manufacturing and supply chains, and improve patient care.

To learn more about Stratasys, visit www.stratasys.com, the Stratasys blog, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Stratasys reserves the right to utilize any of the foregoing social media platforms, including Stratasys’ websites, to share material, non-public information pursuant to the SEC’s Regulation FD. To the extent necessary and mandated by applicable law, Stratasys will also include such information in its public disclosure filings.

About Materialise

Materialise incorporates more than three decades of 3D printing experience into a range of software solutions and 3D printing services that empower sustainable 3D printing applications. Our open, secure and flexible end-to-end solutions enable industrial manufacturing and mass personalization in various industries — including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, eyewear, art and design, wearables and consumer goods. Headquartered in Belgium and with branches worldwide, Materialise combines the largest group of software developers in the industry with one of the world’s largest and most complete 3D printing facilities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240909375286/en/

Stratasys Media and Investor Contacts:

Media:

Chris Reese, Stratasys Corporate, Americas Region, EMEA Region Public Relations, +1 651 357 0877

Erik Snider, Stratasys Corporate, Global, EMEA Region and Israel Public Relations, +972 74 745 6053

Investor Relations:

Yonah Lloyd, Stratasys Investor Relations, +972 74 745 4919

Materialise Press Contact

Kristof Sehmke, email: kristof.sehmke@materialise.be

Source: Stratasys

FAQ

What is the new product launched by Stratasys and Materialise for investment casting?

Stratasys and Materialise have launched the Stratasys Neo® Build Processor for Investment Casting, a solution designed to accelerate the production of high-quality investment casting master patterns using Stratasys Neo®450 and Neo®800 stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers.

How much faster is the file processing with the new Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting?

The new Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting offers up to 50% faster file processing and significantly enhanced print speeds compared to previous methods.

What time savings can manufacturers expect using the new Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting?

Manufacturers can potentially achieve up to 75% time savings compared to traditional manufacturing methods, such as wax mold and CNC machining, by using the new Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting.

Which industries can benefit from the Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting?

The Stratasys Neo Build Processor for Investment Casting is particularly beneficial for manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors where speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness are crucial.