Dec 4 - Stratasys to Offer SABIC Thermoplastic for DDM, Prototyping

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Stratasys to Offer SABIC Thermoplastic for DDM, Prototyping

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Dec 4, 2008 - Stratasys announced today at the EuroMold Show in Frankfurt, that it will offer SABIC's ULTEM* 9085, a high-performance 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 widely used in aircraft interiors. The material has a V-O 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(TM) and FDM 400mc.(TM)

Until today, 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 percent 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, (formerly of Boeing). Direct digital manufacturing or DDM is the process of manufacturing parts directly from CAD data using additive fabrication. DDM brings great efficiencies for low-volume manufacturing and the ability to build spare parts on demand. "Having ULTEM 9085 available for the FDM process will allow aerospace manufacturers to adopt direct digital manufacturing on a larger scale.

"DDM allows manufacturers to integrate part designs, which can significantly reduce part lead times," says DeGrange. "And it can even allow the production of parts that couldn't otherwise be manufactured with tradition methods. This can improve the assembly design and performance."

ULTEM 9085 is heat resistant up to 320° F (160° C) and is inherently flame-retardant, offering full FST compliance including OSU heat release of less than 55/55, or 55 kw min/m2 for heat release and 55 kw/m2 for peak heat release.

Besides the aerospace industry, Stratasys anticipates that the availability of ULTEM 9085 for FDM prototyping and production can benefit various industries, including the marine-product and automotive industries.

To receive a sample part, request a benchmark part, or for more details, visit the Stratasys Web site at ULTEM 9085 or call 1-800-480-3548.

About Stratasys Inc.

Stratasys Inc., Minneapolis, manufactures additive fabrication machines for direct digital manufacturing (a.k.a rapid manufacturing), 3D printing, and rapid prototyping. It also offers part manufacturing services through its RedEye RPM business unit. According to Wohlers Report 2008, Stratasys supplied 44 percent of all additive fabrication systems installed worldwide in 2007, making it the unit market leader for the sixth consecutive year. Stratasys patented and owns the process known as fused deposition modeling (FDM). The process creates functional prototypes and end-use parts directly from any 3D CAD program, using ABS plastic, polycarbonate, PPSF, and blends. The company holds more than 180 granted or pending additive fabrication patents globally. Stratasys products are used in the aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, education, electronic, and consumer product industries.

For more information, visit www.Stratasys.com.

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