Stratasys Installs Its 6,000th Rapid Prototyping System; Dell Inc. Becomes Landmark Customer for RP Leader

Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS) announced that Dell Inc.
purchased Stratasys' 6,000th rapid prototyping system. Dell became the
landmark customer for Stratasys when it installed an FDM Vantage(TM)
SE in May at its Product Group in Austin, Texas. Stratasys has
installed more rapid prototyping systems than any other manufacturer,
worldwide.
Dell decided to purchase the FDM Vantage after using a previous
model FDM system for many years, says the development group's senior
engineering manager, Andrew Moore, "We didn't need to be convinced of
its accuracy. We proved it to ourselves previously. We've been
satisfied with the original FDM system, so purchasing a second one was
an easy decision."
It was important to Dell that the RP system creates functional,
durable models using a variety of high-performance engineering
materials like ABS, polycarbonate and PC-ABS, according to Moore. "The
expanded suite of available materials was one of the major reasons for
purchase," he says. "We also liked the machine's large build envelope,
which allows us to build almost any size plastic part within our
designs in a single build. "
Dell's purchase is intended to help the computer firm develop
early and speculative prototypes of parts and subsystems for notebook
computers, desktop computers and enterprise systems. "Using FDM, our
teams are able to drive rapid iteration and build consensus on design
direction," Moore says.
"We have measured essentially 100 percent material properties
parallel to the build and greater than 80 percent properties
perpendicular to the build. We take advantage of this in functional
parts -- particularly where deflection properties are important --
like on snap fits. Because we can make functional models, we're able
to understand design capability and see where improvement is necessary
early in the design cycle. We are also able to save significant money
on parts that would have been machined or rapid prototyped by
third-parties. This machine will pay for itself well-within the first
year."
Stratasys Inc., Minneapolis, makes rapid manufacturing and
prototyping systems and 3D printers, and it offers prototyping and
manufacturing services. Stratasys equipment is used in industries such
as aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, and consumer products. In
2005, the company installed 34 percent of all systems sold worldwide,
making it the unit market leader for the fourth consecutive year,
according to Wohlers Report 2006. Stratasys patented the rapid
prototyping process known as fused deposition modeling (FDM(R)). The
process creates functional models or production parts directly from
any 3D CAD program using ABS plastic, polycarbonate, PPSF and blends.
The company holds 175 granted or pending global prototyping patents.
In addition to manufacturing products, Stratasys is the exclusive
North American distributor of PolyJet rapid prototyping systems and
Arcam rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems. On the Web:
www.Stratasys.com
FDM Vantage is a trademark, and FDM and Stratasys are registered
trademarks of Stratasys Inc.

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