The second day of SolidWorks World 2014 held in San Diego brought forth many exciting inventions. One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of the Objet500 Connex3 Colour Multi-material 3D Printer by Stratasys.
Image credit: Stratasys
The Objet500 Connex3 Colour Multi-material 3D Printer represents a major breakthrough for 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as it is the only 3D printer that enables colour 3D printing with virtually unlimited combinations of rigid, flexible and transparent materials as well as digital materials, all at once.
According to the Stratasys blog update, these unique features will enable manufacturers to 3D print ultra-realistic prototypes and moving parts with vivid colours and durability without assembly or painting. On top of that, it will also save manufacturers time and money, as they will be able to validate designs and make good decisions in the earliest stages of production, enabling superior products to hit the markets much faster.
As for the technical aspects of the machine, the Objet500 Connex3 Colour Multi-material 3D Printer is equipped with triple-jetting technology that combines droplets of three base materials to produce realistic parts with hundreds of vibrant colours and never-ending combinations of rigid, flexible and transparent materials, colour digital materials, as well as high temperature materials to simulate standard and high temperature engineering plastic.
It also enables manufacturers to print models with excellent mechanical properties such as superior tensile strength, elongation at break and multiple hardness shore value.
Stratasys is a leading manufacturer of 3D printers and 3D production systems for office-based rapid phototyping and direct digital manufacturing solutions. Engineers across the world use Stratasys systems to model complex geometries in a wide range of thermoplastic materials.
