Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS), a world leader in 3D printing, announced on Friday, September 2, 2016, that Promolding, a Netherlands-based global design, engineering and manufacturing firm, will be introducing a 3D PRinted Injection Molding Division (PRIM) employing the company’s PolyJet 3D printing solutions. This approach to the production of molds is expected to reduce injection mold lead-times for Promolding customers by 93 percent.
In the news release, Jeroen Gross, product development manager at Promolding, explained why his company chose Stratasys’ printing solutions:
“We became increasingly aware of the need for a 3D printer that would help us optimize our product development process. We looked at several different options, but fell in love with Stratasys’ Objet Connex 3D Printer and its ability to not only improve our prototyping, but also become a key driver for our PRIM business. Traditionally, injection mold development required at least a six-week lead-time, but by designing and 3D printing the molds in-house, we can produce molds in just three days.”
Promolding is already familiar with Stratasys PolyJet 3D printing, having used the technology to solve a number of complex applications within product development. Promolding will now be exploiting a new business opportunity by using the Stratasys Objet500 Connex 3D Printer to enhance the injection molding process. This will improve the company’s ability to provide advanced design solutions and products to a diverse customer base that includes well-known names like Heineken (OTCQX: HEINY) and Airbus (OTC: EADSY). Promolding has established a reputation for creating high-tech plastic parts using high performance polymer-based solutions.
“PRIM is available to our customers as an additional service in parallel to prototyping and traditional injection molding,” Gross added. “In the future, we believe PRIM will be seen as a commonplace process of its own. We have come a long way and we’ll continue to explore further applications in which PolyJet 3D printing can enhance our offering.”
PolyJet is a 3D printing technology that jets and cures thin layers of liquid photopolymer with ultra-violet rays. It is capable of printing in 16-micron layers and in many durometers and colors for multi-material parts. A durometer is a measure of a material’s hardness.
“Particularly with the development of bigger and more complex products, it is crucial as a business that we are as efficient as possible throughout the product development process, without compromising on quality,” noted Gross. “Having our 3D printer has enabled us to achieve this and given us an incredible level of flexibility. We can use the technology in the early development phases to speed up the design process and develop, review and adapt prototypes earlier, but also extend the efficiencies into production through our PRIM process. It really has been a game-changer and we’ve seen the benefits passed onto our customers.”
Promolding’s new PRIM division will speed up design, engineering and manufacturing times and significantly increase production flexibility. In a recent project undertaken for Fugro (OTC: FURGF), a world leader in integrated geotechnical, survey, sub-sea and geo-science services, for the design of a fiber optic sensor enclosure, Promolding was able to quickly produce a series of complex molds using its Objet500 Connex 3D Printer in order to meet the customer’s tight deadline. The exercise produced over 50 samples of the intricate sensor housing in a number of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials.
Stratasys has been at the forefront of 3D printing innovation and additive manufacturing for more than 25 years. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Rehovot, Israel, the company has been shaping lives by helping researchers and health experts expand human knowledge and advance health care delivery. Now it is fueling the next generation of innovation through its work in the aerospace, automotive and education fields. Stratasys has been granted or has pending 800 additive manufacturing patents and has received more than 30 technology and leadership awards. The company has over 2,700 employees. Its revenues for the financial year 2015 were $696 million.
For more information, visit www.Stratasys.com
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