After inventing Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printing in 1989, Stratasys has constantly been improving the process, coming up with ever-more inventive ways to perfect the technology. But in 2018, the company decided that the time had come for more than a fresh set of tweaks.
After collecting feedback from its most demanding customers on what they wanted from their FDM machines, Stratasys heard two very clear demands – cheaper parts and faster production times.
Dealing with these meant taking a completely new approach. The company began a complete, ground-up redesign of its FDM platform, resulting in the Stratasys F3300 which is shipping to its first customers, such as BAE Systems, now. The system is up to twice as fast as previous FDM machines, with a significantly reduced cost per part.
Inside, nothing is the same as its previous FDM machines, with 30 brand-new Stratasys patents. Every aspect of the FDM process has been re-thought to enable higher production throughput.
