If It Prints, I'll Let You Know

Stratasys Ltd. has unveiled a huge surprise a few weeks before the year 2012 ended, and it’s  in the form of a 40-pound 3D printer that is designed for rapidly creating large industrial size models.

The Objet1000 3D printer features an ultra-large build tray size of 39.3 x 31.4 x 19.6 inches. It is able to run the full gamut of fit, form and functional prototyping requirements for designers, engineers, and manufacturers.

In its website, Stratasys Ltd. labeled Objet1000 3D printer as something that’s easy to use and can work for prolonged unattended periods — qualities that make it perfectly suited for a wide range of industries, including automotive, defense, aerospace, consumer goods, household appliances and industrial machinery.

What’s more, Objet1000 3D printer can adeptly print large and small models with no compromise on precision. It combines the advanced precision of inkjet-based 3D printing with Objet’s renowned Connex multi-material build capability. Users can choose from over 120 different types of plastics to create their products, ranging from full transparency to  ABS grade engineering plastics.

“The Objet1000 saves manufacturers and designers from having to assemble prototypes from smaller-sized jigsaw pieces or from having to use various less effective or efficient solutions,” Igal Zeitun, VP for Product Marketing and Consumables at Objet, said in a news release. “Unlike comparable 3D printing systems, the Objet100 is just as good at printing 1:1 scale casings that can be drilled, assembled, and screwed together as it is at reproducing the precise look and feel of small, complexly assembled consumer products.”