BADEN BADEN, Germany, December 15,
2015 /PRNewswire/ --
"We would have not been
able to take this product from development to launch without using
Stratasys 3D printing to develop a working prototype -
it's as simple as that,"
Oliver Risse,
Floatility's founder
Fully-functional 3D printed
prototypes produced 50% faster using both FDM and
PolyJet 3D printing technologies from Stratasys in
comparison to silicon molding
Stratasys EMEA, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS),
the 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company, today
announced that German start-up business, Floatility GmbH, has
developed a first-of-its-kind, lightweight, solar-powered, electric
scooter using both Stratasys PolyJet and FDM 3D printing
technology.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295932 )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295933 )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295934 )
With the objective to 'redefine the modern way of travelling in
cities worldwide', the
'e-floater' scooter
houses an electric-motor and drives on three wheels, enabling users
to stand upright and ride freely without physical exertion. As an
'intelligent' vehicle, the e-floater is also able to communicate to
its owner in real time where it is located and the condition it is
in.
In order meet the product's launch date of November, Floatility
utilized both Stratasys FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies
throughout the product development phase to create a working
prototype. An additional benefit was that this was achieved
significantly more cost-effectively than using traditional
methods.
"The need to build prototypes that exactly resembled the final
product and that would enable us to test everything thoroughly was
vital to the successful launch of this product," says Oliver Risse, Floatility's founder. "3D printing
was essential in this regard as it allowed the team to physically
test the design and concept of e-floater as if it were the final
product. This not only sped up the product development cycle, but
dramatically reduced our product development costs. We would have
not been able to take this product from concept to launch without
using Stratasys 3D printing solutions to develop a working
prototype - it's as simple as that."
Developing an advanced prototype that accurately
resembles the final product
As well as improved time and cost efficiencies, the decision to
use multiple Stratasys 3D printing technologies was also based on
the capability to combine different materials in one print, which
enabled the prototype versions to comprise both soft and hard
materials.
This saw the team produce soft components such as the tail- and
front lights, wheels and grips on the PolyJet-based Objet500
Connex3 Color Multi-material 3D Printer, while the super-tough
components were 3D printed using the mechanically-strong and UV
stable, FDM-based, ASA material on the Stratasys Fortus 450 3D
Production System.
According to Risse, the less favourable alternative would have
been to use silicon molding to create the prototype. "This was not
ideal for a number of reasons," he says. "Not only would it have
entailed an assembly of up to 20 parts, but the costs would have
been significantly higher and the production time would have been
double to that achievable with 3D printing."
"The e-floater is a perfect example of how 3D printing enables
designers and inventors to turn their concepts into
fully-operational products quickly and cost-effectively," concludes
Andy Middleton, President,
Stratasys, EMEA. "In this case, the blend of both our core 3D
printing technologies proved instrumental in bringing another
exciting and innovative product to market and, as a company, we're
delighted to play a part in helping Floatility - and other start-up
businesses like them - bring their ideas to products."
For more than 25 years, Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) has been a
defining force and dominant player in 3D printing and additive
manufacturing - shaping the way things are made. Headquartered in
Minneapolis, Minnesota and
Rehovot, Israel, the company
empowers customers across a broad range of vertical markets by
enabling new paradigms for design and manufacturing. The company's
solutions provide customers with unmatched design freedom and
manufacturing flexibility - reducing time-to-market and lowering
development costs, while improving designs and communications.
Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape and the
Stratasys ecosystem includes 3D printers producing prototypes and
parts; a wide range of 3D printing materials; parts on-demand via
Stratasys Direct Manufacturing; strategic consulting and
professional services; and Thingiverse/GrabCAD communities with 5+
million free design components, printable files. With 3,000
employees and 800 granted or pending additive manufacturing
patents, Stratasys has received more than 30 technology and
leadership awards. Visit us online at: http://www.stratasys.com or
http://blog.stratasys.com.
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