Stratasys Innovation Allows Polycarbonate Rapid Prototypes for Superior Functional Testing

    MINNEAPOLIS--May 9, 2001--Rapid Prototyping systems maker, Stratasys, announced a significant advance in rapid prototyping with the introduction of its FDM Titan.(TM) The system creates prototypes from Polycarbonate material, which offers superior characteristics for functional testing. Stratasys also plans to offer two additional high-performance materials for the Titan in the near future: PPSF (Polyphenylsulfone) and ABS plastic. The Titan will build models from each of the three materials, requiring minimal changeover steps between them. The system will be publicly introduced at the Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing show in Cincinnati on May 15, and is scheduled to ship commercially in the third quarter of this year.
    The selection of materials will offer users such high-performance characteristics as superior impact strength, strength at high temperatures, flame-retardant qualities, sterilization capability, and resistance to oils, gasoline, chemicals, and acids.
    "Polycarbonate is often used in bullet-proof applications," says Stratasys President Scott Crump. "It offers extreme impact strength. And many of today's plastic products are composed of Polycarbonate, ABS, PPSF, or blends of these. That's why we chose these materials for our new system. The Titan was developed in response to users performing more and more demanding functional tests on their prototypes. A car maker, for example, may want to create a prototype part and bolt it right onto the engine to get performance feedback under realistic operating conditions. There's a high value to that."
    Besides the three available materials, Titan's design anticipates the need for other materials in the future, and its platform will permit upgrading to them. Future material offerings will include a Polycarbonate/ABS blend, which is commonly used in applications such as computer cases, cell phones, and toys.
    Like all Stratasys equipment, the FDM Titan requires no special facilities or venting and involves no hazardous materials or by-products. Stratasys systems typically represent the lowest total cost of ownership among the major rapid prototyping suppliers. The Titan operates on Stratasys Insight software, which uses the Windows NT platform.

    Stratasys, Inc., Minneapolis, is a leader in rapid prototyping systems. The Company's patented fused deposition modeling (FDM(R)) process creates solid models directly from 3D CAD files, using ABS plastic, wax, elastomer, or polyester compounds. Stratasys provides machines for OEMs such as aerospace, automotive, technology, consumer, and medical product makers. According to the 1999 Wohlers Report on the state of the rapid prototyping and tooling industry, Stratasys has 27 percent of the world install base of RP systems. The report also said Stratasys installed more systems than any other manufacturer over the last three years combined.

    This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Introduction of new products, including the Titan, are subject to timely completion of development and timely manufacture, and the success of new products is subject to their operation in the field as well as customer acceptance. Other risks are detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC Reports, including the report on Form 10-Q for September 2000 and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

FDM Titan, Insight, and Stratasys are registered trademarks of Stratasys, Inc. Windows NT is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Attention Editors: If you wish to publish reader-contact information, please use: Toni Brown, info@stratasys.com, ph: 952.937.3000, toll-free: 1.888.480.3548, www.stratasys.com.