Polycarbonate Modeling From Stratasys Makes Impact With Trade Show Attendees; Show-Goers Drive Polycarbonate Golf-Ball Models At Golf-Simulator Booth

    MINNEAPOLIS--May 24, 2001--To demonstrate the impact strength of its new polycarbonate modeling material at the RP& M (Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing) show in Cincinnati last week, Stratasys invited attendees to hit polycarbonate golf-ball models built on the new FDM Titan(TM) rapid prototyping system, which was unveiled at the show.
    Participants were surprised to find the polycarbonate models held up at high impact and could be driven long distances. Paul Franer, a new-product-development engineer from Ilsco Corp in Cincinnati, drove a polycarbonate ball 250 yards and a regular ball 299 yards, winning a Palm Pilot in a longest-drive contest. Although the ball models withstood the test, the golf club heads became indented from striking the durable balls.
    Stratasys 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 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.
    The Titan's design anticipates the future need for other materials as well, and its platform will permit upgrading to them. The Titan is scheduled to ship commercially in the third quarter of this year.
    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 offers a CD ROM that demonstrates the benefits of modeling with the high-performance materials of the FDM Titan. To request a copy, send an e-mail request to info@stratasys.com or call 888-480-3548 and ask for Toni Brown.

    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.

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.