Stratasys to Offer Rapid Tooling Technology
MINNEAPOLIS--April 17, 2002--Rapid prototyping system maker, Stratasys, today announced it will begin selling rapid tooling technology in North America. It has signed an agreement with MK Technology, GmbH, Germany to be the exclusive selling organization of its vacuum casting system, which allows users to produce short runs of parts from silicon molds.
The casting process uses a rapid prototype as a pattern to create a mold. With the mold, parts can be made in just a few hours. Users can choose from a spectrum of resins to suit their end-product properties. This "soft-tool" process eliminates the need for an expensive steel machine tool during the test-pilot stage.
The vacuum casting process will be demonstrated at the Stratasys booth (# 401) during the Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Conference in Cincinnati, April 30 to May 2.
Partnering with Stratasys and MK Technology, is The Axson Group, which will supply the resins, training, and molding expertise from its Detroit offices. Headquartered in France, The Axson Group has provided polymers to the aeronautics, automotive, consumer goods, and other major industries since the 1930s.
Stratasys, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA is the second largest manufacturer of rapid prototyping systems. The company's patented fused deposition modeling (FDM(R)) process creates solid models directly from 3D CAD files using polycarbonate, ABS plastic, wax, or other materials. Stratasys serves OEMs such as aerospace, automotive, military, consumer, and medical product makers. According to Wohlers Report 2000 on the state of the rapid prototyping industry, Stratasys has installed more rapid prototyping systems over the last 5 years than any other manufacturer.
MK Technology, GmbH, Bonn, Germany manufactures Vacuum Casting systems for rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, and RTV applications. Founded in 1993, MK Technology's systems are used to make "soft tools" for short runs of prototypes. The technology typically saves users 90 percent of the cost to build a traditional steel machine tool. Users include major automobile makers, such as DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, and Volkswagon.
The Axson Group, Saint-Ouen l'Aumone, France, formulates, manufactures, and distributes resins (such as polyurethanes, epoxies, and silicones) as well as high-tech composite materials for advanced applications. It distributes products in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and it is the European market leader. Axson serves four general markets: Modeling/prototyping/tooling; Composites; Adhesives; and Electrical/Electronics. Axson North America is located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
Attention Editors: The contact at the bottom of this release is an editorial contact only. 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.