Stratasys Rapid Prototyping Upgrades Increase Speed and Capacity; FDM Titan gets 54% Speed-up; FDM Vantage gets 150% Build Volume Increase

MINNEAPOLIS--Nov. 2, 20036, 2003-- Rapid prototyping system maker, Stratasys, announced significant upgrades for its T-Class platform. The FDM Titan's(TM) build speed will increase by 54 percent on average, and the FDM Vantage(TM) will receive an optional build volume increase of 150 percent and a doubling of its modeling material capacity.

The FDM Titan upgrade will be previewed December 3 - 6 at Frankfurt's annual Euromould show by Alphacam, Stratasys' German distributor. The Alphacam stand is in Hall 8.0, stand number L11 / M10. Upgrade kits will be available to equipment users in mid-December.

FDM TITAN UPGRADE: The FDM Titan upgrade will improve build speeds for all three supported materials - ABS, PPSF (Polyphenylsulfone), and PC (Polycarbonate). Model resolution is maintained even though the speed has increased. The amount of speed improvement depends on a number of factors, including material type, layer thickness, model geometry, model size, and support style. Not every combination of factors will result in a significant speed improvement. The larger the model size or layer thickness, the greater the speed improvement. Based on a multi-part suite of 12 to 18 parts built at a layer thickness of 0.010 inch (0.254 mm), the average build-speed increase for ABS, PPSF, and PC are 50, 30, and 55 percent respectively. The speed increases can reach as high as 125 percent with an overall average of 54 percent.

"In most cases, the Titan's build speed exceeds that of our fastest machine, the FDM Maxum," says product manager Patrick Robb, "And the part quality remains high."

The speed-improvement upgrade will become a standard feature on new Titans shipped beginning mid December.

FDM VANTAGE UPGRADE: The larger build chamber available for the FDM Vantage has a volume 150 percent greater than the existing one, allowing users to create larger prototypes. The chamber upgrade measures 16 x 14 x 16 in. (406.4 X 355.6 X 406.4 mm) compared with the existing chamber size of 14 x 10 x 10 in (355.6 x 254 x 254 mm). The upgraded canister bay will house two additional material canisters: one for modeling material (ABS or PC) and one for support material. When the first material canister is empty, an auto-changeover function will load the second canister and continue the build process automatically. This allows users to leave the machine unattended for long periods of time, unlike some rapid prototyping processes, which require ongoing attention.

The FDM Vantage was designed to allow this and future upgrades, such as new materials, which allow the machine to grow in capability as the user's needs expand, extending the life of the product and protecting the user's investment. The upgrade package will remain an optional purchase and will not become a standard feature on new systems shipped.

Both Titan and Vantage upgrades will require a field service visit to install new hardware and software. System users should contact their local sales representative for more details and pricing.

The FDM Titan and FDM Vantage are built on what the company calls its T-Class high-performance platform, which allows the use of high-temperature, high-performance engineering thermoplastics. Like all Stratasys FDM systems the T-Class machines require no special facilities or venting and involve no hazardous materials or by-products.

Stratasys Inc, Minneapolis, manufactured 31% of all rapid prototyping systems installed worldwide last year, the highest percentage of any manufacturer, according to Wohlers Report 2003. The company patented the rapid prototyping process known as fused deposition modeling (FDM(R)). The process creates solid models directly from 3D CAD files using ABS plastic, polycarbonate, PPSF or other materials. Stratasys manufactures rapid prototyping systems for OEMs such as aerospace, automotive, defense, consumer, and medical product makers.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Introduction of new products and materials 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 March 31, June 30, and Sept. 30, 2003 and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

FDM Vantage, is a trademark, and Stratasys is a registered trademark, of Stratasys, Inc.

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