Stratasys Fortus 380mc
Stratasys Fortus 380mc
Shipping of Stratasys’ Fortus 380mc machine has commenced four months after it was launched at RAPID + TCT 2018 in Fort Worth, TX.
The machine is most notable for its ability to print parts in carbon fibre-filled Nylon 12. It went somewhat under the radar upon its introduction in April as it was previewed amongst an array of other technology launches, including Jigs and Fixtures for GrabCAD Print, an advanced J750 platform, and some more details on the company’s impending metal 3D printing machine.
Stratasys has brought the platform to market in direct response to the requirements within industry. The company cites the U.S. Department of Energy and Team Penske among the organisations that have encouraged the company to make printing with carbon fibre-filled materials easier and more affordable. Previously, Stratasys has offered a carbon fibre-filled composite, but only on its high-end production machines in the $200-350k range. The 380mc costs just $70k.
“Our customers are pushing us for easier access to carbon fibre,” commented Pat Carey, Stratasys Senior Vice President of Sales. “They’ve told us they want an affordable solution but in a reliable, industrial-quality system. So we’re now offering a more accessible system that’s based on our Fortus 380mc platform. Because the 380mc CFE is dedicated only to carbon-fibre-filled Nylon 12 and one other material, we’re able to currently offer it at the lowest price for any of our industrial printers.”
The U.S. Department of Energy considers carbon fibre reinforced polymers ‘clean energy technologies’, those that reduce energy consumption, and it is estimated that each 10% reduction in vehicle mass gives an increase of up to 8% increase in fuel economy. It makes sense, then, for Team Penske to have pushed for a printing system dedicated to this kind of composite material too.
Team Penske uses FDM to produce prototypes and end-use parts from carbon fibre-filled Nylon 12 composite material, an example of which can be found in a mirror housing developed for its NASCAR race teams. These designs are customised for each of its Cup Series drivers and using FDM printing and the composite material, Team Penske produces lightweight housings with high impact resistance and high stiffness.
Stratasys anticipates more companies in the automotive sector adopting the Fortus 380mc, with interest expected in the aerospace, sporting equipment, marine, medical, and oil and gas fields too. The machine has been based on the company’s successful Fortus series of machines which use the FDM process invented by co-founder, Scott Crump. It can build parts in 0.010 in. layer thickness, is compatible with ASA thermoplastic, and has a build chamber of 355 x 305 x 305 mm.
The company’s Nylon 12CF material, meanwhile, is similar to identical products in the injection moulding industry, in that it is 35% chopped carbon fibre by weight. Per Stratasys, it is four times stronger than competitively priced alternative materials in the X and Y axes, and maintains mechanical properties at a 40% higher temperature. Parts printed in the material don’t typically exhibit ‘appreciable warpage or shrinkage’ and hold to a tight tolerance.
Stratasys will be showcasing the Fortus 380mc machine at its IMTS Booth, #431600, between September 10 – 15 2018.
