Stratasys and Dassault Systèmes partner to improve performance of additively manufactured 3D production parts

LOS ANGELES. Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS), a 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company in Eden Prarie, Minnesota, is partnering with Dassault Systèmes, developer of 3D design, 3D digital mock-up, and product lifecycle management software, to provide next-generation design tools that improve the functionality, efficiency, and weight ratio of additively manufactured production parts.

The weight of this Stratasys 3D printed circuit box for space applications was reduced by 30% using SIMULIA design optimization (Photo: Business Wire)

The companies have collaborated on design and simulation capabilities for Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform which support Stratasys’ FDM 3D printers and materials. These new capabilities include:

Design optimization for lighter weight parts -- 3D printed in a fused deposition modeling process (FDM), using less material than a traditional manufacturing technology to achieve the same performance. Weight savings increase efficiency and reduce cost beyond what is possible with traditional manufacturing processes.

Strength and fatigue analysis that gives the confidence to expand applications for load-bearing 3D printed FDM parts and provide the tools needed to support part qualification.

Print process simulation providing further insights into the residual stresses and performance of the 3D printed FDM part.

“For additive manufacturing to reach its true potential, engineers need tools that will allow them to harness the virtually limitless geometric freedom that it provides. By fully simulating the unique characteristics of the FDM process, we’re able to bring unprecedented accuracy and speed to the design and validation process,” says Scott Berkey, CEO, SIMULIA, Dassault Systèmes.

“Stratasys shares Dassault Systèmes’ vision for a fully integrated, end-to-end design to additive manufacturing solution. This partnership brings Stratasys one step closer to that vision with high-performance simulation tools that accurately represent the fused deposition model process,” says Stratasys Senior VP Global Software Jon Stevenson. “We believe the solution’s predictive capabilities and efficient workflow will significantly expand the range of parts that can be confidently produced with Stratasys FDM-based 3D printing solutions. These are already being used to create production parts by companies like United Launch Alliance.”

A long-time member of the SOLIDWORKS Partner Program, Stratasys is also announcing a GrabCAD Print Add In for SOLIDWORKS. It enables the user to estimate and print parts without leaving the SOLIDWORKS environment, making 3D printing on Stratasys systems accessible to the entire community of SOLIDWORKS design and engineering professionals. Functions include material selection, slice height selection, part orientation, automatic layout, and more.

For more than 25 years, Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) has been a defining force and dominant player in 3D printing and additive manufacturing – shaping the way things are made. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Rehovot, Israel, the company empowers customers across a broad range of vertical markets by enabling new paradigms for design and manufacturing. The company’s solutions provide customers with unmatched design freedom and manufacturing flexibility – reducing time-to-market and lowering development costs, while improving designs and communications. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the Stratasys ecosystem includes 3D printers for prototyping and production; a wide range of 3D printing materials; parts on-demand via Stratasys Direct Manufacturing; strategic consulting and professional services; and the Thingiverse and GrabCAD communities with over 2 million 3D printable files for free designs. With more than 2,700 employees and 1,200 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents, Stratasys has received more than 30 technology and leadership awards.

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