Objet to Demonstrate One-of-a-Kind, Multi-Material 3D Printing Applications at Rapid 2011

BILLERICA, Mass., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Objet Geometries Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, will be showcasing its unique multi-material 3D printers at Rapid, North America's definitive additive manufacturing event, in Minneapolis, from 23rd to the 26th of May, at booth 104. Objet's Connex multi-material 3D printers can rapidly build prototypes from a range of 65 materials and can create a single model with up to 14 individual material properties, enabling designers to simulate the true visual and functional characteristics of complexly assembled end-products.  

As part of the Rapid event showcase, examples of Objet's multi-material 3D printed models developed by service bureau Vista Technologies will be shown in Vista's booth (#105), from customers representing consumer electronics, consumer goods, medical device and other industries. Dr. Mike North, President of North Design Labs, LLC will also be giving a special presentation explaining how Objet's multi-material 3D printing technology is producing unique leg-brace prototypes made of both rigid and flexible elements within the same part, for treating children suffering from clubfoot.

According to Dr North, "The Objet Connex allows us to produce multiple prototypes with different durometers, all in a single print run, to test different designs and combinations of materials. Since our final products will be made of both injected molded soft and hard materials, we needed to be able to prototype complex geometries using various materials. Having access to this type of advancement in prototyping capabilities was essential to our innovation process, which ultimately led to a simplified, low-cost design that simply couldn't be achieved with any technology other than Objet."

By being able to rapidly print multiple prototypes, each with slightly different mechanical properties, North Design Labs are able not only to create a lower cost and potentially more effective design, but also get the brace into production much quicker: "The miraclefeet project is truly special for me and my team, as it not only brings a much needed solution to children with clubfoot, but also because the prototypes coming off Objet's Connex unique multi-material 3D printer provided us immediate feedback on where our design needed to go," added Dr. North.

"Until you actually see and hold an Objet 3D model printed in multiple materials, it's almost impossible to appreciate how far inkjet 3D printing has advanced," said Frank Marangell, President of Objet's U.S. Operations. "We are talking about the only technology on the market that can simulate the true look, feel and function of an assembled end-product. Our technology can precisely replicate even different mechanical and textural properties within a model, whether it's a leg brace with soft and hard elements, a mobile phone with soft keys and transparent screen, or a rigid shoe sole with rubber treads. I thank Dr. North for bringing this amazing story to the public and I invite everyone at Rapid to see with their own eyes 'true product realism' in action, and how this is solving real-business design issues and bringing products to market faster for many of the world's leading companies."

Objet will also be showcasing its new Objet ABS-like Digital Material (RDG5160-DM), able to simulate the high temperature resistance and toughness of ABS-grade engineering plastics and Objet's transparent clear material (Objet VeroClear), ideal for testing and visualizing see-through parts, liquid flows, eye-wear, medical applications, lighting covers and cases and more.  

Objet's entire product portfolio will be represented at the booth (#104), including the Objet Connex350 multi-material 3D printer, Objet Eden260V professional 3D printer and Objet24 affordable desktop 3D printer. Also on display will be a range of Objet printed models and parts from various industries ranging from consumer goods and electronics to medical devices and the automotive sector.

About Objet Geometries

Objet Geometries Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, provides 3-dimensional printing systems that enable manufacturers and industrial designers to reduce cost of product development and dramatically shorten time-to-market of new products.

Objet's ultra-thin-layer, high-resolution 3-dimensional printing systems and materials utilize PolyJet polymer jetting technology, to print ultra-thin 16-micron layers. The market-proven Objet Eden line of 3D Printing Systems and the Objet24, Objet30, and Objet Alaris30 3D desktop printers are based on Objet's patented office-friendly PolyJet Technology. The Objet Connex multi-material family is based on Objet's PolyJet Matrix Technology, which jets multiple model materials simultaneously and creates composite Digital Materials on the fly. All Objet systems use Objet's FullCure® materials to create accurate, clean, smooth, and highly detailed 3D parts.

Objet systems are in use by customers worldwide, including Fortune 100 companies, in multiple industries such as Dental, Medical, Medical Devices, Education, Consumer Electronics, Automotive, toys, consumer goods, and footwear industries.

Founded in 1998, Objet serves its growing global customer base through offices in USA, Mexico, Europe, Japan, China and Hong Kong, and a global network of distribution partners. Objet owns more than 50 patents and patent pending inventions. For more information, visit us at www.objet.com.

© 2010 Objet, Quadra, QuadraTempo, PolyJet, FullCure, SHR, Eden, Eden250, Eden260, Eden 260V, Eden330, Eden350, Eden350V, Eden500V, Job Manager, Objet Studio, CADMatrix, Connex, Connex350, Connex500, Alaris, Alaris30, PolyLog, TangoBlack, TangoGray, TangoPlus, TangoBlackPlus, VeroBlue, VeroWhite, VeroBlack, VeroGray, Durus, Digital Materials, Polyjet Matrix and ObjetGreen are trademarks or registered trademarks of Objet Geometries Ltd. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners. 

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