3D Printer Designed for Convenience, Flexibility

Stratasys’ Fortus 250mc rapid prototyping and production machine is designed to combine the ease-of-use and affordability of the company’s Dimension 3D printers with the flexibility of its Fortus production systems. Fortus 3D printers are driven by Insight software, which enables users to control build speed, part accuracy and feature detail. Like all of the company’s additive manufacturing systems, the Fortus 250mc is based on the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process.

The printer features a 10" x 10" x 12" (254 x 254 x 305-mm) build envelope and a choice of three build layer options: 0.007", 0.010" and 0.013" (0.178, 0.254 and 0.33 mm). To create parts, the machine uses ABSplus thermoplastic, which is said to offer excellent mechanical proprieties, including impact, tensile, flex and bonding strength for tough, functional applications.

The printer uses Stratasys SR-30 soluble support material, which has a faster dissolve time than other soluble support materials, the company says.

Stratasys’ ABS-ESD7 material offers static dissipative properties for applications where a static charge can damage products, impair performance or cause an explosion. Unlike most thermoplastics, the material prevents a buildup of static electricity, so it cannot produce a static shock, the company says. The ESD material also eliminates the attraction and buildup of particulate, such as dust or powders, which can degrade product performance.

Primary applications include carriers and organizers for electrical components, fixtures for electronic component assembly, and production line and conveyor parts. Other applications include product design and validation for electronic product enclosures, electronics packaging material, and powder or mist conveying or dispensing.

ABS-ESD7 will run on Fortus 400mc and Fortus 900mc FDM systems. It is comparable in operation to its non-ESD counterpart, ABS-M30.