Included with the Fortus Line of Stratasys printers, Insight software gives you more power and customization over your projects. Insight controls the Fortus FDM printers from Stratasys. This includes the Fortus 250 as well as the 380mc, 450mc and 900mc Production Systems. Like Catalyst (the software that controls the uPrint and Dimension line of FDM printers), Insight will run in default mode for easy operation. We call this Green Flagging. However, Insight also has the ability to modify toolpaths which provides better appearance, improved strength and in some cases will speed up the printing process. For example two import functions of Insight are: the ability to fill air gaps and to reinforce features with contours. You can also modify geometry (add or remove) to accommodate for post-printing operations like milling, sanding, and drilling and tapping. This is also great for press-fit applications or where additional clearance is needed. Insight has the ability to mix solid and sparse fill patterns in the same part. The sparse patterns can also be optimized for applications like Thermoform tooling, paper pulp tooling, and more. Once you have come up with your optimal build patterns these parameters can be saved as templates for later re-use. At each layer, the [...]

CPI Aero is a Cimquest customer that manufactures aircraft assemblies. They started doing military work directly for the government, built a good reputation for themselves, and now they have recently branched off into commercial work. Daniel Gray, their program engineer, explains how 3D printing cut their lead time on most projects from months to hours. They can now take a complicated contour surface from the computer screen and bring it right into their hands in a relatively short timeframe. For some of the tools with very complicated contours (but limited in size) that they can 3D print, they have seen cost savings in the range of 80 - 90% versus quotes from local machine shops. They are using the Stratasys Fortus 360mc and feel that the Insight software that Stsratasys provides is extremely intuitive. Daniel feels that with any CAD experience at all behind you, Insight is very easy to pick up. Daniel explains how working with Cimquest has been seamless for him, from start of contract straight through training of both hardware and software. In only 6 months they have gone from buying things to printing their own. In as many cases as possible they are using 3D printed pieces as less expensive [...]

Five-year-old Mia Gonzalez has always suffered from breathing issues which limited her ability to function as a normal child. Doctors discovered a rare heart malformation known as double aortic arch. The condition causes restricted airflow due to the entanglement of an extra vascular ring around either the trachea or the esophagus. Often misdiagnosed as asthma, this serious condition requires a complex surgical procedure. Dr. Redmond Burke, Director of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and his team were faced with a difficult challenge: How could the surgical team separate the double aortic arch without causing additional harm to Mia? The solution was 3D printing. “By making a 3D model of her very complex aortic arch vessels, we were able to further visualize which part of her arch should be divided to achieve the best physiological result,” said Dr. Burke. “It’s very powerful when you show a family ‘this is your baby’s heart and this is how I’m going to repair it.” A happy and healthy five-year-old Mia holds a 3D printed replica of her heart 3D printed by Stratasys, which accurately shows the heart malformation that once caused debilitating symptoms. All too often, surgeons must rely on 2D scans or [...]

Composites Europe, which took place in September 2015 in Stuttgart, Germany, saw 3D printing provider, Stratasys, demonstrated how its additive manufacturing technology is transforming the face of manufacturing within the aerospace and automotive sectors. Showcasing a spectrum of prototype and production-parts, Stratasys invited visitors to witness how its engineered plastics are meeting the demand for lightweight parts with enhanced functionality across a multitude of aerospace and automotive applications. Recent Stratasys customer announcements highlighting these financial and manufacturing benefits include: Motor-racing team, Strakka Racing, which employed Stratasys FDM 3D printing technology throughout the design and manufacturing process on its S103 race-car. This comprised advanced prototyping to 3D printed production tools, as well as final 3D printed race-ready parts, which were produced significantly faster and cheaper than with traditional manufacturing methods. Global aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, which recently produced 1,000 FDM 3D printed flight parts across its A350 XWB program. 3D printed in Stratasys’ ULTEM 9085 thermoplastic, which is FST (flame, smoke, and toxicity) compliant for aircraft interior applications, the lightweight parts were used in place of traditionally manufactured components to increase supply chain flexibility, enabling Airbus to meet its delivery commitment on-time. “Composites Europe represents the ideal platform on which to demonstrate the manufacturing efficiencies achievable [...]