MakerBot, a global leader in 3D printing and subsidiary of Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS), continues to rapidly expand its METHOD materials portfolio with PC-ABS and PC-ABS FR. The addition of these two new materials brings the number of MakerBot materials for METHOD to 10, underscoring the company’s efforts to deliver a wider range of industrial-grade solutions to open more additive manufacturing applications for engineers.
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PC-ABS (polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) has high heat resistant properties and high tensile strength, which make it optimal for use across automotive, rail, and electronics industries. PC-ABS FR is a flame-retardant material that meets the UL-94 V0 standard, an important fire safety specification. The materials are ideal for applications such as automotive and rail parts, LCD panels, appliances, electronics enclosures, handles, adapters and chargers, portable handheld devices, and cosmetic covers. The addition of polycarbonate to ABS delivers higher impact strength and heat resistance than the standard ABS material, and is used frequently in injection molding.
PC-ABS prints more successfully with an enclosed heated chamber, consistently delivering high-quality parts. Parts printed on a desktop 3D printer with only a heated build plate are susceptible to temperature variations that can cause part deformation and lower part strength. MakerBot increased METHOD X’s maximum enclosed chamber temperature at the build plane from 100°C to up to 110°C to ensure superior part accuracy and interlayer adhesion.
“With its excellent thermal and mechanical properties, PC-ABS is a widely-used engineering material for applications that require high impact and heat resistance. METHOD X is the only printer in its price class with a heated chamber that reaches up to 110°C on the build plane, making it ideal for printing PC-ABS,” said Johan-Till Broer, VP of Product Development, MakerBot. “PC-ABS is another example of METHOD’s ability to support real engineering-grade materials that print more successfully with a heated chamber. As a result, this improves the success rate and efficiency of the prototyping process, reducing time to market for new products.”
As end use, injection molded parts are commonly made of PC-ABS, it is important for engineers to prototype their designs with a material as close to their end use part as possible. This is especially critical for functional prototyping to ensure the prototype checks are representative. Combined with METHOD’s industrial 3D printing features, PC-ABS enables engineers to achieve parts with high dimensional accuracy and repeatability. The material can also be printed with SR-30 soluble supports, allowing customers to produce complex geometries with intricate or deep internal cavities or overhangs.
MakerBot has an extensive offering of engineering-grade materials for the METHOD platform, which also includes ABS, ASA Nylon, PETG, Tough, PLA, SR-30, PVA and a diverse host of qualified third-party materials from leading filament suppliers.
PC-ABS and PC-ABS FR are expected to ship beginning in May 2020, and will be available in black.
For more information, visit www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/materials/method-materials/.
About MakerBot
MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), is a global leader in the 3D printing industry. The company helps create the innovators of today and the businesses and learning institutions of the future. Founded in 2009 in Brooklyn, NY, MakerBot strives to redefine the standards for 3D printing for reliability, accessibility, precision, and ease-of-use. Through this dedication, MakerBot has one of the largest install bases in the industry and also runs Thingiverse, the largest 3D printing community in the world.
We believe there’s an innovator in everyone, so we make the 3D printing tools that make your ideas matter. Discover innovation with MakerBot 3D printing.
To learn more about MakerBot, visit makerbot.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statement
The statements in this press release relating to Stratasys’ and/or MakerBot’s beliefs regarding the benefits consumers will experience from the MakerBot PC-ABS and ABS-FR materials are forward-looking statements reflecting management’s current expectations and beliefs. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that is, by its nature, subject to rapid and even abrupt change. Due to the risks and uncertainties associated with Stratasys’ business, actual results could differ materially from those projected or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that consumers will not perceive the benefits of the MakerBot PC-ABS and ABS-FR materials to be the same as Stratasys and/or MakerBot does; the risk that unforeseen technical difficulties will delay the availability and/or shipping of the MakerBot PC-ABS and ABS-FR materials; the risk that sales of the MakerBot PC-ABS and ABS-FR materials will be adversely impacted by reduced economic activity in worldwide markets as a result of the coronavirus outbreak; and other risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Stratasys’ most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 26th, 2020. Stratasys and MakerBot are under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
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