CAD/CAM/CAE
Solutions2) How does the Dimension® process work?
3) How does 3D Printing fit into the design process?
4) How durable is ABS?
5) Is post-processing required?
6) Are there any special facility requirements necessary to install a Dimension system?
7) Can more than one user process files and print parts on Dimension?
8) Where can I see a Dimension system?
9) What workstation operating system is required to run the system?
10) How can I get software upgrades?
11) Are colored materials available?
12) Why are so many designers choosing Dimension 3D Printers?
1) What is 3D Printing?
Listen to industry expert Terry Wohlers of Wohlers Associates, Inc. describe 3D printing.
Click Here (3.9 megabytes).
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2) How does the Dimension
process work?
Based on the patented Stratasys FDM®
process, Dimension builds functional
3D models from the bottom up, one
layer at a time of with tough,
durable acrylnitrile butadene
styrene (ABS) plastic.
STL files
are imported into Catalyst® software
which automatically slices and
orients the parts and creates any
necessary support structures. The
software automatically plots a
precise deposition path for
Dimension to follow. ABS plastic (in
filament form within auto-loading
cartridges) is fed into an extrusion
head, heated to a semi-liquid state
and accurately deposited in layers
as fine as 0.010-inch (0.254 mm)
thick. After completion of the
build, support structures are simply
removed.
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ABS plastic is
heated to a semi-liquid
state and deposited in
thin layers by a
patented extrusion head.
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Catalsyt software
automatically determines
when and where to
deposit ABS or support
material throughout the
build process.
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3) How does 3D Printing fit
into the design process?
For a growing segment of designers
that depend on 3D solid CAD, the
Dimension 3D Printer is quickly
becoming an essential extension of
their overall CAD system and a
critical part of the entire design
process.
•
Accelerating Time to Market
- the Dimension 3D Printer
helps organizations shorten design
and development cycles and
ultimately get products to market
more quickly by enabling users to
easily fine tune design and explore
multiple design iterations.
•
Generating Bottom-Line Savings
- by enabling a highly
collaborative and efficient design
process, Dimension has helped
organizations significantly lower
production costs, reduce expensive
revisions late in the development
cycle and ensure products' gross
profit potential.
• Enhancing
Communication and Collaboration
- Dimension helps bring ideas
off the flat screen and produces
functional 3D models that can be
easily shared, critiqued, and
improved. Dimension also allows
designers to easily communicate a
design's true features to key
audiences, including management,
marketing, vendors and customers.
• Creating
Better Designs - with
desktop access to the Dimension 3D
Printer, designers are no longer
limited in the number of 3D models
they can produce and test, resulting
in more creative designs and better
final products.
• Ensuring
Confidentiality
- Dimension eliminates the
need to exchange confidential design
files with service providers,
allowing companies to maintain
product confidentiality and control.
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4) How durable is ABS?
Unlike appearance prototypes
produced in weak materials,
Dimension parts built in ABS (acrylnitrile
butadene styrene) have been used for
functional and field tests - from
wind tunnel testing to camera mounts
on a M1A Bradley tank and a spray
gun running at 60 psi.
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5) Is post-processing
required?
Once a model is removed from the
build chamber, simply remove the
model from the build foundation and
break away any support structures.
No further post-processing is
required and the model will retain
its shape and accuracy indefinitely.
ABS parts can be sanded, milled,
drilled, tapped, painted and even
electro-plated.
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6) Are there any special
facility requirements necessary to
install a Dimension system?
No. Dimension is designed for use in
the office. The system operates
quietly and there are no noxious
fumes or toxic materials that
require venting and/or special
handling.
We do recommend a 20A dedicated
circuit and a cabinet or stand that
adequately supports the system at
300#.
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7) Can more than one user
process files and print parts on
Dimension?
Yes. Dimension is a network device.
Catalyst™ software comes with a site
license so you decide who (and how
many) users may process files and
send parts to the system.
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8) Where can I see a
Dimension system?
Check our News and Events section to
see a listing of upcoming shows and
seminars. To learn more
Click Here.
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9) What workstation
operating system is required to run
the system?
Catalyst software operates on
Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
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10) How can I get software
upgrades?
Software upgrades are automatically
sent to all customers covered under
our warranty and maintenance
agreements.
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11) Are colored materials
available?
Yes. Standard ABS colors are white,
red, blue, green, gray, yellow and
red. Custom colors may be ordered.
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12) Why are so many
designers choosing Dimension 3D
Printers?
There is tremendous demand among
designers in multiple industries for
an easy, office-friendly and
cost-effective way to produce
quality, durable 3D models that can
be used to evaluate design concepts
and test functionality.
In 2002, 50% of all rapid
prototyping machines shipped were 3D
printers.
Priced starting at $18,900,
Dimension is the first 3D printer to
provide a true extension to 3D solid
CAD by bringing designers desktop
accessibility to functional,
high-quality, 3D models at an
affordable price. Listen to Terry
Wohlers talk about the value of 3D
printing:
Click Here (6.4 megabytes).
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