Stratasys has launched its Continuous Build 3D Demonstrator multi-cell additive manufacturing platform for low-volume, continuous production.
The Continuous Build 3D Demonstrator is a modular unit that has multiple 3D print cells working together through a central, cloud-based architecture. The platform is designed to create parts in a continuous manner with very little minor operator intervention. The system automatically ejects parts when completed and begins creating new ones.
Stratasys’ 3D print cells can do their own jobs individually for mass customization of projects. The platform’s flexibility allows for more cells to be added as production capacity needs to be increased. It also has automatic queue management, load balancing and architecture redundancy. If one of the print cells fails, the project will move to the next available cell.
The Continuous Build 3D Demonstrator is intended for use with education RP labs and in environments that can benefit from zero tooling production and zero inventory supply chain.
“The Stratasys Continuous Build 3D Demonstrator is an important milestone in the company’s long-term vision to make additive manufacturing a viable solution for volume production environments,” said Stratasys co-founder and chief innovation officer Scott Crump in a press release. “It combines our FDM print quality, GrabCAD control and monitoring, and a new multi-cell, scalable architecture to create a breakthrough manufacturing platform.”
So far, the technology has been used with a number of businesses for a variety of different things including the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), In’Tech Industries, and Fathom. It has been used for advanced manufacturing to create a greater volume of FDM parts with a shorter lead-time at Fathom, expanding 3D printing offerings to create bridge-to-production solutions for OEM customers at In’Tech Industries and for 3D printing services at SCAD.
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