Multi-Color, Multi-Material 3D Printers Enhanced

Stratasys Ltd. has enhanced its Objet Connex3 series of multi-color, multi-material 3D printers with color technology from Adobe Systems. This enhancement, says Stratasys, makes additive manufacturing technology more accessible to more users and offers such improvements as a simplified and direct design-to-3D-print workflow, greater ease of use and expanded color spectrum.

These “before and after” color palettes demonstrate the increase in colors available with an Objet Connex3 series 3D printer running Stratasys Creative Colors software. Image courtesy of Stratasys Ltd. and Business Wire.

The company says that the foundation of its enhanced Objet Connex3 series is its new Stratasys Creative Colors software. Stratasys Creative Colors software leverages the Adobe 3D Color Print Engine and directly links Adobe’s Photoshop CC (Creative Cloud) imaging and design toolset. According to Stratasys, the Objet Connex3 series, which comprises the Objet260 Connex3, Objet350 Connex3 and the Objet500 Connex3 models, is currently the only 3D printer series that benefits from Adobe color management.

The Stratasys Creative Colors solution combines advanced color management with a simplified and direct design-to-3D print workflow, according to Stratasys. It’s described as providing users with vibrant gradient color palettes with an expanded color spectrum, textures and patterns support, as well as accurate color previews.

The design-to-3D print workflow can also be used with the Stratasys Direct Manufacturing parts-on-demand service. When using the Adobe-Stratasys Direct Manufacturing 3D printing connection, users have such additional features as direct quoting, validation and previewing. The Objet500 Connex3 model 3D printer also offers a seamless design-to-3D print workflow for users of PTC Creo CAD software.

This working prototype of a stereo speaker was produced on an Objet Connex3 series 3D printer using Stratasys Creative Colors software, which leverages the Adobe 3D color print engine. Image courtesy of Stratasys Ltd. and Business Wire.

Stratasys also released two new polymer materials for its Objet Connex3 series 3D printers, Vero PureWhite and VeroCyan. A rigid, opaque white, Vero PureWhite offers 20% more brightness and UV resistance than its current VeroWhite material, according to Stratasys. VeroCyan has been improved with a brighter, more vibrant appearance that, says Stratasys, makes it ideal as a standalone material.

“Stratasys is committed to enabling wide adoption of 3D printing, stimulating unprecedented creativity, new flexibility and dramatic innovation,” said Josh Claman, chief business officer at Stratasys, in a press statement. “[We’re] teaming with Adobe to take this vision additional steps forward, ensuring 3D printing is easier and more attainable. The Objet Connex3 is the only 3D printer on the market with the power to merge multiple materials and colors into one system alongside a highly streamlined and integrated workflow.”

An Objet Connex3 series 3D printer made this prototype of a hair trimmer using Stratasys Creative Colors software. Image courtesy of Stratasys Ltd. and Business Wire.

Stratasys Creative Colors is now bundled with all new Objet Connex3 series 3D printers and can also be purchased by users of existing Objet Connex3 systems. For more information, visit Stratasys.

Read more about Stratasys Creative Colors software here.

Subscribe to our FREE magazine,
FREE email newsletters or both!

Join over 90,000 engineering professionals who get fresh engineering news as soon as it is published.

  Join Now