Stratasys Targets Enterprise With Hyper-Realistic-Capable Connex3 Printer

Three-D printing hardware company Stratasys has teamed up with Adobe to bring some of the most realistic, variable materials to the world of 3-D printing and prototyping with its Connex3 printer.

The large, commanding printer can vary material properties within one print job, blending new color capabilities, vivid textures and graphic elements added through Photoshop.

"We actually run three different materials through these machines at once, and we can mix those different materials – different colors, different hardness values, rubber-like materials -- to actually give you different mechanical properties in your end-use product,’ explained Stratsys engineer Tom Bonia.

Bonia said Stratasys, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., has targeted several industries with the Connex3: consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace.

However, with a price range of five to six figures, this machine is definitely built for the enterprise.

"We also have another technology, fuse-deposition technology, which ranges on the lower side. That's kind of the more known printer," said Bonia.

Stratasys has a global reseller and service provider program, the Partner First Program.