Stratasys Introduces New FORTUS 3D Production Systems

By DE Editors

Recognizing the growing market strength of its high-end FDM systems, Stratasys is branding FORTUS 3D Production Systems. The company has seen revenue growth for these high-end systems and a growing percentage of the business going to direct-digital manufacturing applications compared to traditional rapid prototyping.

“Rapid prototyping still remains our customers’ largest application,” says Fortus vice president of International Sales and Marketing,  Woody Frost, “but direct digital manufacturing has become the fastest growing revenue source at Stratasys – even faster than 3D printing.

“Since Stratasys introduced Dimension and RedEye as individual brands several years ago, there has been some confusion about the identity of our flag-ship product line. Informally it has been called the FDM Group or the High-End Systems line. By branding this line as Fortus, we aim to give it a distinct and powerful brand name.”

Direct digital manufacturing (DDM) refers to the ability to make production parts directly from 3D CAD files. The market has been growing as manufacturers seek faster and less expensive alternatives to traditional methods of production for short-runs of parts or manufacturing.

Wohlers Associates, a consulting firm focused on rapid product development, estimated that over the last five years the direct digital manufacturing market grew from about 4%to nearly 15% of the additive fabrication market. In 2008, Fortus system revenues from DDM applications were more than double that percentage at about 35%. DDM is believed to be a $170 million market, according to Wohlers Associates.

The Fortus product line comprises four systems with build envelopes ranging from 768 cubic inches to more than 31,000 cubic inches. All can produce parts from production-grade thermoplastics, direct from CAD files,  making them effective for either precision prototyping or direct digital manufacturing applications.

For more information, visit Stratasys.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.