HP Strikes Deal With Stratasys, Will Market 3D Printers
January 19, 2010 - Hewlett-Packard and Stratasys of Minneapolis, MN, have struck a deal under which HP will market an HP-brand 3D printer to be released later this year. Stratasys 3D printer create three-dimensional plastic models directly from 3D digital designs, and are used in CAD (computer assisted design) and component-making. The printers cost upwards of $10,000, and are used by designers and architects--they're not for consumer use, at least not yet. The printers can produce an object measuring up to 8" x 6" x 6".
Stratasys 3D printer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Stratasys will develop and manufacture for HP an exclusive line of 3D printers based on Stratasys' patented Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology. HP will begin a phased rollout of the 3D printers in the mechanical design (MCAD) market in selected countries later this year, with the right to extend distribution globally.
Notes Stratasys Chairman and CEO Scott Crump, "We believe the time is right for 3D printing to become mainstream. We also believe that HP's unmatched sales and distribution capabilities and Stratasys FDM technology is the right combination to achieve broader 3D printer usage worldwide. HP has made a similar move in this market before, capturing a dominant position in large-format 2D printers. Together we hope to repeat this success with 3D printers."
Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager of HP's Large Format Printing Business, also noted, "There are millions of 3D designers using 2D printers who are ready to bring their designs to life in 3D. Stratasys FDM technology is the ideal platform for HP to enter the 3D MCAD printing market and begin to capitalize on this untapped opportunity."
HP's Graphic Solutions Business, which is part of HP's $24 billion Imaging and Printing Group, will execute the distribution agreement. HP markets Designjet and Scitex large-format printing solutions, Indigo digital solutions for commercial and industrial printing, ink-jet high-speed production solutions, and specialty printing systems.
Why 3D Printing?
Designers and architects that design with CAD use 3D printers to produce three-dimensional models from plastic or other material. The model is created directly from the CAD digital design. The models are used by designers, engineers and architects to verify the form, fit, and functional characteristics of their designs prior to committing those designs to production or construction.
The technology to produce 3D models directly from a digital design has been commercial for over 20 years, but recent advances in 3D printers have reduced their cost, and improved ease-of-use and reliability. Stratasys introduced its first Dimension 3D printer in 2002, priced under $30,000. Early last year, Stratasys broke the $15,000 barrier with its office-friendly uPrint 3D printer, which fits on a desktop.
Stratasys printers are based on the company's patented Stratasys FDM technology. FDM is the only technology to use high-performance industrial thermoplastics to make prototypes. Click on FDM Process for a video demonstration of the FDM process.