New Stratasys FDM Vantage X Rapid Prototyping System Offers Three More Material Options, Higher Resolution Than Previous Base Model

Stratasys says a new version of its popular FDM Vantage rapid prototyping systems, called the Vantage X, offers three more modeling material options and higher resolution than the previous base model, with a starting price of $99,000. Concurrent with this introduction, the base model FDM Vantage i price will be lowered, so the systems' starting prices will now range from $85,000 to $195,000.  Besides the standard polycarbonate (PC) and ABS plastic, the Vantage X offers a PC-ABS blend, PC-ISO, and ABSi options. ABSi offers improvements over standard ABS, including finer feature detail and surface finish smoothness. PC-ABS combines the strength of PC with the flexibility of ABS. And PC-ISO is a medical-grade plastic that meets ISO 10993 and USP Class VI material requirements.

The Vantage X can be ordered in either "A" or "P" configurations. The A configuration allows the use of ABS, ABSi, and PC-ABS. The P configuration allows the use of PC, PC-ISO, and PC-ABS. Material configuration options let users customize the machine to their specific application needs. Besides the new material options, the Vantage X offers a significant resolution upgrade for ABS, ABSi, and PC-ABS. The high resolution setting of 0.005 inch or "5 mil" (0.127 mm) gives users the option of excellent feature detail and surface finish smoothness in a thermoplastic part.

"It's a big deal to get these new material options and resolution in a machine starting at under $100,000," says product manager Patrick Robb. "Previously you would have had to purchase a much higher priced Vantage to get these features, and you still wouldn't have gotten ABSi. The Vantage has been a huge success for Stratasys. And this latest version brings sophisticated prototyping down to a price point easily justifiable by any serious development group."

The Vantage X is scheduled to start shipping in mid February.

Stratasys Inc., Minneapolis, makes rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems. Stratasys equipment is used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, and consumer products. In 2004, the company installed 36 percent of all systems sold worldwide, making it the unit market leader for the third consecutive year, according to Wohlers Report 2005. Stratasys patented the rapid prototyping process known as fused deposition modeling (FDM(R)). The process creates functional models directly from any 3D CAD program using ABS plastic, polycarbonate, PPSF or other materials. The company holds 175 granted or pending global prototyping patents. In addition to manufacturing products, Stratasys is the exclusive North American distributor of PolyJet rapid prototyping systems and Arcam rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems. On the Web: www.Stratasys.com