The interestingly-named Purple Platypus at Booth No. 3409 is not exactly what one would expect to see at a helicopter convention, but the Stratasys 3D printer certainly represents the latest technology. Purple Platypus is a distributor for Stratasys, manufacturer of what it says is the world’s first color and multi-material 3D printer, the Objet500 Connex 3.
What makes the Objet500 Connex 3 unique is “triple-jetting technology that combines droplets of three base materials,” according to Purple Platypus. In a single print run, the printer can make a part combining rigid, flexible and transparent color materials. “This ability to achieve the characteristics of an assembled part without assembly or painting is a significant time-saver. It helps product manufacturers validate designs and make good decisions earlier before committing to manufacturing, and bring products to market faster.”
The Stratasys printer can print objects using resin layers as fine as 16 microns, and the objects simulate the characteristics of high-performance thermoplastics for engineers needing to prototype and design complicated parts.