It’s been the worst-kept secret in the 3D printing industry, but Stratasys has finally launched its full colour Connex printer – the Objet500 Connex3.
Similar to a standard 2D CMYK inkjet printer, three color materials are combined to produce hundreds of vivid colors – joining Stratasys’ extensive range of PolyJet photopolymer ‘digital’ materials.
Already the most versatile printer on the market, the Connex, through digitally mixing materials and selecting shore values, offers mixes of rigid, rubber-like, transparent, and high temperature materials.
Testing has been well underway for the last 12 months, with DEVELOP3D favourites Jason Lopes at Legacy Effects and the UK’s Gary Miller at IPF printing a plethora of rainbow-coloured pieces in VeroCyan, VeroMagenta and VeroYellow.
In Paris in 2012, the artist Neri Oxman publicly showcased some colour 3D printed works using the Connex multi-material technology.
Announcing the launch at SolidWorks World in San Diego, Stratasys CEO David Reis, said: “Stratasys’ goal is to help our customers revolutionize their design and manufacturing processes.
“I believe our new Objet500 Connex3 Color Multi-material 3D Printer will transform the way our customers design, engineer and manufacture new products. In general and with the Connex technology in particular, we will continue to push the envelope of what’s possible in a 3D world.”
Stratasys also announced six palettes for new rubber-like Tango colors, ranging from opaque to transparent colors in various shore values, expected to be commercially available in Q2/2014.
Stratasys will be launching the Objet Connex3 in the UK at DEVELOP3D LIVE on 15 April. To attend for free and get a hands-on look at the technology and its output register here.
