Stratasys 3D Printing Technology Helps Top Special Effects Company Secure Leading Rolein Guardians of the Galaxy

Stratasys 3D Printing Technology Helps Top Special Effects Company Secure Leading Rolein Guardians of the Galaxy

MINNEAPOLIS and REHOVOT, Israel, October 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --



3D printing revolutionizes production of costumes and props for FBFX Ltd, thanks to
high quality, precision detail and fast-turnaround times



Stratasys Ltd [http://www.stratasys.com ]. (Nasdaq:SSYS), a global leader of 3D
printing and additive manufacturing solutions, today announced that its Objet Connex
technology has played a starring role in one of this year's biggest movie blockbusters,
through its continued use by leading movie costumes and props specialists, FBFX Ltd.



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(Photo:
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(Photo:
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FBFX Ltd was part of the team behind the off-beat science fiction adventure movie,
Guardians of the Galaxy, a role which saw it create various 3D printed pieces including
the entire 'armor' outfit for the character, Korath, played by Djimon Hounsou. According
to Grant Pearmain, director of costume and props at FBFX, this was produced almost
entirely using Stratasys' Objet500 Connex
[http://C:\Users\Michael.Swack\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary InternetFiles\Content.Outlook\WS6LXZT8\Stratasys%E2%80%99 Objet500 Connex ]
technology and
represents the first time the company has produced a fully 3D printed costume worn in a
movie.



The same Objet500 Connex technology was employed to produce the memorable Star Lord
helmet worn by lead-actor, Chris Pratt. Several prototype versions were 3D printed, as
well as vacuum-cast versions created from a 3D printed mold. The actual prop worn in the
movie featured 3D printed interior and exterior detailing using Stratasys' VeroGray
material.



Scene-stealing benefits



According to Pearmain, 3D printing technology has moved things to a new dimension for
his company, specifically in quality and turnaround times in comparison to traditional
methods involving model makers working with clay. Underscoring the rapid advance of
digital technology within FBFX's operations, the company now utilizes 3D printing in 90%
it's projects - a leap from a mere 10% around only three or four years ago.



"Quite simply, Stratasys' PolyJet technology delivers a level of quality with precise
detail that is better than anything else available. We no longer have to contend with
repeatability issues like variations in skill level from one craftsman to another - we
know exactly what the 3D printed piece will look like, regardless of how many pieces we're
producing," he explains.



Workflow times slashed by half



"All told, we're saving at least 50% on lead times, a precious commodity when working
on a film, as there's never enough time. This faith in the 3D printed piece and the speed
at which we can have it in our hands, also gives us the flexibility and confidence to
regularly experiment and to try new things - something we've not always had the time to
do," he continues.



These time savings have allowed Pearmain and his team to go from design to virtually
completed, accurate prototypes in a few days, as opposed to a few weeks. FBFX can now show
highly-detailed pieces to production companies much more quickly than using traditional
methods, while also rapidly turning around pieces in response to directors' sudden demands
for camera tests.



Seamless transatlantic workflow and collaboration



For Pearmain, the capability of 3D printing to allow different teams in different
countries to work on the same project, further demonstrates its process-enhancing
benefits: "We will often receive digital files from concept designers in Los Angeles that
we finalize and 3D print via our service bureau IPF, with whom we've collaborated on a
number of major motion pictures," he explains. "Similarly, we might send concept files to
the team there to tweak and return for outputting here, so it's all about a fast, seamless
operation that again helps us save time."



Simon Brandon, UK Marketing Manager at Stratasys, believes that from a technological
aspect, deploying 3D printing within this particular field of use offers a number of new
benefits previously beyond the reach of companies like FBFX.



"The high quality and precision detail achievable from our 16 micron layer
PolyJet-based 3D printers ensures fully-functional props with unprecedented realism, which
together with the printers' high print speeds, fulfill two of the foremost prerequisites
demanded by companies like FBFX," he concludes.



Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rehovot,
Israel, is a leading global provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions.
The company's patented FDM(R), PolyJet(TM), and WDM(TM) 3D Printing technologies produce
prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems
include 3D printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital manufacturing.
Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the company operates a
digital-manufacturing service, comprising RedEye, Harvest Technologies and Solid Concepts.
Stratasys has more than 2500 employees, holds over 600 granted or pending additive
manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 25 awards for its technology
and leadership. Online at: http://www.stratasys.com or http://blog.stratasys.com




Stratasys Media Contacts
USA
Aaron Masterson
Weber Shandwick
Tel. +1-952-346-6258
AMasterson@webershandwick.com

Asia Pacific
Stratasys AP
Janice Lai / Frances Chiu
Tel. +852-3944-8818
Janice.lai@stratasys.com
Frances.Chiu@stratasys.com

Brazil
Tatiana Fonseca
GAD Communications
Tel: +55-11-3846-9981
tatiana@gadcom.com.br

Europe
Jonathan Wake / Miguel Afonso
UK Bespoke
Tel: +44-1737-215200
stratasys@bespoke.co.uk

Japan
Stratasys Japan
Aya Yoshizawa
Tel. +81-90-6473-1812
Aya.yoshizawa@stratasys.com

Mexico
Stratasys Mexico
Thibault Leroy
Tel. +52 1 (55) 4866-0800
thibault.leroy@stratasys.com

Stratasys
Arita Mattsoff / Joe Hiemenz
Stratasys
Tel. +972(0)74-745-4000 (IL)
Tel. +1-952-906-2726 (US)
arita@stratasys.com
joe.hiemenz@stratasys.com

Korea
Stratasys Korea
Jihyun Lee
Tel. +82-2-2046-2287
jihyun.lee@Stratasys.com




Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141029/713468-a



http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141029/713468-b



http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141029/713468-c


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141029/713468-a
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141029/713468-b
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141029/713468-c
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Stratasys Ltd.


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