PolyJet is a powerful 3D printing technology that produces smooth, accurate parts, prototypes

and tooling. With microscopic layer resolution and accuracy down to 0.014 mm, it can produce
thin walls and complex geometries using the widest range of materials available with any
technology.

Benefits of PolyJet:

 Create smooth, detailed prototypes that convey final-product aesthetics.

 Produce accurate molds, jigs, fixtures and other manufacturing tools.
 Achieve complex shapes, intricate details and delicate features.
 Incorporate the widest variety of colors and materials into a single model for unbeatable
efficiency.

Tiny drops of liquid plastics. Jetted liquid polymers used with

What is FDM Technology?

FDM Technology works with specialized 3D printers and production-grade thermoplastics to
build strong, durable and dimensionally stable parts with the best accuracy and repeatability of
any 3D printing technology.

Stratasys founder Scott Crump invented FDM Technology more than 20 years ago, and Stratasys
has continued to lead the 3D printing revolution ever since.

Benefits of FDM:

 The technology is clean, simple-to-use and office-friendly

 Supported production-grade thermoplastics are mechanically and environmentally stable
 Complex geometries and cavities that would otherwise be problematic become practical
with FDM technology 

Industrial grade thermoplastics. Thermoplastics and support material are used in FDM.

During FDM printing, a coil of fine thermoplastic wound on a spool is heated and extruded in a
continuous bead of semi-molten material. Once deposited, it cools and solidifies to form a new layer –
just one of many that form the finished model.

In contrast to this technique, during Polyjet printing, after being jetted onto the subsequent layer,
the layers of liquid polymer are cured through exposure to ultraviolet light.

Fidelity and durability

FDM models are more robust than those created with Polyjet printing technology. Depending on
your choice of material, FDM models can also be made to withstand high temperatures and more
demanding working conditions and environments, making them more durable than Polyjet
models.

This is what Tyrtania had to say about FDM printing: “The result can often be stronger than a
Polyjet model, and where Polyjet parts can sometimes minutely change shape over time, an FDM
product will be more dimensionally stable.”

There are trade-offs however, the most obvious of which is the fact that the layer thickness used
by an FDM 3D printer isn’t as fine as with Polyjet printing. Due to this, Polyjet printing allows
for smoother surfaces on curves, slopes and gradients, whereas an FDM model may contain
visible layers. FDM printing is therefore better suited to printing parts that require mechanical
strength over aesthetic appeal.

Through the use of jetted liquid polymers, Polyjet technology boasts impressive product fidelity.
The process allows for high levels of final product realism, smooth surfaces and fine feature
details. Depending on the material, Polyjet parts can have a range or combination of properties
from rigid to flexible; full colour to clear; or even medical compatibility. This makes Polyjet the
favoured technology for concept and form models where the finished appearance is important,
such as consumer products and electronics.

Rubber-like 3D Printing Material

3D Printing with soft-touch material

Rubber-like 3D printing materials add a new dimension to 3D printing, allowing designers to

accurately simulate the pliability, flexibility and feel of a finished product without investing in a
rubber production process. They enable the design and testing of delicate parts that will undergo
repeated folding and flexing, and can be combined to create digital materials in a range of
colours.

Flexible results in a range of Shore A values, improved tear resistance and high tensile strength
make these materials ideal for rapid prototyping of non-rigid models, including:

 Exhibition and communication models

 Rubber surrounds and over-moulding
 Soft-touch coatings and non-slip surfaces
 Knobs, grips, pulls, handles, gaskets, seals, hoses and footwear
Despite their unique properties, they are employed in the same manner as any other material, so
existing skills are directly transferrable, and adding them to your workflow won’t incur any
expense above the cost of the materials themselves.

Rubber-like materials include:

 Agilus30 FLX935
 Agilus30 White FLX945
 Agilus30 Black FLX985
 Agilus30 Transparent FLX935
 TangoPlus FLX930
 TangoBlackPlus FLX980

The J-Series J735/J750 and J750 Digital Anatomy Printer (in non-DAP configuration) can all run
the above materials, with the exception of Agilus30 FLX935). This also applies to the
J826/J835/J850, but in addition they cannot run the Tango materials.

For semi-flexible 3D printed parts:

Where semi-flexibility is required (automotive tyres or footwear soles for example), the
following materials are recommended.

 TangoGray FLX930
 TangoBlack FLX973

Allowing for the creation of soft-touch parts, over-moulding, seals and gaskets, the Tango and
Agilus range of rubber-like materials are easy to clean, less sticky than alternative options, and
offer better elongation and higher tear resistance than rivals.

Agilus is durable, and ideal for advanced design verification and rapid prototyping, and
compatible with SUP706 soluble support for building more complex parts, or parts with deep
pockets or channels. The recently-added Agilus range is the most versatile rubber-like material
yet produced, and offers a 2.5 times improvement in tensile strength over anything previously
available.

You can combine rigid materials, like Rigur or Digital ABS, with flexible materials for complete
design freedom using a multi-material 3D printer such as the Objet260, Objet350 or Objet500 –
from the Connex3 range.  The combination of materials together will offer a Shore A value
ranging from 27 to 95.