The current F123 Series 3D printers from global giant Stratasys are already popular shop-floor FDM machines, churning out prototypes and fixtures worldwide, but something was missing. Two new extensions of the F123 series aim to fill that gap providing, what Stratasys says, is an easier-to-print experience for advanced engineering-grade materials.
With the introduction this week of the F190CR and F370CR 3D printers (CR stands for composite-ready), Stratasys debuts features it says will enable manufacturers and industrial machinists to move beyond product prototypes and 3D print end-use parts, such as jigs, fixtures, and work-holding tools. The older F123 series was already marketed as an end-use tool and fixture 3D printer, but apparently, customers were looking for more, namely, carbon-fiber-reinforced Nylon.
Stratasys has offered carbon-fiber Nylon materials for quite a while in its larger industrial Fortus 450 and F900 3D printers designed for performance thermoplastics. Their price, complexity, and size, however, aren’t as appealing to some as the “benchtop” F123 printers that roll on casters and can be plugged into standard wall outlets.
Aiming for a happy middle, Stratasys retooled the F123 series to run more advanced composite materials by changing some hardware, such as the extrusion head, and other internal upgrades.
“These are machines specifically built around printing short-fiber reinforced thermoplastics,” says Adam Pawloski, VP of manufacturing solutions at Stratasys. The two newest printers deliver parts on the “performance spectrum,” which refers to strength and stiffness, halfway between the existing F123 series and the Fortus series.
Stratasys’ carbon-fiber reinforced filament is called Stratasys Nylon-CF10. The F190CR and F370CR only print with Stratasys’ proprietary materials.
The appeal of carbon-fiber Nylon is its application as a replacement for metal parts. Stratasys says the new CR printers enable industrial manufacturers to replace metal components with high-strength 3D printed composite parts faster and cheaper than traditional manufacturing methods.
Together, Stratasys is calling the F190CR and F370CR the “F123CR Series” and you’ll also see it referred to as the F123 Composite-Ready series. Whichever name, don’t be surprised if the older F123 series went away.
If you’re wondering how the F123 and the F123CR compare, other than capacity for carbon-fiber Nylon, the CR series has a heated chamber (up to 30 ºC) and a heated bed. The F190CR and the older F170 have the same machine size, print volume, and number of material bays, while the F370CR and the older F370 are also the same size, print volume, and number of material bays. (See tech specs below.)
Stratasys says the new printers are more efficient because you can print in multiple resolutions from a single print head, avoiding print head changes, and the F370CR includes an auto-changeover feature, so you don’t have to interrupt a build to refill material.
Other convenience features include reusable build trays, a built-in camera for remote monitoring, and a 7-inch control touchscreen.
Easier to Use?
Stratasys says it’s bringing more ease of use to carbon-fiber-Nylon 3D printing in general with its F123CR printer, not that the CR printers are easier to use than the older versions. Both the F190CR and F370CR include integrated GrabCAD Print software for a CAD-to-print workflow. “You don’t need special training or highly skilled technicians to operate F123CR printers,” the company says. “Job setup simply involves importing the part’s CAD file using GrabCAD Print software and initiating the print.”
For users who want deeper control of print options, Stratasys’ Insight software is also included on the F370CR. MTConnect capabilities, which make it easy to integrate the printers into a connected factory floor, let you collect, analyze, and display machine data, such as print job settings.
Price & Availability
Stratasys the F190CR retails for $45,000 and slightly larger F370CR is $75,000.
The F123CR Series printers and the Stratasys-developed FDM Nylon-CF10 material are available for order now and are expected to ship in June
Specs & Materials
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