Stratasys announced today a technological breakthrough in 3D printing. They claim their J750 3D printer can make full color, multi-material prototypes in a single print.

Want to 3D print a sneaker? Or at least a working prototype? Statasys, the 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company, have launched this week the 3D printer J750 which can make rubber and plastic products with an impressive array of characteristics.

The Israeli company are the world’s biggest maker of 3D printing systems and this could be the world’s only 3D printer to produce full color, multi-material prototypes and parts in a single 3D print. Here’s an example:

Josh Claman, Chief Business Officer at Stratasys, said in a press release:

“With the introduction of the J750, we are harnessing more than 25 years of experience to set a new historical milestone in 3D printing – reaffirming our commitment to keeping customers always on the cutting edge of innovation. With its one-stop realism, the J750 is quite simply a game changer.”

What’s so Special about the J750?

The aim of the J750 is to help eliminate time-consuming processes of printing, painting an assembline a 3D print. This can (and probably will) accelerate product design, decisions and delivery, all in one go (see above).

Stratasys claim the J750 delivers incomparable 3D printing versatility to produce realistic prototypes, tooling, molds, jigs and fixtures and more.

The printer allows customers to choose from more than 360,000 different color shades plus multiple material properties – ranging from rigid to flexible and opaque to transparent. It will be the premier addition to the Objet Connex multi-color, multi-material series of 3D Printers.

The J750 also minimizes downtime associated with material changeovers because it features a large, six-material capacity and also keeps the most used resins loaded and ready for printing.

As well as this, newly designed, state-of-the-art print heads means simulated production plastics, such as “Digital ABS”, can be 3D printed in half the time of other Stratasys PolyJet systems.

Josh Claman said:

“By combining full color with multiple materials and a streamlined workflow, it recalibrates the impact of 3D printing in the product development cycle. Informed design decisions can be made immediately after the concepting stage. The time saved by eliminating the painting and assembly process can lead to faster product delivery times. The J750 is a multi-purpose system that can also produce production tools, manufacturing moulds, teaching aids, and other models – truly raising the bar in 3D printing versatility.”

What does it Mean for You?

The machine’s targeted towards the professional market – there‘s no price yet, but it won‘t come cheap. For 3D printing professionals and small businesses, this protoyping device might be the right solution. On the other hand, many 3D printing services can now offer faster and better service to their customers – and that‘s gonna have some impact on companies like Shapeways, Sculpteo and i.Materialise.

If all of this interests you, then you will be pleased to hear that 3D printing companies can order the Stratasys J750 immediately. Or, if you’d rather see how it works for yourself, then Stratasys J750 is being showcased at AMUG 2016 in the Demo Suite.