Advanced structures by the microscopic voxels control

Global leader in applied additive technology solutions, Stratasys has recently introduced GrabCAD Voxel Print, a new software solution for its J750 3D printing solution, which provides true voxel level control during the design and 3D printing process. Manipulating microscopic voxels, which are the building blocks of 3D printing, enables users to achieve 3D printed effects and properties not possible before. This, combined with the unique full color, multi-material 3D printing capability of the Stratasys J750 3D Printing Solution, opens up a new world of digital materials and advanced structures for a range of demanding customer applications, including academic research, product design, and biomedical, as well as art, design and animation.

“With GrabCAD Voxel Print, we are taking the power of our unique PolyJet full color, multi-material capability used by customers all over the world and multiplying exponentially the opportunities it affords. This machine control utility is designed to enable our customers to manipulate thousands of materials at the voxel level to produce 3D models that fit precise material requirements unachievable any other way. It, in effect, turns the Stratasys J750 3D Printer into the world’s premium platform for experimentation, discovery and innovation”, said Gina Scala, director of marketing for Global Education, Stratasys. “Amazing new product ideas are often born in the research lab; that’s where GrabCAD Voxel Print can make a substantial impact on design and manufacturing”.

Stratasys’ unique Digital Materials are achieved by combining PolyJet photopolymers inside the 3D printer. The Stratasys J750 platform, equipped with GrabCAD Voxel Print, unlocks the ability to manipulate these 3D printed material concentrations, structures and color mapping at the voxel level. This allows users to produce entirely new digital materials for their specialized needs - creating advanced structures, gradient color patterns, internal properties and textures never before possible with 3D printing, to meet precise material requirements for various applications.

“With 3D printing, Laika is successfully reviving the age-old technique of stop-motion animation. And this sets us off on an amazing journey. The Stratasys multi-material PolyJet technology empowers our animators with the precise, voxel-level control necessary to build the most intricate, creative characters we can imagine. In shot-by-shot, custom animation, this level of detail is critical to bring these films to life. That's something Laika just couldn't achieve with other technology", explained Brian McLean, head of rapid prototyping at Laika.

Users can use their own model layer slicer tool to assign properties at the voxel level, slice by slice, creating the ability to go beyond boundary representation to volumetric modeling. Stratasys is therefore enabling the user to design and fabricate a part from the inside out. GrabCAD Voxel Print generates a GrabCAD Voxel File (GCVF) that can be directly loaded to GrabCAD and fabricated on the Stratasys J750 3D Printer.