Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Invests in Multiple Stratasys 3D Printers to Stimulate Engineering Curriculum

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May 20, 2015
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Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Invests in Multiple Stratasys 3D Printers to Stimulate Engineering Curriculum

MINNEAPOLIS and REHOVOT, Israel, May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

    University invests in professional FDM 3D printing to enhance model customization and
hone engineering design skills

    Stratasys Ltd. [http://www.stratasys.com ] (NASDAQ: SSYS), a leading global provider
of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions has announced that the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology Zuerich [https://www.ethz.ch/de.html ][1](ETH Zuerich) has
invested in multiple Stratasys uPrint SE Plus 3D Printers to enrich undergraduate
engineering design training and aid research students.

    (Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/744983-a )

    (Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/744983-b )

    The investment in the haul of professional uPrint SE Plus
[http://www.stratasys.com/3d-printers/idea-series/uprint-se-plus ] 3D Printers, from Swiss
Stratasys reseller, Alphacam, follows ETH's objective to completely modernize its
Technical Drawing and CAD course by installing the very latest technologies available.
According to Professor Dr. Kristina Shea, head of the Engineering Design and Computing
Laboratory (EDAC) at ETH Zuerich, Stratasys' uPrint SE Plus 3D Printer was selected
specifically for its reliability and ability to produce higher-quality, functional parts
in comparison to other similar options available on the market.

    "The course has between 450-500 students, so reliability was essential and a big part
of our decision to invest in a professional 3D printer," says Dr. Shea. "We had previously
relied on CAD and modeling on a screen, but using high-quality, functional physical models
ensures students are far more engaged."

    All of the work undertaken on ETH Zuerich's arsenal of 3D printers is achieved using
ivory ABSplus(R) FDM material, a mechanically strong and stable thermoplastic which is
ideal for functional prototyping.

    The ability of the uPrint SE Plus 3D Printer to print layer thicknesses of 0.330mm and
0.254mm provides the needed precision for students requiring accurate parts.

    Customization, automation and motivation

    One of the key projects on the course is the customization and building of a
balloon-powered car model, which challenges students to design and 3D print various
iterations of two parts for the car.

    "Thanks to 3D printing technology, we've given students the tools to design and
prototype the wheel spokes and the top of the cars," states Dr Shea. "The first time we 3D
printed parts, we did it in six days, running overnight. With nine parts to each car, it
was a huge job, therefore you can see why the reliability of a professional 3D printer was
integral to such a large investment. We now call them our 'little workhorses!'"

    Dr. Shea continues: "I was particularly interested in the effect of using 3D printed
models on students' motivation. With 3D printing, we saw increased motivation in learning
to use the CAD software. The appreciation of scale and the importance of production
tolerances grew when the customized parts the students had designed were 3D printed and
assembled. Even though design manufacturing guidelines were provided, there were marked
increases in understanding as a result of the material realization of their designs."

    As Sig Behrens, General Manager, Global Education at Stratasys, explains; "We believe
in empowering engineering students with 3D printing skills of the modern workplace and
this is a strategy that many leading institutions, like ETH Zuerich, are committing to and
investing in.

    "The ability to access and familiarize students with professional 3D printing
technology is incredibly important, because these are tomorrow's designers and engineers,"
adds Behrens. "With its desire to embrace 3D printing, ETH Zurich is bridging the gap
between academia and industry by fulfilling the demand for skills that employers are
seeking."

    [1] Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zuerich

    About Stratasys

    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) and PolyJet(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 the digital parts
manufacturing service, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing. Stratasys has more than 3,000
employees, holds over 800 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and
has received more than 30 awards for its technology and leadership. Online at:
http://www.stratasys.com or http://blog.stratasys.com

    Attention Editors, if you publish reader-contact information, please use:

       
        - USA +1-877-489-9449
        - Europe/Middle East/Africa +49-7229-7772-0
        - Asia Pacific +852-39448888

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

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

        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

        Asia Pacific
        Stratasys AP
        Janice Lai
        Tel. +852-3944-8888
        media.ap@stratasys.com

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

        Korea
        Stratasys Korea
        Janice Lai
        Tel. +852-3944-8888
        media.ap@stratasys.com

        Greater China
        Stratasys Shanghai
        Icy Xie
        Tel. +86-21-26018886 icy.xie@stratasys.com

        Mexico
        Stratasys Mexico
        Erica Massini
        Tel. +55-11-2626-9229
        erica.massini@stratasys.com

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

    Photo:
    http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/744983-a

    http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/744983-b

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/744983-a
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150520/744983-b
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Stratasys Ltd.

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