Leading film industry model-maker, FBFX Ltd, uses Stratasys' Objet30 Desktop 3D Printer to design key components for lead actress Noomi Rapace's space helmet

Model-makers such as FBFX turn to 3D printing as world of filmmaking goes digital

Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS), a leading manufacturer of 3D printers and production systems for prototyping and manufacturing, today announced how global model-maker of props and costumes for the film industry, FBFX Ltd, has increased its business since bringing Stratasys 3D printing technology in-house. The UK-based film specialist disclosed details of how its Stratasys Objet30 Desktop 3D Printer was critical in designing complex components for the space helmet used by leading actress Noomi Rapace in recent Hollywood blockbuster, Prometheus.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/612648-a )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/612648-b )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/612648-c )

With over 20 years' experience in model-making for the film industry and working with many of the world's leading film directors and designers, FBFX recently invested in a Stratasys Objet30 Desktop 3D Printer to enhance its in-house prototyping capabilities. According to Grant Pearmain, FBFX Managing Director, the company has been investing in new technologies to outpace the rapidly-changing requirements of the film industry:

"The film industry is rapidly moving towards digital - more and more 3D files are coming in, so we've had to align our in-house resources to meet this demand. We can now take 3D data and quickly 3D print a model for our customers to hold in their hands and make design changes if necessary. Having this capability puts us on the frontline, and in this business, having the most cutting-edge technology in-house can be the difference between being called upon for a multi-million pound movie or not."  

This requirement for technology expertise and superior design capability was evident in the company's recent involvement with the widely-acclaimed hit movie, Prometheus. When designing the space helmet for lead actress Noomi Rapace, complex geometries were required when creating mating patterns to ensure the fit and lock of the helmet onto the space suit. A traditional model-maker could typically take weeks to produce such precision, however, armed with a digital toolkit, FBFX was able to quickly create a 3D CAD file of the helmet and 3D print a model in just a number of hours using its Stratasys 3D Printer.

"When it comes to creating accurate models, 3D printing is revolutionary in the industry when you think of the traditional methods we used to use," says Pearmain. "As you can imagine for the Prometheus helmet, the cast were not always in the same place at the same time, so to be able to rapidly recreate a 3D model, in such a supremely accurate fashion, was integral in the design verification phase."

Pearmain continues, "Once we had the 3D CAD file, our Objet30 3D Printer was crucial in finalising the space helmet design, specifically to create the patterns for the collar and helmet locking rings. This type of job would have previously been outsourced, costing us time and money we did not have. However, having the 3D printer in-house allowed us to perfect the design and provide a more comfortable experience for Noomi without worrying about missing deadlines."

FBFX purchased the Objet30 Desktop 3D Printer through UK distributor Tri-Tech. Paul Webber, Sales Director at Tri-Tech, adds: "When we first heard that FBFX needed to bring prototyping in-house we knew that an Objet Desktop 3D Printer would be the ideal solution. The requirement for fast modelling and the extreme level of detail needed for film made it an obvious choice."

About Stratasys Ltd.

Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS) is the corporate entity formed in 2012 by the merger of 3D printing companies Stratasys Inc. and Objet Ltd., based in Minneapolis, Minn. and Rehovot, Israel. The Company manufactures 3D printers and materials for prototyping and production. Its patented FDM^® and PolyJet^® processes produce prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include affordable desktop 3D printers for idea development, a range of systems for prototyping, and large production systems for direct digital manufacturing. Since June 2012, the Company's range of over 130 3D printing materials is the widest in the industry and includes in excess of 120 proprietary inkjet-based photopolymer materials and 10 proprietary FDM-based thermoplastic materials. Stratasys also manufactures Solidscape 3D Printers and operates the RedEye On Demand digital-manufacturing service. The Company has more than 1100 employees, holds more than 500 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 20 awards for its technology and leadership. Online at: http://www.stratasys.com or http://blog.stratasys.com.  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements regarding Stratasys' beliefs, intentions and expectations, including statements regarding the management of Stratasys, Inc. and Objet Ltd. as a combined company, the benefits of the combination of the companies, and the future financial performance of the combined company after their merger, are forward-looking statements. The statements involve risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk and uncertainty that the businesses of the two companies may not be integrated successfully; the risk that the merger may involve unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities; the risk that synergies from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that management's focus on and disruptions arising from the merger make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, or suppliers.  Stratasys' ability to achieve the results presented in any forward-looking statement will depend on numerous factors, including its ability to penetrate the 3D printing market; its ability to achieve the growth rates experienced in preceding quarters; its ability to introduce, produce and market both existing and new consumable materials, and the market acceptance of these materials; the impact of competitive products and pricing; its timely development of new products and materials and market acceptance of those products and materials; the success of Stratasys' recent R&D initiative to expand the DDM capabilities of its core FDM technology; and the success of Stratasys' RedEye On Demand^[TM] and other paid parts services. These and other applicable factors are discussed in this presentation and in Stratasys' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These filings include the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on August 8, 2012, as well as the filings that Stratasys, Inc. has made with the SEC and that Stratasys Ltd. has made and will make with the SEC in the future, including its report on Form 20-F to be filed for the year ended 12/31/2012.  Any forward-looking statements included in this presentation are as of the date they are given, and Stratasys does not intend to update them if its views later change, except as may be required by law.  These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Stratasys' views as of any date subsequent to the date they are given.

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SOURCE Stratasys