Newsletter August 2008

In this issue:

• Introducing Your Factory of the Future

• Bridge to Tooling Turns to Production for Ablation Frontiers

• New 3D CAD Add-in for Autodesk Inventor

• ABS-M30 Now in Rainbow of Colors

• Announcing! New Laser Design Partnership

Introducing Your Factory of the Future

RedEye is proud to introduce Your Factory of the Future, a new way of looking at the evolution of 3D printing technology beyond rapid prototyping to "on demand" direct digital manufacturing (DDM).

"The Factory of the Future is more than a new brand identity," said Tim Thellin, RedEye Marketing Manager. "It is a way of serving our customers with a comprehensive DDM solution. RedEye delivers the entire DDM experience, from prototypes, to fixture and assembly tools to end-use parts for production. Leveraging our 'on demand' global network of 100 systems changes the way organizations design and manufacture products, resulting in competitive advantages, operational efficiencies and cost savings."

DDM is now the 3rd most popular application for additive fabrication technology (Wholers Report 2008). RedEye views our job as being a partner to help educate and navigate our customers through direct digital manufacturing (DDM) as it continues to evolve.

We encourage you to think about the benefits of "on demand" DDM in lieu of traditional manufacturing.

"Today, nothing stands between you and your idea," said Tesch. "Thanks to 'on demand' manufacturing, you have DDM at your fingertips from prototype to production. The Factory of the Future is here today."

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Bridge to Tooling Turns to Production for Ablation Frontiers

No one likes to be charged for changing his or her mind. That's why Ablation Frontiers appreciated the ability to make continuous product improvements in its new Ablation product without the increased cost or extended timelines often found with traditional tooling processes.

Ablation Frontiers is a medical device company that develops novel technologies to restore normal heart function to individuals with cardiac arrhythmias. With a looming trade show deadline, it needed to produce 2,500 ablation tools within four months. It turned to RedEye to produce 500 rapid prototype products as a bridge to tooling while its tooling operation caught up with its production.

Ablation Frontiers chose RedEye polycarbonate (PC) ISO Class VI materials, which can be sterilized for clean room environments and medical devices. Polycarbonates are thermoplastic polymers that offer a combination of strength, rigidity and toughness known for preventing material failures. Polycarbonate materials labeled ISO Class VI have passed the most stringent biocompatibility testing standards that comply with ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI rating systems.

It wasn't long after the rapid prototyping began that Ablation Frontiers began making small product improvements. Each change threatened to push the cost and timeline beyond Ablation Frontiers' reach if the original tooling plan continued. Eventually, Ablation Frontiers made seven iterations of its product before it reached its final design.

Although the company initially asked RedEye to create 500 products as a bridge to tooling, it eventually had RedEye create all 2,500 products in order to meet its four-month deadline and stay within its budget.

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New 3D CAD Add-in for Autodesk Inventor

Users of Autodesk Inventor can now receive instant price quotes for rapid prototype and DDM parts directly from their Inventor application.

Thanks to a special software add-on, created by RedEye for Autodesk Inventor, only basic model data is transferred to RedEye to obtain an instant quote. The quotes are based on services offered by RedEye RPM, which houses 100 additive fabrication systems in its facilities worldwide, most of which are fused deposition modeling® systems manufactured by Stratasys.

When you are ready to order, a special STL file is uploaded over a secure Internet connection. Your Inventor model never leaves your system.

And now, get 10% off your first order! Download the add-in for more information >

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ABS-M30 Now in Rainbow of Colors

Looking for more variety? ABS-M30 is now available at RedEye in five new colors: white, black, dark gray, blue and red, in addition to the previously offered white.

ABS-M30, stronger than standard ABS material, is great for prototypes, design verifications and DDM applications that need impact resistance and structural strength. It works with the entire range of DDM options, from conceptual prototypes and design verification to form, fit and function applications. ABS-M30 provides greater dimensional stability than standard ABS, thanks to stronger layer bonding. The result is more realistic functional tests and higher quality parts for end use.

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Announcing! New Laser Design Partnership

RedEye is happy to announce a new partnership with Laser Design, Inc. and GKS Inspection Services, leaders in 3D laser scanning systems and services. For those who need to inspect or reverse engineer parts quickly and accurately, 3D laser scanning may be the perfect solution.

GKS provides users with a 3D CAD file to get started on the RedEye part. GKS is a complete service bureau that offers conventional metrology and terrestrial laser scanning of large-scale structures or environments. Most projects can be finished in two to three days!

Contact GKS for a quote. Those who mention RedEye in their request will receive 10% off their first project with RedEye! Call today for more information, or log on to http://www.gks.com/ppc_lps_gks/redeye_ppc.asp.

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