Introducing RedEye Australasia's Corporate Advantage Network

Calling Existing FDM machine owners!

Do you have a Dimension, U-Print, Mojo or 400MC machine and can’t keep up with your printing requirements? 

Supplement your existing capabilities by utilising the facilities at Redeye Australasia (the bureau service for Stratasys and Fortus).

RedEye Australasia offers corporate rates to existing machine owners allowing them access to a full suite of machines (including 400MC and 900MC), as well as the complete range of FDM materials including Ultem, PC, PC-ISO, ABS-M30i, and ABS in a wide variety of colours. 

Whether you need diversity in materials, a larger build platform or simply more machines to meet your short term requirements, take advantage of the RedEye Corporate rate and allow RedEye Australasia to supplement your existing FDM capabilities.

You already know the benefits of FDM for accurate repeatable models, prototypes and parts, and now you can gain a corporate discount for any projects that are built in the RedEye Australasia facilities because of your previous machine purchase.  

To receive the corporate discount, send your existing Stratasys or Fortus serial number along with your files, and upgrade your capabilities without the capital expenditure by becoming a member of the RedEye Australasia Corporate Advantage network. 

RedEye Australasia, www.redeyeondemand.com.au, 1300 559 454, enquiries@redeyeondemand.com.au.

FDM creates prototypes for the Smithsonian

The possibilities are endless with rapid prototyping technologies. Aside from functional tools, injection moulds, blow moulds and highly accurate parts, FDM is also suitable for building lifesize replicas, like the model of Thomas Jefferson recently created for the Smithsonian. The possibilities are endless with rapid prototyping technologies. Aside from functional tools, injection moulds, blow moulds and highly accurate parts, FDM is also suitable for building lifesize replicas, like the model of Thomas Jefferson recently created for the Smithsonian.

The Smithsonian was putting together an exhibition for the National Museum of African American History called Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty. They would obvioulsy have loved to use the statue on permanent display at Monticello, the Thomas Jefferson Museum in Virginia, but that was not practical or possible.

Instead of using traditional modelling techniques, such as rubber molding and casting, the statue was instead scanned and built in three sections (four parts) using FDM technology and materials. The full scale replica was then finished and painted to look like the original bronze statue.

Not only is this an excellent example of rapid prototyping technology and the possibilities of this growing industry, it also opens up a whole new way for people to experience some amazing objects in a museum or gallery which they may otherwise never have the opportunity to see.

FDM parts and prototypes are durable and accurate, minimising the risk of damage during transport.

Already popular with medical models, architectural models and teaching aids, a new era of model making has arrived, and with it, new opportunities!

Well Done Redeye On Demand and the Smithsonian.

FDM prints an entire coffee table in one piece

In a recent article on imaterialise, a FDM printed modular coffee table was featured.

The Module, designed by celebrated designers WertelOberfell–Platform is printed in one piece on a Stratasys FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) Maxum machine.

The coffee table is based on fractal growth patterns in trees and designed specifically to minimize waste. Individual Module coffee tables can be intertwined in order to get just the size of table you need.

To watch the build click on the link below.



The machine used in the video is the Stratasys FDM Maxum, one of the largest 3D printers in existence with a build volume of 600 x 500 x 600 mm. Redeye Australasia has a Maxum on the premises and can make large scale prototypes in a single piece within Australia, reducing waiting time for parts to a maximum of a few days.

The Stratasys 900MC in RedEye's American Build Centre is capable of building prototypes as large as 914 x 610 x 914 mm and can supply them direct to Australia through the Australasian Build Centre. See it in action below.



Producing prototypes with a high degree of dimensional accuracy, FDM is becoming increasingly popular for aerospace, automotive as well as art and other creative prototyping. For an instant quote visit http://www.redeyeondemand.com.au/.

3D printing critical in MINI World Rally Championship

Stratasys recently announced that its Dimension 3D printers and Fortus Production 3D Printers played a critical role in the development of the new MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car (WRC).

The MINI Cooper WRC Team used the additive manufacturing machines to create a full-scale mock-up of the vehicle directly from the CAD (computer aided design) files, and it used the technology extensively on other assemblies and components of the vehicle.

The MINI WRC Team relied heavily on 3D printing throughout the car’s two-year development cycle. To design the test car, engineers used Stratasys FDM 3D Printing technology to create large parts of the engine bay, gearbox, steering assembly, vehicle interior and even engine components, such as intake valves. In addition to prototyping parts for the test track, the MINI WRC Team even produced some end-use parts for the finished car. One of the most visible of these is the ergonomically styled gearshift display and control panel, which is mounted on the steering column.

The development of the car, which will be featured in this year’s World Rally Championship, has impressed upon MINI WRC Team the importance of 3D printing in saving time, reducing tooling costs and enabling more design freedom of complex geometric parts.

“We would find it nearly impossible to build another car without using FDM technology,” said Paul Doe, chief design engineer. “We would never have dreamt of building the parts we did without the Stratasys machines. Using composite parts would have cost up to three to five times more.”

“MINI WRC Team’s use of FDM technology to develop a race-worthy car for WRC demonstrates that it’s both efficient and cost effective,” said Tim Heller, managing director of Stratasys Europe. “It’s nice to be considered an indispensable part of the prestigious team’s operation.”

MINI WRC Team used Stratasys Dimension 1200es 3D Printers and Fortus 400mc Production 3D Printers with polycarbonate and ABS materials.

MINI WRC Team Details

The MINI WRC Team made its debut in the FIA World Rally Championship in Rally Italy, Sardinia in May and for 2011 will be competing in just six European rallies with two MINI John Cooper Works WRCS. This is ahead of a full assault taking in all rounds of the championship in 2012.

MINI has a great rallying heritage and so for its two cars the team has chosen the numbers 37 and 52, which were carried by the cars winning the Monte Carlo Rally in the sixties.

Driving number 37 is Spain’s Dani Sordi with his co-driver being fellow Spaniard Carlos del Barrio.

Kris Meeke from Northern Ireland is driving number 52, and his co-driver is Paul Nagle from Southern Ireland.

This programme was initially announced last July, but even before then a lot of development had been done by MINI’s partner in this project Prodrive, one of the most experienced and respected operations in rallying. This UK based company from Banbury has no less than six World Rally Championship titles to its name. It was founded by team principal David Richards, who was himself a very successful rally co-driver.

“MINI powered by BMW Motorsport”: The heart of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC is the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Di turbo engine, which is also available in the MINI production models.

The production engine was further developed by BMW Motorsport for the use in various categories according to FIA Super 2000 regulations. The power transmission takes place via an Xtrac 6-speed, sequential gearbox.

For its outings on the rally stages, the MINI Countryman chassis has been fitted with a roll cage developed by Prodrive, which exceeds the strict safety requirements of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Stratasys Inc. is a maker of additive manufacturing machines for prototyping and producing plastic parts. The company markets under the brands Fortus 3D Production Systems and Dimension 3D Printers. The company also operates RedEye On Demand, a digital manufacturing service for prototypes and production parts. According to Wohlers Report 2010, Stratasys supplied more additive manufacturing systems in 2009 than any other manufacturer, making it the unit market leader for the eighth consecutive year. Stratasys patented and owns the process known as FDM.® The process creates functional prototypes and manufactured goods directly from any 3D CAD program, using high-performance industrial thermoplastics. The company holds more than 285 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally. Stratasys products are used in the aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, business & industrial equipment, education, architecture, and consumer-product industries. Online at: http://www.stratasys.com/

FDM Technology is a trademark, and FDM, Stratasys, Fortus, Dimension and RedEye are registered trademarks of Stratasys Inc.