Stratasys's Announces STEP, the Newest 3D Printing Technology

Stratasys has announced the formation of subsidiaries that will facilitate the release of the newest 3D printing technology.

On Wednesday, Stratasys, one of the earliest providers of 3D printing solutions in the world, introduced two new subsidiaries in-charge of the promotion and development of two 3D-printing technologies.

First, Vulcan Labs, Inc., which Stratasys acquired in 2014, will be tasked with promoting Powder-Bed Fusion (PBF) to the metal engineering industry. This comes after three years of Stratasys helping Vulcan Labs refine their focus to metal-based additive manufacturing.

The second company, called Evolve Additive, will champion a newish, not-well-known 3D printing technology known as Selective Toner Electrophotographic Process (STEP). According to Stratasys, STEP is 50 times faster than other polymer 3D printing processes available in the market today.

Aside from its printing speed, STEP could also work using a more extensive range of thermoplastics, emphasizing its directional strength in the Z-axis as unequaled.

“STEP 3D printing technology has been in development at Evolve Additive Solutions since 2009. Then called electrophotography-based additive manufacturing, STEP is a rapid 3D printing process based on technology commonly found in photocopiers and laser printers,” Stratasys said in its statement.

Read More: Complete Beginner’s Guide to Additive Manufacturing

This new 3D printing technology uses an entirely different method of fabricating objects. STEP technology reportedly combines 2D imaging technology with the proprietary IP developed by Evolve to align layers and advanced bonding methods more precisely.

“We believe the STEP Technology is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap in the market not yet addressed by additive or traditional manufacturing technologies,” Steve Chillscyzn, STEP co-inventor and Evolve Additive CEO, said.

“It is the first-of-its-kind technology offering an additive method for mass production. It’s designed to deliver the benefits of additive while handling high-volume production.”

The first beta version of STEP is expected to be released in the next 12 months. Evolve reportedly seeks alpha stage purchase in the consumer goods, automotive, and aerospace industries.

“We’ve invented a brand new technology; the first of its kind in 25 years, this is not a variant of FDM, not a variant of PolyJet or anything else out there that you’ll see, this is brand new from scratch technology,” Chillscyzn added.

Do you believe that this new 3D printing technology has what it takes to be the next big thing?