Globally recognized aerospace standard enables aerospace manufacturers to take advantage of the benefits of RedEye’s FDM digital manufacturing technology and capacity for production
MINNEAPOLIS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 26, 2012 — RedEye On Demand, a rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing service, and business unit of Stratasys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSYS), has earned AS9100C certification. Achieving this international standard in the aviation, space and defense industries signifies that RedEye On Demand meets the quality management standards required to provide production parts made using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology for aerospace manufacturers.
“Representing the highest levels of quality, achieving AS9100C certification recognizes our commitment to helping the aerospace community bring their products to market faster without compromising integrity,” said Richard Garrity, Stratasys vice president of RedEye On Demand. “Using real thermoplastics, FDM 3D printing technology offers engineers an attractive option for producing end-use parts in an efficient and cost-effective way.”
The AS9100C standard ensures that dedicated processes are set aside for the way in which manufacturers handle production parts. Interior parts made at RedEye using the FDM process then go to the aircraft manufacturer and are applied to end use in commercial, hobby and military applications. According to Garrity, the key to this growing interest in applying FDM technology in aerospace is it enables the manufacturing of lighter aircraft, which has tremendous impact on fuel costs.
AS9100C fully incorporates the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 certification, which RedEye On Demand received in February 2011, while adding nearly 100 additional requirements specific to quality and safety for aerospace manufacturing. The rigorous audit process included a full on-site audit by a third-party accredited registrar to ensure that working practices observe the procedures and stated objectives and that appropriate records are kept. Additional surveillance visits will be conducted in the future to ensure that the certification remains valid.
“The process to achieve AS9100C certification has driven our organizational performance to a whole new level,” said Garrity. “It has given us a systematic process in our approach to developing parts for the aerospace industry, and holds us accountable for what we make.”
In line with the company’s commitment to serving the aerospace industry, RedEye On Demand offers ULTEM 9085 FDM material for aircraft interiors, military components and other applications requiring a strong, lightweight thermoplastic with high heat and fire retardant properties. Certified for use on commercial aircrafts, ULTEM 9085 is flame, smoke and toxicity certified to UL-94V0 and FAA 25.853 standards.
More about RedEye On Demand’s services and applications:
- Case Study: FDM Mock-up from RedEye Key in Evaluation and Testing of Sukhoi Superjet 100 Main Gear
- Case Study: ICON Aircraft Uses RedEye On Demand’s Rapid Prototyping Services to Create Plane’s Air Ducting Parts
- Case Study: RedEye On Demand Creates Robot Model for International Space Station
- Video Tour of the RedEye On Demand Facility and Systems at Work
RedEye On Demand, by Stratasys, makes prototyping and the production of low-volume, complex parts fast and easy. RedEye assists engineers in all phases of product development from conceptual modeling to the production of end-use parts. As the leader in on-demand, 3D printing services and powered by the innovation of Stratasys, product developers rely on RedEye for the breadth and reach of its manufacturing technologies. These technologies include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), PolyJet and cast urethane molding. RedEye’s global distributive manufacturing network includes more than 125 additive manufacturing systems worldwide. Through its vast network, RedEye is able to streamline and expedite the development time for parts, reducing costs and time to market. Online at www.RedEyeOnDemand.com
Stratasys Inc., Minneapolis, is a maker of additive-manufacturing
machines for prototyping and producing plastic parts. The company
markets under the brands uPrint and Dimension 3D Printers and Fortus
Production 3D Printers. The company also operates RedEye On Demand, a
digital-manufacturing service for prototypes and production parts.
Stratasys manufactures 3D printers for Hewlett Packard, which it sells
under the brand Designjet3D. In 2011, Stratasys acquired 3D printer
maker Solidscape Inc. According to Wohlers Report 2011, Stratasys had a
41-percent market share in 2010, and has been the unit market leader for
the ninth consecutive year. Stratasys patented and owns the Fused
Deposition Modeling (FDM®) process. 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 and industrial equipment, education,
architecture, and consumer-product industries. Online at:
www.Stratasys.com
