Objet260 User Guide
3 Introducing the Objet260 3D Printing System
DOC-37004 Rev. E
3-2
Welcome to Connex™ Printing
The advanced capabilities of Connex printing systems are made possible by
technology specially developed by Stratasys for printing models
simultaneously with different model materials. Printing models with
combinations
of basic materials (digital materials) enables you to choose from
a wide range of mechanical properties—from flexible to rigid—and colors.
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With Connex printers, you can achieve the following results when printing 3D
models:
• You can prepare objects for printing with two or three designated model
materials and then print them at the same time. This enables you to assign
specific mechanical and color properties to objects.
• You can print parts of the same model—simultaneously—with different
materials (or material combinations
1
).
• You can print objects that have a “coating” made from a different material
than the main part of the object.
Because Connex printers can be loaded with different materials, you can
streamline and economize the process of producing models:
• Printing models made from different materials on the same build tray
(“mixed tray”), in the same print job, eliminates the time-consuming need
and expense of loading another material, flushing the system, and sending
a separate job to be printed.
• You can quickly alternate printing jobs using any of the model materials
loaded (or material combinations)—again, without the need and expense
of replacing materials.
Objet Studio enables you to split models into component parts (“shells”) so
you can isolate, manipulate and print parts of a model. Then, you can assign
model materials and other characteristics to the shells. However, you have
ultimate control when separating models into shells by preparing
stl
files with
your CAD software.
Model designs saved as VRML files can be opened in Objet Studio. When you
prepare them for printing on Connex3 printers, parts are assigned appropriate
material combinations to produce the desired colors in the printed model.
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Connex2 and Connex3 configurations only
