| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rapid prototyping |
| Genre | 3D printing |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Rehovot, Israel |
| Website | http://www.objet.com/ |
Objet (formerly: Objet Geometries) designs, develops and manufactures 3D printers and photopolymer-based 3D printing materials for rapid prototyping.
Founded in 1998, the company is based in Rechovot, Israel with offices in North America, Europe, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and India.
In 2010 Objet was identified as among Europe’s 25 Most Creative Companies by CNBC European business.
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Objet 3D printers are based on inkjet-printing technology. The 3D printers use inkjet printer heads that can jet a variety of photopolymer-based resins. Objet’s technology is based upon over 110 patents and patent pending inventions.
The company’s photopolymer-based resins are jetted in very thin, 16-micron layers onto the build tray inside the 3D printer. The layers build up one by one to create a finished 3D model or prototype, based on the design created in the CAD software or other 3D content input.
Ultra-violet light, applied after each layer, instantly cures the photopolymer materials, turning them solid. A gel-like support material is also jetted to provide support for complex geometries and overhangs. Once the model is removed from the printer, the support material can be washed away in water.
The company’s current line of products includes 9 3D printers and nearly 70 3D printing materials.
Objet 3D printers fall into three product lines: multi-material Objet Connex 3D printers, desktop 3D printers and professional Objet Eden 3D printers.
Introduced in 2007, the Objet Connex range of multi-material 3D printers (Objet Connex500, Objet Connex350, Objet260 Connex) produce composite materials or Digital Materials made by jetting two different materials simultaneously. This enables the printing of models or parts with advanced material properties including ABS-grade engineering plastics. Jetting different proportions of each material also enables the printing of up of to 14 different material properties within a single model prototype. A total of 65 materials, including 51 digital materials, were available by 2011.
In December 2010, Objet introduced the Objet24 and Objet30 desktop 3D printers. The desktop range offers printing in 28-micron layers. The smaller Objet24 uses the new, general purpose rigid-opaque Objet VeroWhitePlus material. The slightly larger Objet30 can use a choice of up to 5 materials, including the Objet DurusWhite polypropylene-like material.
The Objet Eden line of 3D printers (Objet Eden500V, Objet Eden350/350V, Objet Eden260V, Objet Eden250) enables professional 3D printing in16-micron layers. The machines can print from a choice of 14 rapid prototyping materials including the flexible Tango family, transparent and rigid plastic simulation.
Since 1998, Objet has expanded its range of 3D printing materials from a single general purpose standard plastic material to almost 70 materials simulating properties including rubber, rigid opaque, transparent, bio-compatible, polypropylene and engineering plastics.
Since 2007 and the launch of the Objet Connex line of 3D printers, the company has added 51 ‘digital materials’ based on various composite combinations of their 14 material range.
Objet’s 3D printers are used by design professionals, engineers and manufacturers who need to visualize and functionally verify their design ideas, and by sales and marketing professionals who need to visualize and communicate their ideas. Companies using Objet’s solutions can be found in sectors such as consumer goods & electronics, aerospace & defense, automotive, education, dental, medical and medical devices, architecture, industrial machinery, footwear, sporting goods, toys and service bureaus.
Frost & Sullivan recognized Objet Geometries in 2008 with their Annual Excellence Award. In 2009, Objet's Alaris desktop 3D printer was recognized with the Plastpol Award at the annual plastics show in Poland.