When you need a functional prototype for testing, going online may be your best bet. A new automated quoting and ordering service from Stratasys (Eden Prairie, MN) called RedEye RPM now offers quotes 24/7 using a proprietary, secure engine for quoting and ordering. Company sources say it preserves user confidentiality by analyzing design file data without uploading it. Neither the Web engine nor RedEye employees view the file until the quote is accepted or saved.

RedEyeRPM.com is an online extension of Stratasys?s existing BuildFDM service, which builds prototypes and parts using the FDM (fused deposition modeling) process for North American customers. The process creates functional models directly from any 3D CAD program using ABS, PC, and other production materials. At the site, users can get a price quote in about 30 seconds after logging in, browsing to select the desired file, and choosing a build material. Single parts or higher volumes are usually received in three to five days.

Users select from various production-grade plastics to produce parts that are durable enough for functional testing processes. The company says that an accurate building process ensures that part tolerance meets or exceeds any competitive process.?MM

Stratasys/RedEye RPM Inc.
(952) 906-2725
www.redeyerpm.com

IMM - January 2006