Stratasys Adds PEKK-Based, High-Performance Thermoplastic: Antero 800NA, for FDM Process

New material allows aerospace and other high-performance vehicle makers
to move to additive manufacturing for high-temperature, chemical-exposed
parts

MINNEAPOLIS & REHOVOT, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Stratasys
(Nasdaq:SSYS), a global leader in applied additive technology solutions,
today introduced for its FDM process, a new PEKK-based high-performance
thermoplastic, called Antero™ 800NA.

A PEKK material for FDM additive manufacturing offers significant
advantages for many manufacturers, including lighter-weight parts,
reduced inventories, and improved profitability.

Antero
800NA outperforms other high-performance thermoplastics with its
superior chemical resistance and ultra-low outgassing. In addition, the
material possesses high temperature resistance and exceptional wear
properties.

Aerospace and other high-performance vehicle makers wishing to move to
an additive manufacturing process will be among the most interested in
Antero 800NA.

Its superior chemical resistance means it can be used for components
exposed to hydrocarbons, such as fuels and lubricants, as well as many
acids. Additionally, its low outgassing allows it to be used in confined
spaces and sensitive environments, such as satellites, where materials
may not outgas under vacuum. Antero 800NA’s high operating temperature
is designed to allow it to be used for applications under the hood or in
engine compartments.

Custom or low-volume additive manufacturing with Antero 800NA has
economic advantages over traditional machining processes. With
traditional processes, manufacturers buy bulk PEKK (available only in
limited shapes and sizes) and machine it to a net shape, which wastes a
considerable amount of expensive material and has a longer lead time.
With an additive process, the workflow is faster, yielding
lighter-weight parts with optimized topology and significantly reduced
waist.

Another important advantage with the additive process is it allows
manufacturers to produce PEKK parts on-demand and eliminate inventory
that might sit on a shelf for years before being needed. The reduction
in inventory costs means increased profitability.

Besides space, aerospace and automotive, target industries include
high-end industrial manufacturing as well as oil-and-gas applications.

Unlike PEKK parts made with some powder-based additive processes, Antero
800NA parts created with the FDM process are more durable and
dimensionally stable, even when building large parts. They are also
cost-effective to produce, even at low quantities.

Antero 800NA’s advantages over competing additive processes include:

• Better elongation in the X and Z axis, resulting in tougher parts
• Consistent mechanical properties
• Low-volume cost advantages
• Large-part dimensional stability
• FDM technology advantages, including ease-of-use and design freedom

Antero 800NA is the first commercial product in a planned new family of
PEKK-based materials. The material will be offered with an initial layer
thickness of 0.010 in (0.25mm) and additional layer-thickness options
planned for future release.

Antero 800NA is expected to be available for use on Stratasys’ Fortus
450mc Production 3D Printer in Q2, 2018, and for the Fortus 900mc
Production 3D Printer in Q4, 2018. Existing Fortus 450mc users with the
high-performance material bundle will be able to use Antero 800NA
without additional license fees. Fortus 450mc users without the
high-performance materials bundle can purchase the high-performance
material bundle or an individual material license. Fortus 450mc systems
will require the Nylon 12CF hardware upgrade along with a new tip and
purge ledge to operate the Antero 800NA material.

Stratasys is a global leader in applied additive technology
solutions for industries including Aerospace, Automotive, Healthcare,
Consumer Products and Education. For nearly 30 years, a deep and ongoing
focus on customers’ business requirements has fueled purposeful
innovations—1,200 granted and pending additive technology patents to
date—that create new value across product lifecycle processes, from
design prototypes to manufacturing tools and final production parts. The
Stratasys 3D printing ecosystem of solutions and expertise—advanced
materials; software with voxel level control; precise, repeatable and
reliable FDM and PolyJet 3D printers; application-based expert services;
on-demand parts and industry-defining partnerships—works to ensure
seamless integration into each customer’s evolving workflow. Fulfilling
the real-world potential of additive, Stratasys delivers breakthrough
industry-specific applications that accelerate business processes,
optimize value chains and drive business performance improvements for
thousands of future-ready leaders. Corporate headquarters: Minneapolis,
Minnesota and Rehovot, Israel. Online at: www.stratasys.com,
http://blog.stratasys.com and LinkedIn.

Stratasys and Fortus are registered trademarks, and FDM, Antero, Fortus
450mc, Fortus 900mc, and the Stratasys signet are trademarks of
Stratasys Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in
this press release relating to Stratasys’ beliefs regarding the benefits
consumers will experience from Antero 800NA, Stratasys’ expectation on
the timing of shipping Antero 800NA, and compatibility with the listed
3D printers, are forward-looking statements reflecting management's
current expectations and beliefs. These forward-looking statements are
based on current information that is, by its nature, subject to rapid
and even abrupt change. Due to risks and uncertainties associated with
Stratasys' business, actual results could differ materially from those
projected or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that
consumers will not perceive the benefits of Antero 800NA to be the same
as Stratasys does; the risk that unforeseen technical difficulties will
delay the shipping of Antero 800NA; the risk that unforeseen technical
difficulties will cause compatibility issues between material and
machines; and other risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk
Factors” in Stratasys' most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 28, 2018.
Stratasys is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any
obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
otherwise required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

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