-Solution is a response to eyewear designers need for a more efficient process, offering a unique combination of stiffness and flexibility, essential for eyewear makers prototyping requirements -First rapid prototyping solution specifically for eyewear permits full aesthetic and functional evaluation before manufacturing

MINNEAPOLIS & REHOVOT, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- From initial design concept to display on the store shelf, a new eyeglass-frame design takes about 18 months, using traditional development techniques, according to Stratasys eyewear customers. Large eyewear manufacturers may create up to 150 new frame designs weekly (or thousands of new frames per year). Imagine cutting up to 15 months from the development and production cycle of every frame and shrinking time-to-market to eight weeks or less.

Thats whats possible, say pioneering companies that tested a new eyewear rapid prototyping solution introduced today from Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS), a global leader in applied additive technology solutions. Stratasys developed the VeroFlex Rapid Prototyping Eyewear Solution to help manufacturers dramatically improve time-to-market and cost-efficiency.
The new solution combines Stratasys unique J750 Multi-color, Multi-material 3D Printer with, VeroFlex, a new specially formulated 3D printing material for eyewear rapid prototyping needs. VeroFlex offers a unique combination of stiffness and flexibility, essential for a wide range of prototyping requirements. From initial concept iterations to complex multi-color and advanced texture models, to precise functional models for performance testing, VeroFlex offers a more durable and flexible material for demanding internal tests prior to tooling and production. This provides eyewear manufacturers the ability to deliver products over a year faster and lead with the latest market trends, while improving salability of its products.
"The eyewear market continues to expand, driven by new technologies, demand for customization and growing addressable markets," says Mike Vasquez, founder and CEO at the digital manufacturing consultancy, 3Degrees. "As the industry seeks to maximize its opportunity, Stratasys' prototyping solutions for frames and eyewear accessories -- which can cut time-to-market by upwards of 80 percent -- will be an attractive solution that is able to deliver immediate value for users looking to make parts with a high degree of mechanical function and appearance."
For functional performance testing, the Stratasys VeroFlex material stands up to key eyewear-maker evaluation, including drop tests, lens-mounting, stress tests and wearability tests.
When used for design verification, the Stratasys VeroFlex material offers ultimate realism enabled by combining six new VeroFlex materials (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, White, Black, and Clear), and the ability to create and mix solid, opaque, transparent and color shades in addition to simulating true-to-life textures such as wood grains, leather, stitching, bone, carbon-fiber, and photo-realistic images.
For more information, visit the Stratasys VeroFlex Rapid Prototyping Eyewear Solution webpage.
Photos for the Stratasys VeroFlex Rapid Prototyping Eyewear Solution are available in the Stratasys newsroom.
Want to know more? See Stratasys at the TCT Show on Stand D30, Hall 3 at the NEC Birmingham, September 26th - 29th.
Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) 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 customers 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 around the world.
Corporate Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rehovot, Israel.
Online at: www.stratasys.com, http://blog.stratasys.com and LinkedIn.

Stratasys is a registered trademark and PolyJet, J750, VeroFlex Rapid Prototyping Eyewear Solution and the Stratasys signet are trademarks of Stratasys Ltd. and or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.