Largest Independent FDM Service Bureau in the U.S. Now Using 17 FDM Systems from Stratasys’ Fortus Group

MINNEAPOLIS - Fortus, a brand of Stratasys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSYS) today announced that C.ideas – the largest independent FDM service bureau in the U.S. – purchased two additional Maxum™ 3D Production Systems. With these additional units, C.ideas is now operating a total of 17 FDM-based systems, 7 of which are Maxums.

FDM-based Fortus 3D Production Systems enable designers and manufacturers to build thermoplastic parts that are more accurate and durable than other additive fabrication systems. Directly from CAD files, Fortus systems produce parts used for conceptual models, functional prototypes, manufacturing tools, or end-use parts.

“The new Maxum machines will help us reduce customer lead times and meet the continuing demand we’re seeing for direct digital manufacturing,” says C.ideas President Mike Littrell. “The accuracy and reliability of the FDM-based machines are unmatched, and they play an important role in our ability to deliver production-quality parts to our customers when they need them. The next logical machine purchase for us would be the Fortus 900mc.”

Direct digital manufacturing (DDM) is the process of manufacturing parts directly from CAD data using additive fabrication. DDM brings great efficiencies for low-volume manufacturing and the ability to build spare parts on demand.

“Fortus 3D Production Systems help customers trim time and costs from their design and manufacturing processes,” says Stratasys product marketing manager Fred Fischer. “For organizations like service bureaus, where time is money, these systems reduce labor and help get parts out the door fast, while meeting tight tolerances.”

For more details on Fortus 3D Production systems, visit www.Fortus.com or call 1-800-480-3548. For more details on C.ideas inc. visit www.buildparts.com or call 847-639-1000.

Fortus is a brand of Stratasys, Inc. Formerly known as the FDM Group, Fortus offers a line of 3D production systems used for direct digital manufacturing and precision rapid prototyping. Fortus systems create manufactured goods and prototypes from industrial thermoplastics, including ABS plastic, polycarbonate, PPSF, blends, and ULTEM* 9085. Online at: www.Fortus.com

Stratasys, Inc., Minneapolis, manufactures additive fabrication machines for prototyping and manufacturing plastic parts. The company also operates a service for part prototyping and production. According to Wohlers Report 2008, Stratasys supplied 44 percent of all additive fabrication systems installed worldwide in 2007, making it the unit market leader for the sixth consecutive year. Stratasys patented and owns the process known as FDM.® The process creates functional prototypes and manufactured goods directly from any 3D CAD program, using high-performance industrial thermoplastics. The company holds more than 180 granted or pending additive fabrication patents globally. Stratasys products are used in the aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, business & industrial equipment, education, architecture, and consumer-product industries.