Feb 4 2010
Instituto Tecnologico Y De Estudios Superiores De Monterrey (ITESM), one of the largest and most respected universities in Mexico, today announced its purchase of the world's most robust and qualitative 3D printer: the Connex500™ by Objet Geometries. ITESM is the first academic organization in Latin America to acquire the advanced rapid prototyping system.
ITESM is installing the Connex500 in the Advanced Industrial Design Laboratory located in the CIEN park of ITESM Leon, the institution's new center for innovation and excellence. Starting in February 2010, the Connex500 will support research activities within its bachelor's degree programs in Engineering, Digital Arts and Industrial Design.
"The Connex is unmatched in its ability to offer virtually unlimited opportunities for printing multiple materials," says Fabiola Cortes, Director of Industrial Design of Campus Leon. "Offering our students access to the best technology available in the market will contribute to our ability to cultivate and prime the next generation of design and product development innovators."
Launched in 2007, the Connex500 represents the first-ever system to allow 3D printing of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties simultaneously. Its patented PolyJet Matrix™ Technology jets materials in ultra-thin layers, immediately curing each layer with UV light – a process which yields models that closely emulate the look, feel and function of an exceptionally wide variety of end products. In addition, the system allows users to create composite materials that have pre-set combinations of mechanical properties, also a first for the industry. Today, the only other 3D printer offering these capabilities is Objet's Connex350™, unveiled in June 2009.
"Latin America is a strategic market for our company for 2010 and beyond. We are extremely pleased seeing a leading academic institute as ITESM understand that the Connex brings unmatched added value to its organization. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with ITESM to exploit the Connex capabilities," said Gilad Gans, Executive Vice President of Objet Geometries. "We pride ourselves on leading innovation in the 3D printing industry, and are always thrilled to work with others that operate by these same, high-level standards."