Stratasys Program Brings Enterprise Software Connectivity to 3D Printing

Stratasys’ GrabCAD Software Development Kit (SDK) integrates its 3D printers in production environments with the factory floor. Each SDK package includes application programming interfaces, documentation and code samples that enable development partners and manufacturing customers to establish two-way connectivity between Stratasys FDM 3D printers and enterprise software applications. The program gives customers the power to integrate, manage and support additive manufacturing for production of end-use parts.

Initial partners for the GrabCAD SDK program include Link3D, a leader in additive workflow and manufacturing execution system software, and Identify3D, which provides software that enables security, usage control and traceability of design and manufacturing data across the digital supply chain.

The program is designed to enable full integration with the smart factory to give customers the speed and agility benefits that only additive manufacturing can provide. According to the company, improved API connectivity could open the door to new business models, such as enabling airlines to 3D print their own spare parts with license keys from aerospace company OEMs.

Similarly, global manufacturers could more easily make on-the-fly decisions about where to produce parts in different locations through automated software integrated with global networks of 3D printers. In fact, cloud-based workflow software was essential to Stratasys’ COVID-19 Coalition which produced 250,000 face shields across more than 100 coalition partners in 2020.

The first two available SDK packages enable customers and partners to integrate with GrabCAD Print software and Stratasys manufacturing systems, including the F900, Fortus 450mc, and Stratasys F123 Series of FDM 3D printers. The Printer Connectivity package integrates Stratasys printers with enterprise applications such as ERP, PLM, digital rights management, and MES systems to enable automation and production data collection & analytics. The PLM package integrates GrabCAD Print with PLM vaulting and file management to streamline the job programming workflow.