Stratasys

Stratasys is an American-Israeli additive-manufacturing company whose principal business is the development and sale of polymer 3D-printing systems, production materials, workflow software, and on-demand printed parts. The company serves organizations that use additive manufacturing for concept modeling, engineering validation, tooling, customized healthcare products, education, and direct digital production. Its customers include automotive, aerospace, transportation, industrial, electronics, consumer-products, medical, dental, and recreational-equipment manufacturers. The company was founded in Minnesota in 1989 by S. Scott Crump and Lisa Crump. Scott Crump's original concept grew from an experiment involving a glue-gun-like device, polyethylene, and candle wax. The idea was to automate the creation of three-dimensional objects by depositing material layer by layer. This approach became fused deposition modeling, or FDM, one of the principal polymer additive-manufacturing processes. Stratasys sold its first commercial product, the 3D Modeler, in 1992 and later developed a broad portfolio of systems capable of processing engineering polymers such as ABS, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyphenylsulfone, and Nylon 12. Stratasys expanded through intellectual-property purchases, acquisitions, partnerships, and combinations with other 3D-printing companies. Its 1995 purchase of IBM's rapid-prototyping assets added engineers and technology related to extrusion-based printing. The 2012 merger with Israeli printer manufacturer Objet created a larger company with complementary FDM and PolyJet technologies and gave Stratasys a substantial Israeli operating base. Subsequent acquisitions included MakerBot, Solidscape, Solid Concepts, Harvest Technologies, Origin, Xaar 3D, RP Support, Riven, and Covestro's additive-manufacturing materials business. The company has also invested in or acquired technology from businesses working in large-format printing, production polymers, quality assurance, continuous carbon-fiber reinforcement, and other specialized processes. Stratasys's product strategy spans several additive-manufacturing methods. FDM systems extrude thermoplastic filament to build parts layer by layer and are used for prototyping, jigs, fixtures, tooling, and production components. PolyJet systems deposit and cure photopolymer droplets, enabling fine detail, smooth surfaces, multi-material parts, and color or transparency effects. The company also markets stereolithography, selective absorption fusion, digital-light-based production, dental-material, and related solutions through its acquired technologies and brands. Its software portfolio supports preparation, workflow management, quality assurance, production monitoring, and the connection of design data to physical manufacturing. The company has used its technology beyond conventional factory prototyping. It collaborated on the Urbee concept vehicle, helped produce a later electric-car prototype with 3D-printed exterior panels, and supported fashion and museum work, including garments designed by Noa Raviv. In healthcare, Stratasys has developed dental and medical applications, including the TrueDent monolithic digital-denture solution. In 2025, it expanded the European distribution of TrueDent and broadened its materials capabilities through the acquisition of assets associated with Forward AM Technologies. Stratasys is incorporated in Israel while maintaining major United States operations and a global commercial presence. It is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol SSYS. The company's attempted 2023 combination with Desktop Metal was terminated after Stratasys shareholders voted against the transaction. Stratasys remains an independent additive-manufacturing company focused particularly on polymer systems, materials, software, and digitally produced parts.

Stratasys began in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, in 1989, when S. Scott Crump and Lisa Crump established the company around an automated layer-by-layer method for making three-dimensional polymer objects. Scott Crump had developed the concept after experimenting with a glue-gun-style device loaded with a mixture of polyethylene and candle wax while making a toy for his daughter. The underlying principle became fused deposition modeling, in which thermoplastic material is deposited in successive layers from digital design data. The company commercialized its first product, the 3D Modeler, in April 1992. Stratasys subsequently developed FDM into a family of systems used for design verification, prototyping, development, tooling, and manufacturing. Its technology was intended to make parts directly from computer-aided-design files, reducing the need for conventional molds and machining during early product development. By 2003, FDM was described as the best-selling rapid-prototyping technology, and by 2007 Stratasys accounted for a substantial share of installed additive-fabrication systems worldwide. Stratasys went public on Nasdaq in October 1994. In January 1995, it acquired rapid-prototyping intellectual property and related assets from IBM, along with a group of former IBM engineers whose work involved an extrusion system related to FDM. The company continued to extend its technology and commercial reach through partnerships. In 2010, it entered an agreement to manufacture HP-branded 3D printers; that manufacturing and distribution arrangement ended in 2012. Acquisitions became a central part of Stratasys's development. In 2011, it purchased Solidscape, known for high-precision systems used in lost-wax casting applications. In 2012, Stratasys merged with Objet, an Israeli manufacturer whose PolyJet technology complemented Stratasys's extrusion systems. The transaction closed in December 2012 and created a larger American-Israeli additive-manufacturing company. Stratasys acquired MakerBot in 2013, adding a prominent desktop and prosumer 3D-printing business. In 2014, it acquired Solid Concepts and Harvest Technologies and combined them with RedEye to form a broader digital-manufacturing services operation. The company expanded into additional production technologies during the following decade. It invested in Massivit and Inkbit, acquired Origin in 2020, acquired outstanding shares of Xaar 3D in 2021, and acquired RP Support, a producer of large stereolithography systems. The Origin acquisition brought programmable photopolymerization technology and the Origin One production printer. Xaar 3D contributed selective absorption fusion technology, later associated with the H350 system for producing polymer parts at volume. Stratasys also participated in the 2022 combination of MakerBot and Ultimaker, acquired quality-assurance software company Riven in 2022, and completed the purchase of Covestro's additive-manufacturing materials business in 2023. Stratasys has applied its systems in industrial design, automotive development, fashion, museums, and healthcare. The Urbee project, created with KOR Ecologic, was an early vehicle concept associated with additive manufacturing of bodywork and windows. In 2014, Stratasys technology was used in an electric-car prototype featuring 3D-printed exterior panels and selected interior components. Fashion designer Noa Raviv used the technology in a collection later represented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 2016 'Manus X Machina' exhibition. In healthcare, the company developed dental and medical printing applications, including TrueDent, which entered the European market in 2025. The company has also faced questions involving the permissible use of 3D printers. In 2012, it refused to allow an unrelated Defense Distributed firearm-printing project to use a Stratasys printer and withdrew the relevant license, citing its policy against illegal uses. In 2024, Stratasys filed a patent-infringement case against Bambu Lab. The company has continued to expand its intellectual-property and materials portfolio, including an acquisition of Arevo's continuous-carbon-fiber printing intellectual property in 2024 and key assets and operations associated with Forward AM Technologies in 2025. A proposed 2023 all-stock merger with Desktop Metal, valued at approximately $1.8 billion, represented an attempt to create a broader additive-manufacturing platform. Stratasys shareholders voted against the transaction, and the company terminated it in September 2023. Stratasys remains active as an independently listed company, serving industrial and healthcare customers with polymer printers, materials, software, and production services.

1. 2025TrueDent launches in Europe

   Stratasys brings its TrueDent digital-denture solution to the European dental market.

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2. 2024Arevo intellectual property acquired

   Stratasys acquires the intellectual-property portfolio of Arevo related to continuous carbon-fiber 3D printing.

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3. 2023Covestro materials business acquired

   Stratasys completes the acquisition of Covestro's additive-manufacturing materials business.

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4. 2023Desktop Metal transaction terminated

   Stratasys ends its proposed combination with Desktop Metal after shareholder opposition.

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5. 2022Riven acquired

   Stratasys acquires Riven, a company focused on quality-assurance software for additive manufacturing.

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6. 2021Production-technology portfolio broadened

   Stratasys acquires the outstanding shares of Xaar 3D and announces the acquisition of RP Support.

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7. 2020Origin acquisition announced

   Stratasys announces an agreement to acquire Origin and its programmable photopolymerization technology.

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8. 2014Digital-manufacturing services expanded

   Stratasys acquires Solid Concepts and Harvest Technologies and combines them with RedEye.

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9. 2013MakerBot acquired

   Stratasys acquires MakerBot Industries.

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10. 2012Objet merger completed

    Stratasys completes its merger with Objet, combining FDM and PolyJet capabilities.

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11. 2011Solidscape acquired

    Stratasys acquires Solidscape, a specialist in precision printing for lost-wax casting.

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12. 1995IBM rapid-prototyping assets acquired

    Stratasys acquires IBM rapid-prototyping intellectual property and related assets, together with a group of engineers.

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13. 1994Initial public offering

    Stratasys completes an initial public offering on Nasdaq.

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14. 1992First commercial 3D printer

    Stratasys sells its first product, the 3D Modeler.

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15. 1989Stratasys is founded

    S. Scott Crump and Lisa Crump establish Stratasys in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

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A global industrial additive-manufacturing specialist positioned around reliable polymer production, engineering-grade materials, multi-material and full-color prototyping, dental and medical applications, and the transition from prototype production to serial manufacturing.

• FDM systemsIndustrial polymer 3D printers

  Stratasys's fused deposition modeling systems extrude thermoplastic materials through a heated nozzle and construct parts layer by layer. The technology is used for engineering prototypes, design verification, jigs, fixtures, tooling, and selected production applications. Supported materials include engineering polymers such as ABS, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyphenylsulfone, and Nylon 12.

• PolyJet systemsMulti-material polymer 3D printers

  PolyJet systems deposit and cure very small droplets of photopolymer material. They are designed for highly detailed prototypes, smooth surfaces, color models, transparent parts, and multi-material simulations. The technology is used widely in product design, automotive development, consumer-products engineering, medical modeling, and visual communication.

• J750Full-color and multi-material 3D printer

  The J750 is a PolyJet platform intended for detailed, full-color, multi-material prototyping. It enables designers and engineers to represent visual appearance and selected material characteristics in a single printed model. The system received a 2019 3D Printing Industry Award in the enterprise polymer-printer category.

• Origin OneProduction polymer 3D printer2021

  Origin One is a production-oriented printer derived from Origin's programmable photopolymerization technology. It is aimed at manufacturing applications requiring repeatability, engineering materials, and a path from digital part files to end-use polymer components.

• H350Polymer production 3D printer2021

  The H350 uses selective absorption fusion technology associated with Xaar 3D. It is designed for volume production of polymer parts and extends Stratasys's portfolio beyond filament extrusion and photopolymer jetting into powder-bed-based production.

• TrueDentDigital dentistry materials and workflow2025

  TrueDent is a digital-denture solution for producing monolithic dentures through additive manufacturing. It combines a dedicated dental material and digital production workflow and was introduced to the European market in 2025.

• RedEye digital manufacturing servicesOn-demand manufacturing

  RedEye and the manufacturing-services businesses combined with it provide digitally produced parts, prototypes, tooling, and related production support. The service model complements Stratasys equipment sales by allowing customers to outsource additive-manufacturing work.

• 2014Noa Raviv 3D-printed fashion collaboration

  Fashion · United States · International

  Stratasys technology was used in Israeli designer Noa Raviv's grid-patterned couture collection. Selected pieces were later shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 'Manus X Machina' exhibition in 2016.

  Outcome. The project demonstrated additive manufacturing's use in haute couture and museum-quality design.

  Source
• 20143D-printed electric-car prototype

  Automotive · Global

  Stratasys prototyped an electric car using an Objet1000 system to produce exterior panels and selected interior parts.

  Outcome. The year-long project illustrated the potential of large-format polymer printing for automotive prototyping.

  Source
• 2010Urbee concept vehicle

  Automotive · Canada · International

  Stratasys worked with Canadian engineering group KOR Ecologic on Urbee, a hybrid vehicle concept associated with additive-manufactured bodywork and windows.

  Outcome. The project became an early public demonstration of large-scale 3D printing for vehicle design.

  Source

• 2025European launch of TrueDentProduct launch

  Stratasys sought to extend its digital-dentistry business in the European market.

  What changed. The company launched its TrueDent monolithic digital-denture solution in Europe and added distribution arrangements with Galimplant, Gold Quadrat, and Métaux Précieux.

  Aftermath. The moves expanded Stratasys's regional dental distribution and production offering.

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• 2023Proposed combination with Desktop MetalM&A

  Stratasys and Desktop Metal proposed an all-stock combination intended to create a larger additive-manufacturing platform.

  What changed. The companies announced the transaction, but Stratasys shareholders later voted against it and the company terminated the deal.

  Aftermath. Stratasys remained independent while acquisition proposals from Nano Dimension and 3D Systems had also been considered during the transaction period.

  Proposed transaction value. (2023 announced value)

  • 3D Systems — 3D Systems submitted a separate acquisition proposal during the period surrounding the proposed Desktop Metal transaction.
  • Nano Dimension — Nano Dimension made unsolicited approaches to acquire Stratasys.
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• 2012Defense Distributed printer-license withdrawalOther

  An unrelated Defense Distributed project intended to use a Stratasys printer in work involving a functional 3D-printed firearm.

  What changed. Stratasys refused permission and withdrew the printer license, citing its prohibition on illegal uses of its equipment.

  Aftermath. The episode highlighted the legal and safety issues surrounding additive manufacturing of weapons and other restricted objects.

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• 2012Merger with ObjetM&A

  Stratasys sought to combine its extrusion-based FDM business with Objet's PolyJet technology and Israeli operations.

  What changed. The companies entered an all-stock merger, completed in December 2012.

  Aftermath. The combined company gained a broader polymer-printing portfolio and became a major American-Israeli additive-manufacturing group.

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• 2025TrueDent launches in Europe

  Stratasys introduced its TrueDent monolithic digital-denture solution to the European dental market.

  Product launch
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• 2025Stratasys expands European dental distribution

  The company announced additional European distribution arrangements for its dental business involving Galimplant, Gold Quadrat, and Métaux Précieux.

  Other
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• 2025Stratasys recognized by Fast Company

  Fast Company included Stratasys in its World’s Most Innovative Companies list, citing advances in polymer 3D-printing technology.

  Other
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• 2024Stratasys files patent-infringement suit against Bambu Lab

  Stratasys sued Chinese 3D-printer company Bambu Lab, alleging infringement of Stratasys patents.

  Lawsuit
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• 2023Stratasys agrees to combine with Desktop Metal

  Stratasys announced an all-stock combination with Desktop Metal valued at approximately $1.8 billion. The proposed transaction was later rejected by Stratasys shareholders and terminated.

  M&A
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• 2023Stratasys receives competing acquisition approaches

  Nano Dimension, which held a stake in Stratasys, made unsolicited approaches, while 3D Systems also submitted an acquisition proposal during the period surrounding the Desktop Metal transaction.

  M&A
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• 2023Stratasys terminates Desktop Metal transaction

  The proposed Desktop Metal combination ended after Stratasys shareholders voted against it, following opposition from major proxy-advisory firms.

  M&A
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1. Stratasys