How Microsoft is accelerating hardware development with the Stratasys F370 3D printer

Additive manufacturing is becoming a key part of hardware development, even at companies like Microsoft. At its Advanced Prototyping Center (APC) in Redmond - a technology hub of approximately 2,400 m² - prototypes and test solutions are created that link design to real-world deployment.

One of the key tools here is industrial 3D printing, specifically Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, which enables the rapid production of functional products directly within the development process.

The challenge: rapid hardware testing and validation

Reliability and real-world testing are essential in device development. Each product requires specific test fixtures that match its design.

The traditional production of these fixtures has been:

• time consuming (days to weeks),
• manually complex,
• difficult to modify when design changes were made.

For a company like Microsoft, which builds on the "Fail Fast" principle , this represented a major limitation on the speed of development.

Solution: industrial 3D printing of fixtures using FDM

Microsoft has therefore implemented the Stratasys F370 3D printer, which allows to significantly streamline the entire development and testing process. With a direct link to CAD data, test fixtures can be designed and manufactured in hours, not days. This significantly speeds up iterations and allows flexibility to react to design changes during development.

The ability to produce even complex geometries without the need for machining or external manufacturing is also a major advantage. FDM technology, which works on the principle of thermoplastic extrusion, thus provides sufficient strength and precision to produce functional test fixtures, inspection tools and prototypes that can be used in real-life applications.

Technical parameters of the solution

The Stratasys F370 3D printer (F123 series) offers parameters important for industrial deployment:

• build volume: 355 × 254 × 355 mm
• layer height: 0.127-0.330 mm
• materials: ABS-M30, ASA, PC-ABS, Nylon (PA)
• supports: soluble (SR-30)
• closed tempered chamber for stable printing
• automatic calibration for repeatable production

This enables the production of dimensionally accurate and mechanically robust fixtures with minimal variability between prints.

The result: faster development and higher quality testing

The deployment of 3D printing has brought several major benefits in the Microsoft environment. First and foremost, lead times for test fixture production have been significantly reduced, allowing for faster testing and validation of individual components. This allows development teams to react flexibly to design changes and perform more iterations in less time.

At the same time, the need for manual labour and the overall costs associated with fixture production have been reduced. In addition, additive manufacturing makes it possible to realize complex shapes that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional methods. The result is a more efficient development process, higher quality testing and faster time to market.

Practical experience

"My favourite characteristic of the F370 is that it runs like a tank - it is extremely reliable, consistently produces accurate parts and requires minimal set-up and maintenance. The dissolvable supports and easy layer height adjustment make it a very versatile additive manufacturing tool."

Mark Honschke, RP Team Leader

3D printing as the standard for modern development

The Microsoft case shows that industrial 3D printing is not just a tool for prototyping, but a key part of digital manufacturing and hardware development.

FDM technology enables companies to:

• speed up the development cycle,
• reduce testing costs,
• and respond efficiently to design changes in real time.

Wondering how industrial 3D printing can also make your development or manufacturing more efficient? Contact us and we'll be happy to walk you through the specific possibilities of using FDM technology in your operation - from selecting the right solution to implementing it.