Case Study: Microsoft achieves rapid, precise shield‑can prototyping with Stratasys PolyJet (J850 Prime)

How Microsoft Optimized Tooling for Shield Metal Prototyping with Stratasys' PolyJet Technology

Microsoft’s Advanced Prototyping Center in Redmond needed a faster, more flexible way to prototype thin sheet‑metal shield cans that protect electronics. Traditional tooling was slow, costly, and forced designers to restart tooling for even small changes, while direct 3D printing of thin metal parts wasn’t practical—so Microsoft adopted Stratasys’ PolyJet™ technology, employing systems such as the J850 Prime (and capabilities from the J8 Series) to produce high‑precision 3D‑printed tooling.

Stratasys’ PolyJet solution produced tooling with up to 14‑micron resolution using Vero and Digital ABS Plus materials, enabling sharp corners, undercuts and complex surfaces that are difficult to machine. The result for Microsoft was dramatically reduced lead times, far more design iterations and quicker engineering decisions—delivering swifter, more accurate shield‑can prototypes and a significantly accelerated development process thanks to Stratasys.

Microsoft

Karsten Aagaard

Principal Model-Maker