Case Study: Tempest Tool & Machine, Inc. achieves 95% labor cost savings and fully clean internal cavities with Stratasys WSS150 water‑soluble support

Tempest Tool & Machine, Inc. making an impact with water soluble support material

Tempest Tool & Machine, Inc., a 40‑year metrology firm serving automotive customers like Cummins, produces small-scale transparent 3D‑printed engine components used as training tools and gifts. They struggled to remove support material from internal cavities and long channels — even water-jetting couldn’t reach those hidden areas — so they turned to Stratasys and its J55 Prime 3D printer using WSS™150 water‑soluble support.

Using the Stratasys J55™ Prime with WSS™150, Tempest soaked parts overnight in tap water and achieved parts that were 100% clean and clear of support by morning; dissolved support was then solidified with Stratasys L2S™ powder and disposed of as non‑hazardous waste. The Stratasys solution delivered a hands-off process, cut cleanup labor by 95% (reducing cost from $240 to $12), improved throughput and sustainability, and is now used across Tempest’s prints.

Tempest Tool & Machine, Inc.

Brian Tempest

Design Engineer