T-Rex Skull Adds to MakerBot Academy Curriculum; T-Rex Skeleton Available on MakerBot Digital Store

BROOKLYN, N.Y.--Adventurous 3D print fans have some new 3D models to get excited about this week. The MakerBot® Digital Store is thrilled to announce two new models that take 3D printing to a whole new level and time. MakerBot is introducing the T-Rex Skeleton, an anatomically correct, realistic and scaled model of a full Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton! This giant lived in the forested river valleys of North America 65 million years ago and has always been a favorite of 3D modelers, but very challenging to sculpt and 3D print. Also being introduced is a large-scale T-Rex Skull as part of the MakerBot AcademySM curriculum offered to educators. The T-Rex Skeleton is available for $14.99 on the MakerBot Digital Store - makerbot.com/digitalstore; the T-Rex Skull is available for free on Thingiverse.com/curriculum.

"These new T. rex additions to Thingiverse and the MakerBot Digital Store are really cool," noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. "As a former teacher, I think having 3D models of the T. rex dinosaur that can teach and entertain is pretty neat. I am so excited to 3D print and assemble the T-Rex Skeleton and I can't wait to see what teachers do with the T-Rex Skull in their classrooms. Having these models available helps bring out the inner paleontologist in all of us. They are both educational and works of art."

In addition to offering the two new T. rex 3D models, MakerBot is holding a T-Rex Skull Remix Flash Challenge! For one week Thingiverse® members can make the T-Rex Skull the "King of Dinosaurs" by adding something fun to the T-Rex Skull. Whether participants give the T-Rex Skull a crown, a top hat or some other appendage, this fun challenge is geared to inspire schools and Thingiverse users to think beyond the normal limits of standard models and really embrace this opportunity to make one their own. Entries must be tagged #TRexRemix and uploaded to Thingiverse between May 6 and May 13 at 11:59 (ET). Winning remixes will be featured on Thingiverse, and three winners will receive MakerBot PLA Filament and a free download of the MakerBot Digital Store T-Rex Skeleton.

The MakerBot T-Rex Skeleton is a scaled, realistic and anatomically correct model of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton (Tyrannosaurus means "tyrant lizard"). This fairly complex model showcases advanced sculpting by the MakerBot Studio design team and is geared toward education, functional use and scientific content. The MakerBot T-Rex Skeleton contains 19 files for a total of 79 pieces; pieces are numbered/labeled and come with assembly instructions.

The MakerBot Digital Store provides original, fun and collectible digital content for the new MakerBot Replicator® Desktop 3D Printer, the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer, and the soon-to-be released MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer and MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer. The 3D files available from the MakerBot Digital Store are high-quality, MakerBot-verified, printable and paintable digital 3D models and collections that are expertly sculpted by the MakerBot Studio design team. The models are designed to print immediately upon download of their .x3g files. There is no preparation and the 3D printed pieces snap together without glue.

The MakerBot T-Rex Skeleton model can be purchased and downloaded from the MakerBot Digital Store for $14.99. The T. Rex Skull is available for free on Thingiverse.com/curriculum.

About MakerBot

MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd., is leading the Next Industrial Revolution by setting the standards in reliable and affordable desktop 3D printing. Founded in 2009, MakerBot has built the largest installed base of desktop 3D printers sold to innovative and industry-leading customers worldwide, including engineers, architects, designers, educators and consumers. The MakerBot 3D Ecosystem drives accessibility and rapid adoption of 3D printing and includes Thingiverse.com, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, the MakerBot Replicator line of Desktop 3D Printers, MakerBot Desktop, the MakerBot MakerCare® Protection Plan, the MakerBot Retail Stores and strategic partnerships with top-tier brands. MakerBot has been honored with many accolades, including Popular Mechanics' "Overall Winner" for best 3D printer, Time's "Best Inventions of 2012," Popular Mechanics' "Editor's Choice Award," Popular Science's "Product of the Year," Fast Company's "One of the World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Consumer Electronics" and many more. Join the Next Industrial Revolution by following MakerBot at makerbot.com.

Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and Rehovot, Israel, is a leading global provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions. The company's patented FDM® and PolyJetTM 3D Printing technologies produce prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include 3D printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital manufacturing. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape, and the company operates the RedEye digital-manufacturing service. Stratasys has more than 1800 employees, holds over 550 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 25 awards for its technology and leadership. Online at: www.stratasys.com or http://blog.stratasys.com.