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High-speed liquid photopolymer for laser systems

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 12, 2001

DSM Somos has announced the introduction of its latest Protofunctional prototyping resin, Somos 9110, for He-Cd laser systems such as 3D Systems SLA-250.

DSM Somos has announced the introduction of its latest Protofunctional prototyping resin, Somos 9110, for He-Cd laser systems such as 3D Systems SLA-250.

Somos 9110 replicates many of polypropylene's mechanical properties including tensile strength, modulus and appearance.

Somos 9110 is a high-speed liquid photopolymer for use on He-Cd laser stereolithography machines that produces robust, functional, and accurate parts.

Wide processing latitude, excellent tolerance to a broad temperature and humidity range during and after build, as well as superior chemical resistance are among the material properties of Somos 9110 which responds to both the prototyper's and the design engineer's needs.

Kevin Dyer, President of Interpro Rapid Technologies, is enthusiastic about the new material which allows the company to utilize the 9100 series also on its SLA-250 machine.

"Our customers' demand for the Somos 9100 series of products continues to grow on a daily basis.

This family of Somos resins offers many advantages which allow the production of prototypes that can withstand a variety of rigorous tests without failing." "This is the first of five new Somos stereolithography products that will be commercialized in the upcoming months," states Charlie Kaufmann, marketing manager of DSM Somos.

"Somos 9110 differentiates itself from other competitive products by providing a broad process robustness regardless of environmental conditions - a trademark of all commercial Somos resins.

Somos 9110 is also an indication of DSM's commitment to introduce new materials for all stereolithography laser platforms in conjunction with the development of next generation material properties that mimic popular engineering plastics." Somos 9110 is part of the Somos 9100 series of ProtoFunctional materials.

Providing a good balance of properties between rigidity and functionality, these materials are successfully being used in applications where durability and robustness are critical requirements - such as automobile components, electronic housings, medical products, large panels and snap-fit parts.

The 9100 series also includes Somos 9100 - optimized for use on Ar+ laser stereolithography systems and Somos 9120 - optimized for stereolithography platforms using Solid State Lasers.

DSM Somos and Sibco, distributor of Somos materials in the UK, will be present with an exhibitor stand at the TCT 2001 Exhibition (26-27 September - Manchester, UK).

Visitors to the stand may receive a complementary cd-Rom which discusses the variety of new Somos technologies and materials soon to be introduced on the market, as well as viewing for the first time in the UK a product realized in the new transparent epoxy resin Somos WaterClear 10120.

Stereolithography is a layer additive rapid-prototyping process based on the use of photopolymer liquid resins which solidify when exposed to UV light.

A software program transfers the designer's 3-D CAD model into an electronic file ('STL' format) for stereolithography machines, composing the information into thin cross sections or layers.

A laser beam then traces each layer onto the surface of a vat of photopolymer resin, building the part in repeated layers until a solid replica of the original CAD model is completed.

DSM Somos ProtoFunctional resins range from the industry's first flexible resins for material properties similar to polyethylene (Somos 8100 series) or polypropylene (Somos 9100 series) to the latest generation of heat-resistant, humidity-tolerant, high-accuracy epoxy resins suitable for investment casting and direct tooling applications (Somos 7100 series).

Each family of Somos photopolymer epoxy resins is comprised of materials singularly formulated and optimised for the variety of stereolithography platforms commercially available: Somos XX'00' resins are for use in Argon ion laser systems; Somos XX'10' for Helio Cadmium laser systems; Somos XX'20' resins for platforms utilising Solid State laser systems.

DSM Somos also offers materials for selective laser sintering and is the first manufacturer of powder elastomeric polymer (Somos 201) that can be sintered to produce highly flexible parts with "rubber like" characteristics.