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Prototyping materials set for launch in 2005

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 16, 2004

DSM Somos reconfirmed Frankfurt's Euromold fair as its launch pad for new materials with the preview of two new ProtoFunctional families in line for commercialisation in 2005.

Building on its reputation as the industry innovator, DSM Somos reconfirmed Frankfurt's Euromold fair as its launch pad for new materials with the preview of two new ProtoFunctional families in line for commercialisation in 2005.

Advanced material technologies and comprehensive process knowhow by DSM Somos scientists have proven the exhibition to be a valuable shop window for the rapid prototyping industry.

Ty Bacon Marketing and Sales Manager, DSM Somos commented: "DSM Somos has won acclaim amongst industry experts for delivering innovative materials, a factor which has helped the business to consistently achieve double digit growth over the last several years".

"We believe that the two new materials previewed at Euromold 2004, a fire retardant material, and a low durometer material, confirm the company's ability to deliver leading edge SL materials for prototyping and rapid manufacturing applications".

Somos FR 16120, a new flame retardant ProtoFunctional material, has been accredited a V0 rating in accordance with UL94, the standard for flammability of plastic materials for parts in devices and appliances.

V0 accreditation indicates that the test was carried out with the material in a vertical position and denotes that the material is self-extinguishing.

The test is equivalent to ASTM D3801 and IEC60695-11-10(B).

This resin will meet the requirements for flame retardant prototypes and low volume production parts in the electronic, electrical and automotive industries.

Ideal for applications where toughness and flexibility are important, the new low durometer Somos ULM 17120 provides the highly elastic properties necessary to produce functional models of seals, gaskets, hoses, and flexible membranes.

Prototypes realised in Somos ULM SL resins will allow the RP industry to capitalise on the benefits of stereolithography, including enhanced accuracy and surface finish, in applications traditionally reserved to selective laser sintering (SLS) or through silicone moulding.

DSM Somos materials shown at Euromold 2003 and commercialised in 2004 have won unprecedented industry approval.

Since its announcement at Euromold 2003 and its commercial launch in 2004, Somos White 14120 has surpassed company expectations.

Commenting at this year's Euromold exhibition, Bacon said: "The unprecedented success of Somos White 14120 confirms the designer's need for highly stable and accurate parts with excellent properties and aesthetics similar to ABS".

"The resin's low viscosity, high photo-speed, and wide process window, as well as part stability over time, have also made it extremely popular with SL machine owners".

Part of the ProtoComposite family, NanoForm has a modulus of 5900MPa and HDT of 259C, combining the mechanical properties of glass-filled polyamide sintering materials with the accuracy and surface finish of stereolithography.

Since its announcement at Euromold 2003, NanoForm 15120 is enabling an increasing number of users to shorten prototyping cycles by eliminating the need for secondary tooling requirements in order to produce silicone parts.

The ceramic-like finish obtained by NanoForm allows a surface quality unlike traditional rapid prototyping materials, and is inspiring companies to create new applications and solutions based on direct manufacturing in the material.

On display was a mock-up of the patented x-3D system by ErgonixART which provides innovative solutions to museums and exhibitors for the sight impaired.

Guide rails with incorporated Braille symbols are realised directly in NanoForm and, thanks to the superior tactility, the systems can be directly mounted into display rooms without costly secondary production methods.

Injection moulding on a BabyPlast machine was conducted on the Somos stand in Frankfurt, using tools made directly in Somos ProtoTool 20L.

The industry's first ceramic-filled composite resin has a modulus of 10,000MPa and HDT of 279C.

Since its commercial launch in late 2003, ProtoTool has been successfully installed on numerous SL machines throughout Europe and the USA, confirming its commercial viability for producing parts for the aerospace, automotive and motorsport industries, among others.

Bacon said: "ProtoTool 20L is being used for direct moulds for production runs of 500 plus shots of PP, PET and ABS".

"Test runs with high specification engineering plastics such as Xenoy have also proved successful".