Tooling experts to assess composite SL materials

A DSM Somos product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 8, 2005

A new 6-month development initiative is designed to drive further advancements in rapid tooling applications for composite SL materials.

DSM Somos has gathered tooling experts from around the country to take part in a Rapid Tooling Round Table - a 6-month development initiative designed to drive further advancements in rapid tooling applications for composite SL materials.

Phase 1 of the initiative has begun, with emphasis on moulds used for short run injection moulding.

"The Round Table is a unique effort whereby Somos has brought together a wide range of key industry players - from OEMs, design houses, service bureaus and even universities - to share their collective knowledge and experience and, ultimately, drive technical advancements for an entire industry", says Somos Marketing Manager Eva Montgomery.

DSM Somos introduced the first composite SL resin, ProtoTool 20L, to the marketplace in 2003.

In 2004, it followed with introduction of the nanostructured SL composite NanoForm.

With performance features not available from neat SL resins, including high heat deflection temperatures (above 260C) and high stiffness (more than 6900MPa), these highly filled materials have since expanded opportunities for new rapid prototyping applications, including rapid tooling.

"Composite SL resins are certainly commanding attention from the rapid tooling industry", says Montgomery.

"But the full potential of these materials for commercial tooling applications has yet to be realised in the marketplace".

"That's what the Round Table intends to address".

Specific objectives for the DSM Somos Rapid Tooling Round Table initiative include a full evaluation of the cost effectiveness of SL rapid tooling as compared with CNC machined aluminium and cast epoxy tooling (two of the most commonly used rapid tooling methods), as well as the establishment of reliability and robustness parameters of SL composite tools.

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