Rapid prototyping materials set the standard

A Moog product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 12, 2008

Materials create small and large Pro Parts with beautiful surfaces, fine features and crisp edges, delivering the quality and feel of injection-moulded polypropylene, ABS and polycarbonate.

American Precision Prototyping (APP) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has selected the 3D Systems' Accura family of materials exclusively for its entire SLA rapid prototyping and manufacturing operations to deliver proven, dependable Pro Parts.

APP is an authorised 3D Systems Preferred Service Provider that operates multiple 3D Systems' stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) systems.

APP provides fast, high-quality rapid prototypes and end-use parts, instant online quotes and other innovative manufacturing solutions.

Capitalising on the growing demand for precision, high - performance, quality parts, this industry-leading service bureau moved all of its production to 3D Systems' Accura line of SLA materials as well as to DuraForm materials for its SLS operations.

The patented Accura portfolio of engineered materials is used to build highly accurate, ready-to-use, smooth parts of various sises and geometries in hours.

These materials, in combination with 3D Systems' equipment, create small and large Pro Parts with beautiful surfaces, fine features and crisp edges, delivering the quality and feel of injection-moulded polypropylene, ABS and polycarbonate, without moulding, tooling, dies or traditional machining.

As a sole Accura Pro Parts provider, APP offers a comprehensive selection of Accura materials, including the new, tough, grey-moulded, ABS-like Accura Xtreme Plastic; the rigid engineered nanocomposite, Accura Bluestone material, designed for motorsport and aerospace applications; and the popular, clear Accura 60 Plastic that has the properties and appearance of polycarbonate.

"I am pleased to be offering the full line of Accura materials to APP customers", says Jason Dickman, APP's President.

"Accura materials are the broadest range of materials available and meet the demands of virtually any application".

"I have been in the RP industry for many years and have witnessed first-hand the evolution of stereolithography materials from the early acrylate materials that yielded inaccurate, brittle parts to those today that are closer to production-grade materials than ever before".

"The Accura materials line really exemplifies the commitment of 3D Systems to the development of cutting-edge SL materials that push the envelope of traditional prototyping materials and bring customers closer to production parts".

"It is a testament to the breadth, differentiation and functionality of our SLA materials' portfolio that a leading service bureau has chosen to go 100% Accura for its stereolithography materials", says Abe Reichental, 3D Systems' President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Accura materials are fast becoming an industry-leading brand, further enhancing our Pro Part solutions".

"The word is getting out that our expertly engineered materials bring a whole new dimension to part design and fabrication, delivering a new level of accuracy, speed, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and superior quality".