Product category:
Rapid Prototyping
News Release from: Unimatic Engineers | Subject: Solidscape
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 21 January 2004
Rapid prototyping machines build layer
on layer
Wax carving and other time consuming processes are no longer required for high precision 3D modelling and rapid prototyping.
Wax carving and other time consuming processes are no longer required for high precision 3D modelling and rapid prototyping, following the launch into the UK of the Solidscape range of master pattern-making systems by Unimatic Engineers Solidscape's 3D wax printing systems are computer controlled office peripherals that allow designers and engineers to go directly from CAD (computer aided design) files to investment castings or rubber mould creation
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 24 Feb 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Rapid prototyping turns the tide
Solidscape three dimensional printers create accurate models rapidly by building up layer on layer of wax-like material.
Jewellery students practice with rapid prototyping
One of the UK's top jewellery schools has invested in a Unimatic Solidscape rapid prototyping machine for modelling and rendering students' designs in 3D in wax.
They cut out the time, cost and effort of traditional techniques such as wax carving and lost wax casting, reducing time to market, development expenses and the inflexibility of older manual methods.
Furthermore, they offer the highest accuracy modelling methodology available on the market, with accuracy figures of 25um.
It is therefore not only faster and more flexible, but also more accurate than traditional methods.
There are two models available: the T66 which has a travel range of up to 150 x 150mm and the larger T612 with a travel range of 300 x 150mm.
Both create patterns in a proprietary thermoplastic, which is drop-applied in a series of layers, one on top of another.
The thickness of each layer can be between 0.013 and 0.076mm, depending on the speed of build or degree of detail required.
For creating cavities, overhangs and undercuts, a wax-type support material is deposited simultaneously (which is subsequently dissolved away), a technique which has proven to be almost completely free of breakages, chips, inaccuracies or follow-on processes associated with other methods.
Typically Solidscape equipment is housed in the drawing office and can communicate directly with most CAD programmes.
Once set up Solidscape systems can run unattended for long periods - unto 72h - so that productivity gains are easily achieved.
Designers in many fields are showing interest in the Solidscape concept, including jewellery designers, dental laboratories, medical instruments, implants and prostheses builders, turbine blade producers, consumer durables, automotive parts, and electronics.
Unimatic offers a full range of complementary software and machining centres, and is recognised as a leader in the supply of high precision rapid prototyping and production systems. Request a free brochure from Unimatic Engineers ...
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