New DSM Somos ProtoFunctional materials allow increased aesthetics and efficiency savings in the demanding arena of rapid prototyping
AXIS France <www.axishello.com>, a rapid prototyping service bureau (Limoges, France), is setting new industry standards in the medical and cosmetics world through the use of innovative ProtoFunctional technologies that allow greater time savings and esthetically functional prototypes, previously unavailable to the market. AXIS was the first company in France to begin using the new WaterShed™ resins by DSM Somos for prototype development, and the benefits are rapidly helping to establish the young company as a superior solutions provider.
Commercialized by DSM Somos in 2002, and running at AXIS since July of the same year, WaterShed™ is significantly more stable and resilient than previous stereolithography materials available on the market. Its long-term stability is due partially to its extremely low moisture absorption rate, which at 0.24% is approximately 80% lower than other commonly used stereolithography resins. The mechanical properties of WaterShed™ mimic those of the engineered thermoplastic PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
'It is this combination of properties’, says AXIS General Manager, Patrick Cristoux, ‘which has enabled us to offer an increasing number of clients, particularly in the cosmetic and medical industries, significant improvements in technical product quality, efficiency and cost. The beauty of working with WaterShed™ is that we can now, for the first time, offer clients a single, accurate, aesthetically pleasing and stable prototype which can be used for both design approval and silicone molding.’
Extremely low rates of water absorption
Moisture absorption, through direct contact with water or exposure to humidity, is known to degrade mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy in stereolithography prototypes. Testing has shown that high humidity can decrease tensile and flexural properties by 80% in only one month and limit applications in long term studies.
‘This’ continues Patrick Cristoux, ‘is one of the main drawbacks of many stereolithography materials and the one great advantage of WaterShed™. As soon as we had made the initial test on WaterShed™ we were convinced the material would support the AXIS vision of providing customers with access to leading edge technologies, backed by a round-the-clock, round-the-year commitment to service and exceedingly fast response times. With WaterShed™, we are now able to present clients with a one-stop solution in the form of a single SL prototype which permits cost savings in prototyping costs, but also significant time savings. The very same stereolithography model in WaterShed™, once approved for function and design can also be used for silicon molding. We really believe that, thanks to WaterShed™, AXIS is opening up the rapid-tooling possibilities for a wide-range of clients in the cosmetics, medical, electric, packaging, aerospace and automotive industries.’
What is stereolithography?
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 for stereolithography machines ('STL' format), 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 for stereolithography
DSM Somos has commercialized an entire range of ProtoFunctional resins to respond to the needs of new product development and industrial design. Among the most recent advancements is the new ACT-SL™ technology of ProtoComposites™ materials, which currently include the new ProtoTool™ and SolidCast™ filled materials. Traditional un-filled ProtoFunctional materials meet a demanding range of mechanical properties and include WaterShed™ 11100 for optical clarity and superior humidity resistance; ProtoTherm™ 12100 for superior heat resistance ; Raven™ 7600 which creates dark colored, rigid prototypes; WaterClear™ 10100 series, the industry’s first transparent, tough and durable resins; and the Somos 9100 series which allows material properties similar to polypropylene, with superior mechanical memory.
Each family of Somos photopolymer epoxy resins is comprised of materials specially formulated and optimised for the variety of stereolithography platforms commercially available (Argon ion, Helium Cadmium and Solid State laser systems). Industry operators can find ulterior information on the web site or send an email to: <Europe@dsmsomos.info>.
Product data sheets for the entire line of DSM Somos material technologies are available on the company web site <www.dsmsomos.com>, under ”Downloads, Product Data Sheets”.
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.
DSM Somos (Delaware, USA), focused on innovative rapid prototyping materials, is a business unit of DSM Desotech, world leaders in the creation of UV curable materials. DSM is a highly integrated group of companies with worldwide interests in life-science products, performance materials and chemicals. DSM recorded sales of EUR 8.1 billion in 2000 and employs a total workforce of some 22,000, distributed in more than 200 operations throughout the world.
About AXIS:
Founded in May 1997 AXIS offers a full range of rapid prototyping services, including Stereolithgography, SLS and SDM. The company is headquartered in Limoges (France) and serves a range of leading companies in the electric, packaging, aerospace and automotive industries, including VALEO, LEGRAND, HUTCHINSON, PEUGEOT, TETRAPACK and QUANTEL as well as prestige clients in the cosmetics and medical sectors.
AXIS
Tel: +33 (0) 555 06 17 17, Fax +33 (0) 555 06 38 39
e.mail: axis@axishello.com
www.axishello.com
For further information on DSM Somos in the United States:
Michelle Wyatt <Americas@dsmsomos.info>
2 Penn's Way, Suite 401
New Castle DE 19720
Tel. +1 302.326.8100
www.dsmsomos.com
For further information on DSM Somos in Europe:
Melisa Lasell <Europe@dsmsomos.info>
DSM Somos External Affairs Europe
Via della Stazione 7F
00042 Anzio (Roma), Italy
Tel. +39 06.986.5179
Cell. +39 339.526.3828
Fax: +39.06.987.1694
www.dsmsomos.com
