Filled Liquid Prototyping Materials For A Broader Application Range Emerge On The Near Horizon
New Castle, DE --- DSM Somos, world leaders in innovative materials technology for the rapid prototyping industry, has announced that it is nearing commercialization of Somos ProtoComposites™, liquid materials containing fillers allowing for a broader range of applications. ProtoComposites™ are complex materials in which two or more distinct, complementary substances, especially metals, ceramics, glasses or polymers, combine to produce functional properties not possible using individual components. ProtoComposite materials are a result of spending a significant amount of time and resources investigating the potential for ACT-SL™, Advanced Composite Technology for StereoLithography.
Initially, the Somos ProtoComposites™ family will consist of two product groups: Somos ProtoTool™ and Somos SolidCast™.
Somos ProtoTool™ is a filled material with high heat resistance providing “best-of-class” tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus plus a high Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) greater than 517 degrees F at 66 psi. ProtoTool™ has been developed as an answer to the problem represented by current resins that lose significant strength during the thermal cycling necessary to achieve high HDT. In contrast, ProtoTool™ offers high HDT with superior strength. Ideal applications include direct tooling as well as creation of strong, rigid parts.
Somos SolidCast™, is hollow-spherically-filled material with low density and excellent investment casting pattern properties. SolidCast™ will enable solid investment casting material that eliminates drainage and sealing concerns associated with a honeycomb structure, enhancing accuracy and surface quality. Moreover, this material is characterized by a low density capable of producing large parts without the weight associated with other resins. This is a key response to marketplace demands in that current resins have a density that averages 1.1 g/cm3 which results in formation of large heavy parts, whereas SolidCast has a density of approximately 0.6 g/cm3. SolidCast™ can therefore form large, lightweight parts.
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. D
SM 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 optimized for the variety of stereolithography platforms commercially available: Somos XX'00' resins are for use in Argon ion laser systems; Somos XX'10' for Helium Cadmium laser systems; Somos XX'20' resins for platforms utilizing Solid State laser systems.
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.
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”.
DDSM 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.
Corporate Headquarters of DSM Somos:
2 Penn’s Way
New Castle, Delaware 19720 - USA
Tel. +1.302.326.8100
For further information on DSM Somos in Europe:
External Affairs Europe <Europe@dsmsomos.info>
Fax. +39 06 9871694
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