Real Stereolithography Parts

R&D Prototype submitted this WaterClear Ultra bottle that was later colored to look blue. It can be built with a .02” wall thickness to replicate a blow molded PET bottle or thicker walls to replicate polycarbonate class 6 and 7 bottles.

The Technology House, LTD in Solon, OH used DMX-SL 100 to create a Discharge Chute for a small ride-on tractor. The part would have normally been made from cast urethane, but Technology House was able to save a few steps by making it directly from DMX. The Discharge Chute went through extensive real world testing without shattering—somthing no other SL resin could have survived.

This personal data assistant (PDA) was built via stereolithography using DSM Somos® NanoTool™ composite resin and metal plated via the MC2 process ( Metal Clad Composite) by RePliForm Inc. to provide EMI shielding and to increase the part’s stiffness, strength and durability. MC2 parts can be less expensive than machining or die casting, and turnaround is a great deal faster, allowing engineers to move into the test phase more quickly.

This gear shift knob was created using the Hydro-printing process, which involves the use of an extremely thin (0.005”- 0.010”) textile that creates RP parts that look like real production parts.  Morpheus Prototypes LLC offers this unique finishing technique with more than 250 standard hydro-printed patterns to choose from.

Pro-Tec Equipment, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of trench and shoring equipment for underground water, gas and electrical line repairs, needed a 1/12 scale functioning model of a slide-rail shoring system for an upcoming tradeshow. All parts were made from ProtoGen™ 18420 by Laser Reproductions with an added structural metal coating that used the plating expertise of RePliForm Inc.

French service bureau, Axis created this automotive lamp prototype with NanoTool™ before a metal coating was added. NanoTool was selected for its higher temperature tolerance and smooth surface quality.  Click here to read more.

DPT - Fast Rapid Prototyping created parts for a commercialized DeWalt® drill from Black and Decker® using DSM Somos 10120 WaterClear®, a unique stereolithography resin with the optical clarity of polycarbonate. Related information: WaterClear Ultra.

Robust testing of prototypes, such as with this hair dryer is just one example of high-temperature applications well suited for ProtoTherm 12120. The photopolymer's thermal and moisture resistance are key properties needed to test parts where hot, humid conditions are anticipated.