Product category:
Fast prototyping equipment, pattern-making and services
News Release from: DSM Somos | Subject: Somos 10120 WaterClear stereolithography resin
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 06 August 2001
Stereolithography resin is optically
clear
DSM Somosannounces the availability of Somos 10120 WaterClear: a new stereolithography resin providing the optical clarity of many polycarbonates.
DSM Somos, world leader in innovative materials technology for the rapid prototyping industry, announces the availability of Somos 10120 WaterClear: a new stereolithography resin providing the optical clarity of many polycarbonates Designed to work with solid-state laser stereolithography equipment, the resin was beta tested on a wide variation of machinery, including 3D Systems' SLA-7000 and the new Viper si2 System
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 13 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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DSM Somos' WaterClear and injection moulding materials - recently presented during the Technology Focus in the United States - were shown for the first time in Europe.
Somos 10120 WaterClear(tm) is a unique new material composite of many desirable engineering properties mimicking the flexural strength and modulus of polycarbonate, the notched izod impact strength of Nylon 66, and the tensile strength of ABS.
Its transparent appearance may be treated in a secondary step for the addition of color.
According to Dan Mickish, Ph.D, R and D Manager, DSM Somos: "Somos 10120 WaterClear was developed in less than one year as a direct response to demands in the market place for this type of next- generation, high-performance SL resin.
Further reading
Stereolithography resin is optically clear
DSM Somos, leading technology innovators in the rapid prototyping (RP) materials industry, will be launching a new family of ProtoFunctional stereolithography resins at EuroMold in Frankfurt.
Fast prototyping product testing time cut by weeks
According to MTI, Somos 10120 WaterClear provided optical clarity that allowed a client to test its product design earlier and realise time savings
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Black and Decker power tool demonstrates ProtoFunctional and time saving advantages provided by new DSM Somos WaterClear resin.
Focus groups, including both end-users, industrial designers and service bureaus, repeatedly asked for a general purpose material that would combine high clarity, low color, toughness and rigidity." Michelle Wyatt, DSM Somos Account Manager, further notes that the high level of enthusiasm from beta test sites coupled with avid industry interest indicates that Somos R and D has developed a product that meets urgent market needs.
Wyatt states: "Service bureaus and their customers have responded with uniformly positive feedback to Somos 10120 WaterClear and its diverse application potential for building see-through models for the purpose of evaluating product assemblies.
This is ideal for engine components, powertools, light pipes, bottles, lenses, and any application where it is essential to visualize flow of liquids or gasses." In addition to delivering optical-clarity, Somos 10120 WaterClear prototypes ensure exceptional durability, toughness, and impact strength.
Users have reported that this unique new material resolves challenges encountered with other available grades of stereolithography resin that are too soft or too brittle for many functions, including the incorporation into design models of screws or press fit bearings.
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 ('STL' format) for stereolithography machines, 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 ProtoFunctional resins range from the industry's first flexible resins for material properties similar to polyethylene (Somos 8100 series) or polypropylene (Somos 9100 series) to the latest generation of heat-resistant, humidity- tolerant, high-accuracy epoxy resins suitable for investment casting and direct tooling applications (Somos(R) 7100 series).
Each family of Somos photopolymer epoxy resins is comprised of materials singularly formulated and optimised for the variety of stereolithography platforms commercially available: Somos(R) XX'00' resins are for use in Argon ion laser systems; Somos(R) XX'10' for Helio Cadmium laser systems; Somos(R) XX'20' resins for platforms utilising Solid State laser systems.
DSM Somos also offers materials for selective laser sintering and is the first manufacturer of powder elastomeric polymer (Somos(R) 201) that can be sintered to produce highly flexible parts with "rubber like" characteristics.
Product data sheets for DSM Somos resins are available on the company web site
To receive samples or for further information of Somos(R) series prototypes, contact DSM Somos(R) External Affairs Europe
DSM Somos is a business belonging entirely to DSM, formed in 1999 following the acquisition of the company from DuPont.
DSM is a highly integrated group of companies with worldwide interests in life- science products, performance materials and chemicals.
DSM recorded sales of Euros 8.1 billion in 2000 and employs a total workforce of some 22,000, distributed in more than 200 operations throughout the world. Request a free brochure from DSM Somos ...
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