|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Design Prototyping Technologies (DPT) is a Service Bureau located in East Syracuse, New York. We offer a variety of prototyping technologies, including SLA, SLS, FDM, Urethane Casting, Injection Molding, and Metal Casting. In January 2008 we took delivery of the very first Connex500™ machine to be installed at a Service Bureau. In using the Connex500™ since that time, we have gained an understanding of its advantages relative to other technologies. Compared to those other technologies the machine allows for considerably more rapid turnaround of multiple material and custom durometer parts.
Aside from the fact that the Connex500™ is the first 3-D printing system capable of jetting more than one Full-Cure model material during a single build, what has impressed us most is that the finished parts demonstrate mechanical or physical properties comparable to the final manufactured product. Equally as valuable, the Connex500™ has the ability to create twenty-one material variations, or to continuously print one material from any of six Full-Cure model materials. The machine's ability to print these so-called digital materials - actually composites - has enabled us to create models not possible with any other rapid prototyping technology. For example, we were able to create multiple combinations of substrate and over-mold designs for review in one day. The twenty-one material combinations of the six Full-Cure materials that can be loaded into the machine at one time can provide different material properties based on the particular materials in use. However, many of the digital materials can also have relatively constant properties because three of the available materials - VeroWhite, VeroBlue, and VeroBlack - have very similar properties to begin with. For example, combining VeroWhite with TangoBlack in the same ratio as VeroBlack with TangoBlack will result in almost identical material properties, but in this case the parts will exhibit variations in color and appearance. Since the Connex500™ can fabricate parts with production-like physical characteristics, we have been able to give our customers a realistic sense of the final product during the initial stages of design. As mentioned, this has allowed us to test for feasibility and simulate the over-molding process as well. The parts we have constructed on the Connex500™ were exceptionally detailed, durable, and their surfaces were surprisingly smooth. These parts really replicated the look, feel, and functionality of the end product.
of the fine finish that can be achieved. (Courtesy DPT, Inc.) In a recent example, using digital materials, we were able to produce a part in a number of different durometers in the same build. The customer used the technology to evaluate the "feel" of the different durometers in their design, specifically the tactile feel of the keypad over the switches. We built elastomer nose and mouth masks in different durometers to verify the fit and function of the mask as well. We have also built parts with a range of Shore D durometer properties from a very flexible PE-like material to a more rigid ABS-like material. In one case the customer was evaluating the function of a snap fit tab and used the various materials, all built at the same time using digital materials, to select the appropriate mechanical properties needed. Because they were built at the same time the delivery time was just two days. There is one particular aspect of the Connex500™ that requires planning. The equipment is comprised of eight individual print heads, including four for build and four for support purposes. When building with Tango and Vero in Digital Material mode - the typical configuration for access to the most digital materials - two of the print heads are filled with the Vero Material (rigid) and two are filled with the Tango material (elastomer). To switch materials the material must be purged from the print heads. If the sequence of projects is not planned with this in mind, a considerable amount of material and time will be wasted through the purge process. The purge process can use up to 100 grams of material and take over an hour to complete. Through our experience with the Connex500™ we have figured out how to minimize the material waste, make every combination available to our customers, and have prototypes ready for delivery in 1-3 days. Technical specifications for the Connex500™ can be found at www.2objet.com. More information about DPT can be found at:
Design Prototyping Technologies © Article Copyright Design Prototyping Technologies, All Rights Reserved. |
