April 25, 2006 - Elgin, Illinois — DSM Somos is pleased to announce the commercial availability of its newest multi-purpose stereolithography (SL) resin, Somos 9420 EP-White. Combining the mechanical performance of polypropylene with an aesthetic similar to white injection molded materials, EP-White has received positive reviews from the Rapid Prototyping (RP) industry since its introduction in the fall of 2005. "Somos 9420 builds on the standard-setting performance of Somos 9120 for creating functional prototypes" says DSM Somos Marketing Manager Eva Montgomery. "The feedback we’ve received back from our beta test sites and their customers—particularly regarding parts made for the automotive sector—has been quite remarkable." Early market acceptance of Somos 9420 EP-White will allow Somos to begin offering 9420 through all of its distribution channels as of April 30, 2006.

Prototype of a bicycle helmet made from Somos 9420 EP-White. Helmet provided courtesy of Select Manufacturing Services, Inc.

Exceptional Performance, Aesthetics
"This material is strong, resilient and less likely to snap than other SL resins when performing fit and function testing," says Al Dewitt, President of RP service bureau Rapid Solutions. “In addition, customers really like the way the 9420 parts show due to their bright white color and excellent side wall quality.”

Due to the excellent finishing quality and accuracy of 9420 part builds, Michigan-based service bureau Select Manufacturing has also been using the resin to build patterns for silicone molding.

Broad Application Range
EP-White’s flexibility makes it useful for a broad range of applications including snap fit parts, living hinges, and patterns. Jennifer Schaffner, Prototype Manager of GTC Specialties states, "Somos 9420 EP-White is the best SL material I have seen for living hinges. Living hinges made from 9420 were able to be flexed back and forth multiple times without breaking—something most SL resins can not stand up to."

Processing Ease & Reliability
EP-White is proving to be a robust resin choice—a critical factor for cost effective part builds. Ross Gates, President of Select Manufacturing reports 100% completion of all builds in the two plus months that he has been running Somos 9420 EP White. This is especially significant considering Gates averages 15 builds per week. "We’re confident that Somos 9420 is going to be a very popular resin for functional prototyping in a variety of market sectors," says Eva Montgomery. To learn more about the material, or to find a list of service bureaus currently offering parts made from EP-White, visit www.dsmsomos.com.

More About DSM Somos®
DSM Somos is a leading materials supplier to the rapid prototyping industry, providing stereolithography liquids used for the creation of three-dimensional models and prototypes directly from digital data. Somos’ patented ProtoFunctional® materials are used by a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical and telecommunications. Somos' corporate office is located at: 1122 St. Charles Street, Elgin, Illinois, USA, Tel. +1-847-697-0400, Americas@dsmsomos.info. For more information on DSM Somos® in Europe: Fax. +39 06 9871694, Europe@dsmsomos.info

DSM Somos (www.dsmsomos.com) is an unincorporated subsidiary of DSM Desotech Inc. — a world leader in the development of UV-curable materials—and a member of the global DSM family.