Rapid prototyping round up
Published Sun 12 Apr 2009
The Rapid Prototyping world has experienced some major advances in the last few months, Experience Manufacturing takes look.
Prototyping is inexorably linked to engineering and design. It can be used at all stages as you move a product from that initial spark, through design, engineering and into manufacturing. While digital prototyping can predict a product’s performance and behaviour to great effect, many organisations still rely on the physical prototype. But these days you don’t need to spend hours in the workshop covered in blue foam hunks, there is a breed of new machines that will do the job for you while you get on with other things.
Objet Alaris30
Objet has upped its game with the release of the Alaris30. Based on the same PolyJet technology used in its other machines, the Alaris30 drastically reduces both the price tag and the form factor of entry-level rapid prototyping. With a 300 x 200 x 150mm build platform, and the use of general purpose (VeroWhite) and water soluble support materials, the system is pretty slick. But what makes it incredible is the 0.0254mm layer thickness, which means that there is virtually no requirement for finishing. The machine runs two material cartridges at the same time, and can hold two in reserve, giving you a build time of around 26 hours without manual intervention.
Z Corporation Z650
At the opposite end of the spectrum to the Alaris30 is Z Corporation’s 650, the biggest full colour RP machine capable of building parts up to 254 x 381 x 203mm in size. For those unfamiliar with the company’s products, Z Corporation machines use binder fluid jetted onto powder to create 3D models, with the advantage that they can also print using coloured ink to create full colour prototypes. Whereas previous machines used CMY (Cyan Magenta, Yellow) inks to build the part colour, this machine adds a separate black for greater colour definition and better use of inks. Along with the increased build size and ink options, this new machine brings new levels of automation and self containment as there’s an integrated clean up and post processing station. This is ideal for both mechanical and architectural users as the models build quickly, are inexpensive compared to other systems and the colour gives you real benefits no matter what industry you operate within.
Araldite Digitalis
The new kid on the block is rapid manufacturing contender Huntsman Advanced Materials, who has unveiled the Araldite Digitalis. The winner of the Euromold Gold Award 2008, the gold-hued design was given a glamorous launch amongst its already established competitors. However, the boys from Basel have some impressive new technology, primarily the MicroLightSwitch UV exposure system.
Focusing 40,000 points of UV light from the micro-mechanical shutter system over radiation-curable resin, the system offers a broader spectrum of applications for rapid manufacture that is claimed to give benchmark speeds of over twice that of its competitors (the most simple explanation being that 40,000 points of light are better than one laser).
Five years in the making Hunstsman hasn’t stopped there, with new resins, including colour, becoming available next year.
Mcor Technologies
Mcor has just gone live with details of its Matrix 3D printer. Those with an RP background might remember LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing) machines which layered up models using rolls of paper sheets, a laser and adhesive. We haven’t road tested this system, yet, but from what we’ve heard it is based on a similar process and creates 3D parts from A4 sheets of paper, water-based glue and a roller knife.
Aimed initially at the educational market and small businesses, the machine looks interesting primarily because of the drastically lower consumable costs (really, it's just A4 paper). We have some test parts on order so we’ll have more information in the next issue of Experience Manufacturing.
