IPF advocates clear benefits of Objet 3D printing materials
"We’re seeing great demand for the new Objet clear transparent (Objet VeroClear) material. We consumed a significant amount of the material during the beta testing just through word-of-mouth leads alone, and we’ve had substantial new business specifically on the strength of the transparent capability," states Gary Miller, Head of 3D Printing & Rapid Prototyping at IPF, "Objet has long been ahead of the game in terms of prototypes that truly represent the intended end-product, and the properties of the new materials can only strengthen that position."
Objet VeroClear is a truly transparent, rigid and near-colorless material featuring excellent dimensional stability for general purpose, fine detail model building and visual simulation of transparent thermoplastic such as PMMA.
"The clarity is superb," Miller comments, "The feedback from my customers is that it surpasses rival technologies such as Stereolithography (SLA), which has traditionally been requested for transparent applications. Printing in layers as fine as 16 micron layers — or even in high-speed 30 micron layers — with excellent print resolution, Objet printed models also have better surface finish, finer details and tighter tolerances."
According to Miller his customers opt for the transparent material for a diverse range of applications, "My customers are constantly breaking new ground with new products or improved parts. We are using the Objet transparent clear material for clients in the fields of architecture, automotive and consumer electronics, defense and medical. The applications range from waterflow systems, to clear screens, casing and housing for electronics, to testing lighting functionality, to using illumination to showcase design aesthetics and detail."
With regards to the Objet ABS-like material, Miller says that he has completed orders for customers from the food processing and automotive sectors, asserting: "I expect the ABS-like material to create significant new opportunities and growth from our customers within the automotive, consumer goods and F1 racing sectors. It could potentially be a business changer, which is why we were the first company in the UK to adopt it."
Designed to simulate ABS-grade engineering plastics by combining high-temperature resistances with extreme toughness, Objet ABS-like is a Digital Material[TM] for use with Objet Connex multi-material 3D printers, the world’s only range of rapid prototyping systems able to jet two materials at the same time. IPF’s rapid prototyping department operates both an Objet Connex500 and an Objet Eden350V 3D printer.
"The Objet ABS-like material provides a seriously compelling alternative for replicating engineering plastics, where previously FDM plastic models were probably used," says Miller. "The same fit, form and function capabilities that Objet excels in are now available with the benefits of ABS-like — rigorous durability, high temperature resistance and excellent dimensional stability. We’ve also found that, because the material isn’t porous, the finishing options are fantastic too."
For further information: www.objet.com, www.objet.com/rapid_prototyping, www.ipfl.co.uk.
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