Nanotechnology and Stereolithography for Rapid Tooling

By DE Editors

NanoTool from DSM Somos (Elgin, IL) gives the high-precision physical properties and surface qualities required for a wide range of rapid tooling and rapid prototyping applications,  thereby generating savings in both lead times and costs.

Axis (Limoges, France),  a service bureau offering rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, and rapid manufacturing services, used NanoTool to make production tools for the injection molding of pill dispensers for the medical industry. Using stereolithography (SL), the complete process from CAD drawing to fitted injection molds took eight working days, whereas conventional metal tools would have taken 4-6 weeks. More than 1,000 parts in both ABS and POM (Polyoxymethylene) have been produced so far and the mold is still working well.

Axis, which uses NanoTool for rapid prototyping applications as well, also uses Somos’ new high impact material DMX-SLT100, enabling Axis to offer a full service from design concept to finished part, selecting from a palette of the most advanced SL polymers.

With one application area being rapid tooling for injection molding, NanoTool produces strong, stiff, high temperature resistant composite parts on conventional stereolithography machines.

DSM Somos, a material supplier to the rapid prototyping industry, provides stereolithography liquids used for the creation of 3D models and prototypes directly from digital data. Somos’ patented ProtoFunctional materials are used by automotive, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications industries.

For more information, go to DSM Somos.

Sources:  Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.