DTM
Corporation introduced Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) to the commercial
world in 1992. SLS uses a laser to sinter powder based materials
together, layer-by-layer, to form a solid model. The system consists
of a laser, part chamber, and control system. The part chamber consists
of a build platform, powder cartridge, and leveling roller.
A
thin layer of build material is spread across the platform where
the laser traces a two-dimensional cross section of the part sintering
the material together. The platform then descends a layer thickness
and the leveling roller pushes material from the powder cartridge
across the build platform, where the next cross section is sintered
to the previous. This continues until the part is completed.
Once
the model is complete, it is removed from the part chamber and finished
by removing any loose material and smoothing the visible surfaces
Materials
NECO Inc. is capable of providing a variety of materials,
each having a unique set of properties to fulfill a wide range of
applications. The materials offered by NECO Inc. currently include
Duraform, DuraformGF, and Somos 201.
Duraform
This material is a hard plastic that provides fine detail,
good strength, durability and flexibility while being resistant
to solvents, chemicals and fuels. It is ideal for form, fit, and
function testing especially on parts with snap fits and living hinges,
as well as for other visual aids and as patterns for tooling. In
its finished form it is white in color with standard tolerances
of � 0.005" on small features and +/-0.3% overall. Duraform
is also capable of high temperatures with a heat deflection temperature
around 350�F@66psi.
DuraformGF
This material is a hard plastic that provides good detail,
strength, durability, and detail while being resistant to solvents,
chemicals, and fuels. It is ideal for form, fit, and function testing.
It is also good for other visual aids and as patterns for tooling.
In its finished form it is Grey in color with standard tolerances
are � 0.005" on most parts and features. DuraformGF is also
capable of high temperatures with a heat deflection temperature
around 340�F.
Somos
201
This material is a rubber like elastomeric polymer that is
comparable to a Shore 75A material and offers high flexibility and
ductility while being resistant to some solvents. It is excellent
for simulating parts that such as hoses, seals, grommets, etc. It
is off-white in color with standard tolerances of � 0.010"
on small features and +/- 0.1% overall on most parts and features.
Somos 201 is also capable of high temperatures with a melting temperature
around 300�F.
SLS Material Properties
Mechanical Properties
|
Test
Method
|
Units
|
Duraform
|
Duraform
GF
|
Somos
201
|
Tensile
Strength
|
ASTM
D638
|
psi
|
6,380
|
5,500
|
|
Tensile
Modulus
|
ASTM
D638
|
psi
|
230,000
|
855,000
|
2902
|
Tensile
Elongation at Break
|
ASTM
D638
|
|
9%
|
2%
|
130%
|
Flexural
Modulus
|
ASTM
D790
|
psi
|
186,000
|
478,600
|
2040
|
Izod
Impact - Notched
|
ASTM
D256
|
(ft-lb)/in
|
4
|
1.8
|
|
Heat
Deflection Temp
|
ASTM
D648
|
degF
|
350
|
345
|
|
Hardness
|
ASTM
D2240
|
Shore
A
|
|
|
75
|
Initial
Tear Resistance
|
ASTM
D624
|
lb/in
|
|
|
132
|
Melting
Point
|
DSC
|
degF
|
|
|
310
|
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