ROCK HILL, S.C. - 3D Systems Corporation, a leading provider of 3-D Modeling, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions, announced today that a large domestic automaker has purchased a second Sinterstation Pro SLS System to build and test prototypes of engine components from the toughest available plastics.

Already experiencing success with DuraForm EX Black Plastic and its first “Pro” System, the automaker has expanded its Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing capabilities with a Sinterstation Pro 230 SLS System to produce car engine parts, fixtures and soft tools for vacuum casting. This Direct Manufacturing system uses proven 3D Systems’ sintering technology to transform computer-aided design (CAD) data into ready-to-use, durable and stable 3-D plastic parts through an Additive Manufacturing process. The Sinterstation Pro 230 SLS System has the ability, within hours, to build large, complex parts, reducing development time and optimizing final designs, resulting in lower development costs and better final products.

The automaker plans to build functional, high-performance parts from DuraForm PA Plastic, a tough, general-purpose engineering plastic, and DuraForm GF Plastic, a glass-reinforced engineering plastic for applications requiring higher stiffness and temperature resistance.

“With the largest available build-volume capacity and a portfolio of highly durable materials, more and more automotive companies are seeing the competitive advantages of our Sintering technology,” said Abe Reichental, 3D Systems’ president and chief executive officer. “Conventional technologies are being replaced by highly productive manufacturing systems like our Sinterstation Pro SLS System, which quickly and economically build a wide range of complex parts without the need for costly tooling.”

Courtesy: 3D Systems Corporation, USA

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Posted by Naresh Koshti on 21 May, 2008 2:27:28 PM IST #