3D Systems has announced several innovations for its plastics materials portfolio designed to help manufacturers address a broader portfolio of applications. These materials – Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK, Accura Fidelity, Accura Bond, Accura Patch, and Figure 4 JEWEL MASTER GRY – are designed for the company’s Figure 4 and Stereolithography (SLA) printing technologies.
Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK is a mid-tear strength elastomer has high elongation at break for flexibility and durability, is engineered for long-term environmental stability, and is tested per UL94 standards. These properties enable production of end-use elastomeric parts with a high degree of accuracy and minimal scarring from supports, which makes it ideal for applications such as air/dust gaskets, seals for electronics, vibration dampeners and pipe spacers. Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK is biocompatible capable per ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10 so it can be used to produce grips and handles as well as padding for splints and braces. Parts produced using Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK and 3D Systems’ Figure 4 technology can be produced faster than other similar competitive materials that require a secondary thermal post-cure.
Parts produced using Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK and 3D Systems’ Figure 4 technology can be produced faster than other similar competitive materials that require a secondary thermal post-cure.
As with all of 3D Systems’ production-grade materials, Figure 4 RUBBER-65A BLK is specially formulated for additive manufacturing by addressing three key customer needs: Production Performance Properties, Production Mechanical Properties, and Production Testing Standards. This complies with the comprehensive testing standards – per ASTM and ISO – the company employed when it released data for several of its Figure 4 materials in March 2020, including Long term Indoor and Outdoor Environmental Stability, Dielectric properties, Flammability, Biocompatibility, and Chemical compatibility. General availability for this material is planned for late June 2020.
Improved casting with Accura Fidelity
Accura Fidelity is an ultra-low viscosity, antimony-free stereolithography (SLA) resin with clean burnout that is designed to create patterns for a variety of castable metals, including titanium and aluminium alloys. When used as part of 3D Systems’ QuickCast process, Accura Fidelity enables rapid creation of medium to large, lightweight, and easy-to-handle casting patterns – leading to increased casting yields.
3D Systems is also introducing a new UV curable class of post-processing materials with Accura Patch and Accura Bond. Accura Patch is a high viscosity material designed to fill QuickCast pattern drain holes during post-processing. Accura Bond is a high viscosity material created to join various printed patterns together into one large pattern. Both solutions can also be used with any of 3D Systems’ SLA resins for creating larger parts and for patching during post processing.
Accura Fidelity is currently available while general availability for Accura Bond and Accura Patch is planned for July 2020.
New 3D printing material for jewelry
3D Systems began 2020 with the launch of Figure 4 Jewelry – a specially designed and optimized solution for the burgeoning 3D printed jewelry market. As an integrated production solution, Figure 4 Jewelry is designed to address three application-specific workflows: jewelry casting patterns, master patterns for molds, and prototype/fit check models. The solution launched with the jewelry casting workflow using Figure 4 JCAST-GRN 10 material. Now, the company is announcing Figure 4 JEWEL MASTER GRY – a versatile master pattern material for high volume jewelry silicone molds and for prototype/fit models.
The material’s high heat deflection temperature ensures compatibility with a range of silicones for creating master patterns. Figure 4 JEWEL MASTER GRY is well suited for producing high definition master patterns for making silicone or RTV molds – especially for high volume, mass production of designs. This material also delivers exceptional precise surface quality for design and functional prototyping, as well as snap-fit and stone-in-place testing. Figure 4 JEWEL MASTER GRY meets biocompatibility standard ISO 10933-5 for cytotoxicity, making it safe for try-ons and fittings. General availability is planned for late June 2020.
