FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 1996
Contact: Kent Nutt (512) 339-2922
DTM ANNOUNCES LARGER, HIGH-PERFORMANCE RAPID PROTOTYPING SYSTEM
Sinterstation 2500 System Increases Build Volume By More Than 2X and Adds
Advanced Beam Delivery Module
AUSTIN, TX: DTM Corporation today announced the introduction of the
Sinterstation 2500 rapid prototyping system. The Sinterstation 2500 System is a
larger, new addition to DTM's Sinterstation product family that uses the SLS
Selective Laser Sintering process for rapid prototyping. The new system has
been developed for design engineers that need to build large prototype parts or
for those customers that need to rapidly build a large number of smaller parts.
DTM(TM) has also incorporated the advanced Polaris Beam Delivery Module into the
Sinterstation 2500 System. This new beam delivery subsystem is significantly
faster and more accurate than other laser subsystems generally in use in the
rapid prototyping industry today.
By taking advantage of the modular architecture of the Sinterstation product
family, DTM has both expanded the build chamber size and optimized the chamber
dimensions in the new 2500. The chamber is now rectangular in shape and
represents an increase of more than 2X in build volume in the new 2500 when
compared to the Sinterstation 2000 System. Build chamber measurements for the
2500 are now 13 inches by 15 inches by 16.7 inches (330 mm by 380 mm by 425 mm).
Market research studies have shown that this chamber shape and size will build
over 90% of all rapid prototyping parts used by designers today. For example, a
fully functional prototype of a laptop computer housing can be built flat as a
single part in the new Sinterstation 2500. Users that need highly accurate
patterns can now take advantage of the Sinterstation's increased part size
capability for short run tooling and metal casting applications. The
Sinterstation 2500 System has the same physical "footprint" as the earlier
Sinterstation 2000 System.
"Boosting productivity, both speed and the number of parts in a single build
were the primary design goals when developing the new Sinterstation 2500,"
according to Mike Ervin, VP of Engineering and Manufacturing for DTM. "The
development of the Polaris Beam Delivery Module provides improved throughput and
accuracy in part-building over a wide range of materials." The Polaris Beam
Delivery Module improvements are in three key areas. These include the
following:
1. The first beam delivery enhancement is Z-axis Focus Control. In addition to
being able to focus the laser beam in the X and Y planes, the Polaris Subsystem
Module provides the capability to dynamically focus the CO2 laser in the Z-
plane. This means that unlike some other rapid prototyping systems where the
laser spot shape changes as you move away from the center of the build area
creating distortions in part accuracy, the Polaris Module maintains a focused
circle independent of the location in the build area. Large parts are
dimensionally accurate with sharp edges and excellent detail.
2. Another major advance in technology is the development of Vector Bloom
Elimination Circuitry. The use of VBE Circuitry virtually eliminates the laser
beam blooming that occurs at the end of each raster scan when building a part.
This is typical problem found in laser-based rapid prototyping systems
independent of build technology. This new circuitry has been incorporated into
the beam delivery module. This technical innovation produces prototypes with
crisp, well-defined edges independent of their location in the build chamber.
3. Next-Raster Preload Software provides a dramatic performance increase in
system throughput especially for complex parts. Enhanced software algorithms
have been developed to allow the beam delivery system to look ahead and fetch
the next slice of CAD data to be built. The high-performance Polaris module is
kept fully utilized in the build stage without waiting for instructions from the
Sinterstation 2500 system control computer.
The Sinterstation 2500 System is designed for both end-users and service
bureaus. The combination of the larger part build area and high performance
beam delivery subsystem will continue DTM's productivity leadership position in
the rapid prototyping industry. The multi-material Sinterstation family of
products is used for creating conceptual models, functional prototypes, pattern
masters and RapidTool - metal mold inserts. Shipments of the Sinterstation 2500
are expected to begin in the latter part of 1996. An upgrade for current
Sinterstation 2000 customers to Sinterstation 2500 capabilities is expected to
be available in early 1997.
DTM Corporation develops, manufactures and markets the Sinterstation family of
rapid prototyping systems for application in the growing rapid manufacturing
marketplace. DTM has an exclusive worldwide license to Selective Laser
Sintering technology. The company's products are sold and serviced directly
through DTM in the U.S. Outside the U.S., DTM's products are sold through DTM-
Nissin Co. Ltd. in Japan, DTM GmbH in parts of Europe, and other international
distributors in Europe, the Pacific Rim and South America.
####
DTM(TM), RapidTool(TM) Sinterstation(R), and SLS(R) are trademarks and
registered trademarks of DTM Corporation.
(c) DTM Corporation
All rights reserved
-- Dr. Christian Nelson Phone: (512) 339-2922 DTM Corporation Fax: (512) 339-7981 1611 Headway Circle, Bldg 2 email: nelson@dtm-corp.com Austin, Texas 78754 http://www.dtm-corp.com/~nelson
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