DTM Press Release - new materials

From: nelsonc@dtm-corp.com
Date: Tue Feb 25 1997 - 18:54:29 EET


DTM Announces Two New Rapid Prototyping Materials For Sinterstation(R) Systems

Create "Rubber-Like" Prototypes With DuPont Somos(R) 201 Polymer and Highly
Detailed and Durable Functional Prototypes with VeriFormt Polymer

Austin, Texas February 18, 1997: DTM Corporation today announced two new
materials for use in the Sinterstation family of rapid prototyping systems. The
first material, DuPont Somos 201 is an elastomeric polymer that produces highly
flexible parts with outstanding "rubber-like" characteristics. This new product
enables customers to use rapid prototyping technology to develop functional
prototypes such as gaskets, seals, moldings, athletic shoes and equipment and
other applications where high flexibility is key. DTM Corporation will serve as
a distributor of the DuPont Somos 201 Polymer for E.I. du Pont de Nemours and
Company. The second new material, VeriForm Polymer, is a new high performance
thermoplastic material designed for demanding, real-world functional prototyping
applications. This tough material is designed for applications where
operational working models of products are needed for testing in high stress,
harsh environments and other demanding applications where the prototypes have to
operate like the final product. Another attribute of this new material is that
it produces highly detailed functional prototypes that are easy to finish to a
high-gloss smooth surface.

DuPont Somos 201 was developed by material scientists at DuPont Somos Solid
Imaging Materials. This is DuPont's first SLS(R) Selective Laser Sintering
material development. "One of the major strengths of DTM's SLS Selective Laser
Sintering technology is the wide range of materials that can be run on a single
platform. We are excited about the market potential for new DuPont Somos
materials designed for demanding SLS rapid prototyping applications" said Dr.
Daniel J. Mickish, Manager of DuPont Somos Solid Imaging Materials. Initial
interest in the new material is coming from the automotive, medical, sports
equipment and toy markets where it can be used to quickly prototype a wide
variety of parts ranging from door moldings, hose assemblies, boot covers,
pliable keyboards, seals and shoe soles. A positive characteristic of the new
flexible polymer is high resistance to elevated temperature and harsh chemicals
such as gasoline and automotive coolants. DTM will begin shipments of DuPont
Somos 201 in the second quarter.

VeriForm Polymer is a significant advance over DTM's popular nylon family of
materials. While it has the same toughness, strength and durability of the
current DTM nylon material family it has some key advantages in the quality of
the surface finish, powder recyclability and fine feature definition. Compared
to current SLS functional prototyping materials, prototypes built with VeriForm
Polymer are easier to build and exhibit surface finish characteristics much like
the final injection molded plastic part used in the actual product. The color
of initial shipments of the new VeriForm Polymer material will be white.
Product availability of the VeriForm Polymer material is also scheduled for the
second quarter. DTM is investigating a range of colors of this rugged
functional prototyping material for possible introduction later this year.

DTM Corporation develops, manufactures and markets the Sinterstation family of
rapid prototyping products 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, serviced, and supported
directly through DTM in North America and in Europe through DTM GmbH (Germany),
a wholly-owned subsidiary, and through agents located in various European
countries. DTM products are also available through an extensive network of
international agents and distributors throughout the Pacific Rim and South
America.

####

DTM(TM), RapidTool(TM), SandForm(TM), Sinterstation(R), and SLS(R) are
trademarks and registered trademarks of DTM Corporation. Somos(R) is a
registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

(C) DTM Corporation
All rights reserved



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