RapidSteel 2.0(R)

From: Yakov Horenstein (yakov@planet.it)
Date: Wed May 20 1998 - 10:56:56 EEST


RapidSteel 2.0(R) Reduces Typical Build Times by Half, Improves Surface Finish
                     in Applications for Metal Mold Inserts

                            (PR Newswire; 05/19/98)

AUSTIN, Texas, and HILDEN, Germany, May 19 /PRNewswire/ Manufacturers will
be able to create near net shape metal mold inserts for prototype or pre-
production tooling applications in a matter of days with RapidSteel 2.0, a
new metal formulation designed by DTM (Nasdaq: DTMC)
(http://www.dtm-corp.com) for use with its Sinterstation(R) rapid
prototyping systems. RapidSteel 2.0 is part of DTM's RapidTool(TM) family
of tooling products, which include the new Copper Polyamide material, and
will be available for shipment this summer.

"RapidSteel 2.0 provides dramatic improvements over the original RapidSteel
product," says Kevin McAlea, vice president of marketing for DTM
Corporation. "With today's announcement of RapidSteel 2.0 and Copper
Polyamide, DTM is providing a new generation of complementary solutions for
molding applications."

About RapidSteel 2.0
With RapidSteel 2.0, manufacturers can create durable metal mold inserts
suitable for prototype and pre-production plastic injection molding.
RapidSteel 2.0 provides improvements in processing time, finishing time,
and accuracy compared to the original RapidSteel material. The base metal
has been changed from carbon steel to stainless steel, the infiltrant has
been changed from copper to bronze, and the binder system has been
modified. With RapidSteel 2.0, mold inserts now go directly from the
Sinterstation to the furnace, skipping the polymer infiltration step that
was required with the original RapidSteel. As a result, the typical
processing time has been reduced by half.

RapidSteel 2.0 requires less finishing time due to the material's smaller
particle size. This produces a smoother surface and allows parts to be
built with a layer thickness as small as 0.075 mm, which reduces
stair-stepping. The new material system also provides improved consistency
and accuracy, as a result of reduced process shrinkage. With earlier
versions of RapidSteel, the total shrinkage was approximately four percent
while the current version achieves a net dimensional change of only 0.2
percent.

In typical applications, manufacturers are able to mold in excess of
100,000 plastic parts, providing low volume production capability for some
users. For pressure die-casting applications, RapidSteel molds should yield
several hundred aluminum, zinc, or magnesium parts.

DTM developed the SLS Selective Laser Sintering Process and manufactures
the Sinterstation family of rapid prototyping systems. These systems are
used to rapidly create functional models, expendable casting patterns, and
direct tooling for prototype manufacturing, and direct manufacturing
processes for a broad range of industrial design and manufacturing
applications.

With RapidSteel 2.0, manufacturers can create metal mold core-and-cavity
inserts for plastic injection molding and metal die-casting. Applications
can include mold inserts for injection molding prototype plastic parts,
tooling for bridge and pre-production plastic injection molding, and mold
inserts for die- casting prototype non-ferrous metal parts. Key
applications include consumer electronics, telecommunications, appliance
manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and any other industry
that must create prototype parts from plastic injection molding or metal
die-casting.

In typical applications, manufacturers should be able to create 100,000 or
more plastic parts, making RapidSteel 2.0 a production solution for some
users.
For metal die-casting applications, RapidSteel 2.0 molds should yield
several hundred aluminum, zinc, or magnesium parts.

DTM's products are sold, serviced, and supported directly through DTM in
North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. DTM products are also available
through an extensive network of international resellers and distributors
worldwide.

For more information, contact DTM

North America: 1611 Headway Circle, Building 2, Austin, TX 78754;
Phone 512-339-2922; Fax 512-832-6753
Europe: Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 40721, Hilden Germany;
Phone 49-2103-95770; Fax 49-2103-52265
Asia Pacific: 9 Temasek Boulevard, 31-02 Suntec Tower Two,
Singapore, 038989; Phone 65-434-5770; Fax 65-434-5771 World Wide Web:
http://www.dtm-corp.com

RapidTool is a trademark, and SLS and Sinterstation are registered
trademarks, of DTM.

SOURCE DTM Corporation
-0- 05/19/98
/CONTACT: Kristen Melby of DTM Corporation, 512-339-2922/ /Web site:
http://www.dtm-corp.com/
(DTMC)

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