Rapid prototyping open to all with new 3D printer

Desktop 3D printer, available from Unimatic is making rapid prototyping capabilities available to a completely new family of users.

A desktop 3D printer is making rapid prototyping capabilities available to a completely new family of users.

The cost of ownership, ease of use and quietness of operation of the SD300, now available from specialist engineers Unimatic, means anybody needing models of three dimensional products can have 3D modelling capability in their own office.

The SD300 creates models using the LOM (laminated object manufacturing) method of building up layers, using shaped PVC sheets and gluing them together.

It is driven by a CAD or solid modelling file of the object to be made, which it interpolates into the necessary number of layers - most of which will be uniquely shaped.

The process is fast, clean and quiet, and thus ideal for an office environment; no special skills are required, so dedicated staff are not required.

The resulting model is robust and suitable for use as a visual design aid; it is not brittle nor too delicate to withstand handling.

It enables the user to realise a CAD file as a 3D model - to see and feel the reality of the virtual design.

Significantly Unimatic has priced the SD300 so that it is the lowest priced rapid prototyping machine on the market, as they wish to make the RP concept and technology available those designers, engineers, jewellers etc who need models quickly, cheaply and with the minimum of fuss.

"Running costs and overall cost of ownership are also modest," says Martin Stevens, Managing Director of Unimatic.

"The SD300 has a single stage operating process".

"You just have to make sure that it is loaded with a roll of PVC, glue and the CAD file".

"There are no curing or other secondary operations." Models made on the SD300 are accurate to within 0.25mm, and can be produced up to 160mm x 210mm x 135mm.

The machine is about the size of a 3-in-1 printer/fax/scanner, and although it weighs rather more, at 35kg it can be moved without lifting equipment".

""These factors, plus that fact that the SD300 looks and operates more like a computer peripheral than an industrial machine, means true rapid modelling can be carried out in just about any design office or workshop".

"It stands to cut weeks or months from many development cycles, by making model creation as simple as document printing and putting it in the hands of the actual design team.".

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