New partnership seeks to develop next generation RP materials
A research partnership, which aims to develop new materials for the rapid
prototyping of three-dimensional models, has been formed between Ciba
Speciality Chemicals Performance Polymers and the US-based RP machine
builder, Z-Corporation. Birmingham-based Umak (Z-Corp's agent) has been
given the task of marketing the new materials worldwide.
The new materials will be formulated for use with Z-Corp's Z402
three-dimensional printer RP system, which creates models up to
250x200x200mm by distributing a layer of starch and cellulose-based
powder on a movable platen. A two-axis head with 128 jets (similar to an
inkjet printer) then sprays a 14mm wide trail of binder fluid over the
model build area, covering only the solid portion of the cross-sectional
area generated from the CAD file.
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