Heavy Duty, High
Performance
Laser Sintering
In the
world of additive manufacturing (rapid prototyping & direct digital
manufacturing), laser sintered plastics have long-since been recognized as
being tough and functional. With the
latest generation of high performance SLS™ materials, we now produce an even
wider variety of end-use production parts, as well as functional prototypes and
tooling fixtures and jigs, with strength and durability like never before. Compare some of our rugged laser sintered materials
below.
|
|
Duraform™ EX |
Nylon FR |
Composite XT |
DuraForm™ HST |
| General Description |
Tough, strong & highly flexible nylon with fine
feature detail and smooth surface finish
capability |
Flame retardant nylon that is highly flexible
and strong with modest feature detail and surface finish capability |
Tough, strong & stiff, but flexible nylon composite with fine
feature detail and smooth surface finish capability |
Highly rigid & strong fiber filled nylon composite
with modest feature detail and smooth surface finish capability |
| Special Characteristics |
Rigid but highly flexible. Able to handle significant impact without
breaking and capable of providing living hinges. |
Fame retardant (able to pass 60 second vertical
burn test). Rigid but flexible and capable
of providing living hinges |
Stiff but flexible and able to handle
significant impact without breaking.
Near-isotropic mechanical properties. |
Highly stiff with excellent strength to weight
ratio. Excellent XY axis mechanical
properties. |
| Applications |
Structural parts & assemblies for commercial
& military aircraft, terrestrial & underwater systems (UAV/UAS/UCAV/UTV/UUV)
| Ducts, plenums, latches, enclosures, FOD shields, filter boxes, etc. | Wind
tunnel and flow test models |
Motorsports & recreational products | Medical, consumer, commercial
& industrial devices | Living hinges and snaps | Durable, re-usable casting
patterns |
|
Material
Spotlight - DuraForm EX
Where
DuraForm EX stands out from other laser sintered nylons is in its ability to absorb
impact, stress and force in all axes and flex without breaking. Yet with all its toughness, it still provides fine
feature detail, smooth surface finishing, and excellent dimensional tolerance. Compared to most other laser sintered materials
and FDM plastics that are deposited in a very stratified "weave" style, it
provides superior Z axis mechanical
properties more like injection molded plastic.
* Illustration provided by 3D Systems Inc, Rock Hill, SC
** Harvest Technologies uses proprietary
optimization techniques to maximize the mechanical properties of the DuraForm
EX material
*** Harvest
Technologies has the ability to flame retard the DuraForm EX material to pass
60 second vertical burn test
|
Duraform™ EX |
Injection Molded Polypropylene |
Injection Molded ABS |
FDM ABS |
| (X-Y) |
(Z) |
(X-Y) |
(Z) |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (D638) |
6961 psi |
4500 psi |
4500 psi |
6194 psi |
2529 psi |
2088 |
| Elongation at Break (D638) |
47% |
15% |
< 10% |
14.5% |
1.5% |
1.5% |
| Flexural Strength (D790) |
6091 psi |
7600 psi |
7600 psi |
9200 psi |
4900 psi (x axis) |
3600 psi |
| *This information is based on a study by the Stork Twin City Testing Corporation (Stork Testing PDF), product information from RTP Co and 3D Systems, and testing by Harvest Technologies. |
|
