THE WOODLANDS, TX — A new rapid manufacturing system capable of quickly producing large numbers of high-quality parts with excellent accuracy and consistency was introduced to the U.S. market by Huntsman Advanced Materials at RAPID 2009. Araldite® Digitalis equipment holds promise for significantly expanding the use of rapid manufacturing for applications as diverse as: medical models and devices, hearing aids, prosthetics, orthodontics, aerospace parts, motor sports components, sculpture and jewelry.
Huntsman’s unique new Araldite® Digitalis machine is based on a break-through new micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) that cures liquid resin with UV light rather than the lasers or reflected light that characterize conventional equipment.
Mohammad Chaudhari, Americas Technology Director, Huntsman Advanced Materials, said, “Our innovative Araldite® Digitalis machine represents the first advance in rapid part production in many years, signaling a new era in rapid manufacturing. The equipment is easy to operate and maintain and yields ultra-high accuracy parts at high speed to reduce production time and cost.”
At the heart of the Araldite® Digitalis equipment are MLS MicroLightSwitch® units that operate via computer-controlled micro-mechanical shutters that distribute UV light pixels onto the resin surface, steering light to prevent scattering and expose a large surface area of the vat in a single step. The illuminating angle is 90 degrees with micro-lenses used to ensure light uniformity and pinpoint accuracy. As a result, multiple parts of any design or complexity are built faster and more accurately than previously possible.
Chaudhari continues, “Experts estimate the market for rapid manufactured parts to be around $1.2 billion. The Araldite® Digitalis machine is Huntsman’s direct response to a global need in the rapid manufacturing sector. It is the logical next stage of growth for Huntsman Advanced Materials.”
Huntsman Advanced Materials expects Araldite® Digitalis equipment to be in full commercial use later in 2009.
Huntsman Advanced Materials
www.huntsman.com
MPF
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
