When a young Moroccan designer searched for material for his scale model of the Abdeslam Laraki 55 meter luxury-yacht, he chose DSM Somos WaterShed® XC stereolithography resin. The resin exhibits optical clarity and is used by other designers and service bureaus for its rendering accuracy and quality. It allows onlookers to view the structure within the hull.

Built in Paris by the engineering specialists Groupe Erpro, the 1.2 m model of the 3-deck luxury-yacht was commissioned by Laraki for presentation to its future owner. Many model-making techniques were considered, but stereolithography was chosen for its accuracy, surface quality, and build speed.

In other DSM Somos news, hollow build SL software has been restricted primarily to investment casting pattern applications. But TetraShell™ will allow SL part builders to widely vary wall thickness, as well as adjust support parameters—and consequently open doors previously closed to SL because of cost or weight considerations. 

Based on patented technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), TetraShell uses MSOE’s TetraLattice™ to facilitate the manufacture of hollow stereolithography parts with variable skin thicknesses.  Potential application areas include investment casting patterns, reduced-density metal clad composite structures and light-weight large, thick-sectioned parts.

Due to overall reduction of mass, the TetraShell hollow build style will create considerable material savings on bulky parts, while at the same time increasing accuracy.

DSM Somos
www.dsmsomos.com

MPF