Erlanger, Kentucky--Accelerated Technologies has announced the availability of rapid prototypes in a new, ceramic-filled material for stereolithography. ProtoTool(TM) 20L, from DSM Somos(R), is a composite material that blends ceramic filler and photopolymer to yield mechanical and thermal properties that are unmatched by any other stereolithography resin.

Accelerated Technologies has used ProtoTool 20L for prototyping applications that required strength, rigidity and thermal resistance that could not be achieved with any other stereolithography resin. ProtoTool 20L offers a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 216 deg. F, and with an optional thermal postcure, the HDT reaches an impressive 517 deg. F. As would be expected from a ceramic material, ProtoTool is extremely rigid with a flexural strength of 20,000 psi. In addition, ProtoTool 20L offers a tensile strength of 11,200 psi.

Mike Durham, general manager of Accelerated Technologies’ Prototyping Division, stated, "Having relied on selective laser sintering for most of our functional prototypes, we are pleased that ProtoTool provides a new alternative - one that offers excellent material properties while delivering the sharp details and good surface finish for which stereolithography is known."

Durham continued, "We were surprised to find that ProtoTool 20L can be easily sanded for applications that require smooth surfaces on the functional prototypes, such as an impeller."

When compared to the widely used Somos 9100 series resins, ProtoTool 20L has 6 times the flexural strength, 2.5 times the tensile strength and up to 3.5 times the heat deflection temperature. With these properties, Accelerated Technologies believes that ProtoTool will be in demand for functional prototypes like impellers, pump housings, headlight reflectors and wind tunnel test models.

DSM Somos anticipates that ProtoTool 20L will be commercially available in early July 2003. This is the first of a series of materials to be developed in the Advanced Composite Technology for Stereolithography (ACT-SL(TM)) product line.

About Accelerated Technologies:
Accelerated Technologies offers product development and manufacturing services that include product design, rapid prototyping, tooling, injection molding, printed circuit boards, wire harnesses, manufacturing and assembly. For rapid prototyping services, the company offers stereolithography, selective laser sintering and RTV molding from its Austin, Texas and Erlanger, Kentucky locations.

Somos is a registered trademark and ProtoTool and ACT-SL are trademarks of DSM Somos.

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Photo available upon request.

Contact:
Accelerated Technologies
Julie Shine, Account Manager
(859) 692-2612
Email Contact
www.acceleratedtechnologies.com