Plastic prototypes – over 120 materials to choose from

Prototyping materials – the choice is yours Rutland Plastics has an Objet Connex 350, which is one of a range of the world's only 3D printers able to combine different materials. The result is that, by combining two different base materials in varying proportions it is possible to create a wide variety of differing properties for you to choose from. The thermoplastics that can be simulated fall into the following categories. ABS This is a tough material with a wide range of properties including high impact strength and hardness, good scratch resistance together with high gloss. Other properties include good dimensional stability with good mechanical strength and rigidity. Polypropylene Polypropylene is the most widely used polymer due to its properties being suited to a wide range of applications. They have strength, lightness, flexibility and stability. Rubber Thermoplastic rubbers can be used either for single parts, such as gaskets and seals, or soft touch in overmoulding and two-shot moulding. Shore A values from 40 to 95 are available, other shore values may be created by combining with Objet rigid materials. Higher shore values result in increased tensile strength and tear resistance. Transparent Transparent materials are widely used in injection moulding but there are few options available for transparent rapid prototypes. Rutland Plastics is able to offer an Objet material that is rigid and colourless and offers excellent dimensional stability providing visual simulation of transparent thermoplastics such as Acrylic. This material can be combined with the black materials to create different patterns and shades and for simulating print. The Future New materials are under constant development and each new base material that is added can create dozens of new digital materials when combined with the existing ones. With such a wide choice there is a material available to suit almost any application. Rutland Plastics Ltd Tel: 01572 723476 email: enquiry@rutlandplastics.co.uk www.plasticprototypes.co.uk