SOLID CONCEPTS EXPANDS FDM CAPACITY

Valencia, CA - May 2011

Solid Concepts Inc, a supplier of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing services, has recently expanded its Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) capacity adding one Fortus 900 and four Fortus 400 machines. This new expanded FDM capacity will make it even easier for Solid Concepts to quickly turnaround your short-run functional models and take on you long run end-use production parts.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a layer additive manufacturing process that uses production-grade thermoplastic materials to produce both prototype and end-use parts. Solid Concepts offers a number of thermoplastic FDM materials that can be used for direct digital manufacturing including ABS (in both natural and black), medical grade PC-ISO polycarbonate and Ultem-9085 for high-temperature fire-retardant applications.

Since FDM parts are constructed with production-grade thermoplastics they are functional and durable. In fact, Ultem-9085 is flame, smoke and toxicity certified to UL-94V0 and FAA 25.853 standards and possesses an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

Applications

• Concept Models - Test form and fit and communicate design intent
• Functional Prototypes - Tough prototypes used for functional tests
• End-use parts - Low-volume production without tooling expense and lead times
• Manufacturing tools - Quickly manufacture jigs, fixtures, tooling masters and production tooling without machining

About Solid Concepts Inc.

Solid Concepts supplies rapid prototyping, short-run production, tooling and molding services for all industries from aerospace and medical to sports and entertainment. Since 1991, the company has been known as a solutions provider with project management and engineering expertise. Capabilities in PolyJet™ high precision 3D printing, Z-Corp 3D Color Prints, Stereolithography (SLA) models and patterns, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), CNC models and patterns, QuantumCast™ advanced Cast Urethanes, and Composites manufacturing including Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), allows for low-volume production of plastic, urethane, and metal components directly from CAD design data. Tooling, Injection Molding, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) services, and Finished Goods operations make Solid Concepts a one-stop source to bring concepts from prototype to finished product. ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified facilities.