SOLID CONCEPTS INTRODUCES HDSL RAPID PROTOTYPES

New High Definition Stereolithography Rapid Prototypes provide quality prototypes without the need for expensive and time-consuming hand finishing.

VALENCIA, California - June 10, 2002

Valencia, CA - June 10, 2002 - Solid Concepts Inc., a leading supplier of rapid prototyping and manufacturing services, announced today the immediate availability of it's new High Definition Sterolithography rapid prototypes. The new HDSL™ rapid prototypes are produced without hand finishing, using Solid Concepts' enhanced stereolithography equipment. Most stereolithography rapid prototypes require significant hand finishing in order to remove support structures and layer lines. The hand finishing process not only adds time and cost to the process, it can also introduce errors as features can be accidentally removed and sharp edges rounded off.

HDSL rapid prototypes are produced with special build parameters and thinner layers than most stereolithography rapid prototypes, according to Chuck Alexander, Solid Concepts' manager of RP operations. "With our special build styles and enhanced equipment, we can cost-effectively produce stereolithography models with 75% more layers per inch", said Alexander. "As a result, the models do not require any hand finishing, so our customers receive their prototypes in less time, and at a lower cost."

About Solid Concepts Inc.

Solid Concepts Inc. is a supplier of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing services. Founded in 1991, Solid Concepts is a five-facility, multiple technology company known to be a solutions provider with project management and engineering expertise. Capabilities in Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Advanced Cast Urethanes, CNC and FRP rapid prototypes and custom manufactured parts allows for low-volume production of plastic, urethane, and metal components directly from design data, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Tooling and Molding capabilities bring customer projects through to completion. ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications.

• SolidView
  SolidView® software allows you to view, rotate, measure and communicate design intent with non-CAD users—starting with our free 3D CAD viewer—SolidView/Lite.
• SLA & PolyJet
  SLA® & PolyJet™ provide accurate concept models and master patterns in record time. Complete in-house finishing capability for production-like prototypes.
• SLS
  SLS® (selective laser sintering) produces rugged Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 prototype and production parts and is ideally suited for Direct Digital Manufacturing.
• FDM
  FDM (fused deposition modeling) produces both prototype and production parts from ABS plastic, polycarbonate, and Ultem materials.
• CNC
  CNC prototypes, parts and master patterns are ideal in applications where the material property or size requirements make other prototyping techniques unsuitable.
• Cast Urethane
  Cast Urethane (a proprietary advanced casting technology and advanced formula polymers) produce strong pre-production and short-run production components.
• Composites
  Composites (fiber reinforced plastic) technology produces large, rigid, accurate panels with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and surface finish. Chose between CompositeCast™, Hand Lay-up FPR and VARTM.
• Tooling
  Tooling from Solid Concepts provides quick-turn tooling options for Chinese tooling & production, export tooling from China, and domestic tooling, all with domestic project management.
• Molding
  Injection Molding from Solid Concepts brings you the best of both worlds by providing Chinese pricing and lead times along with Solid Concepts quality and domestic project management.