Product Watch

Objet Ltd. (Rehovot, Israel) is expanding its line of simultaneous multi-material 3D printing technology to include a smaller footprint machine with a 260-by-260-by-200-mm (10.2-by-10.2-by-7.9 inch) tray size. Like its larger counterparts, the Objet260 Connex can print up to 14 different material properties within a single part thanks to the company's patented simultaneous multi-material jetting technology, it can also utilize the newly released acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-like and transparent materials.

In a "celebration of the harmonious coupling of color found in nature," Ampacet  (Tarrytown, NY) introduced a series of masterbatches especially targeted at multi-layer blowmolded packaging structures used in the for cosmetic, personal care, and household product arenas.

Engineering plastics are key enablers for weight reduction in automobiles. In particular, they come to the fore in underhood applications where they replace heavier metal components. New high-heat polyamide grades from DSM Engineering Plastics (Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands) that will be debuted at the K Show in Düsseldorf, Germany this October promise to deliver improved performance at elevated temperature.

One year on from the debut of its Dimension uPrint 3D printer and Stratasys (Minneapolis, MN) is adding further functionality to the fused deposition modeling (FDM) tool, while still keeping the price sub-$20,000.

A patent-pending tooling system for pipe and profile extrusion uses what it calls the world's first triple helix calibrator to provide precise adjustability during start-up and operation and dramatically cut start up, changeover, and production scrap. Called the Flextrusion system and produced by HG Engineering (McPherson, KS), the technology features a patent-pending adjustable pipe-sizing sleeve to provide precise adjustability during start-up and operation.

Cast-film extrusion systems manufacturer SML (Lenzing, Austria) reports it has reached its goal of developing a compact, energy-efficient 4-up line able to run with the capacity of a standard 6-up line. The system, on show at the company during an open house there this week, offers processors the potential to run a constant maximum output at standard film thicknesses between 15-23 µm.

3D Systems Corp. (Rock Hill, SC) has launched its V-Flash Desktop Modeler, priced at less than $10,000. With its compact 26-by-27-inch footprint and its light 146-lb weight, the V-Flash Modeler is easily placed into any workspace. With its build volume of 9 by 6.75 by 8 inches, users have the versatility to build a broad range of part sizes from hard plastic.

Material selection, especially in the medical market, has often required deciding between clarity, strength, lipid resistance, and processability, depending on the needs of the application, but a new medical grade of Eastman Chemical Co.’s (Kingsport, TN) Tritan copolyester offers all these characteristics in one material

The Erema Vacurema Basic 1308TE by Erema Engineering Recycling GmbH (Austria) has been optimized for production of polyester (PET) strapping from post-consumer bottle flake. Erema says the melt produced with this arrangement has virtually no intrinsic viscosity (IV) loss. Connected to the unit, which was premiered at a symposium late last year, was a Tight Strap 300 stretching plant manufactured by Erema’s Italian partner in this venture, Techno Plastic.