The rapid prototyping technology choice depends on the different needs clients have and the prototype intended use: for this reason, PARTEC offers expert advice tailored on its clients to identify the best solution for every request.
Sintering is the most suitable one when a model needs to have excellent physical and mechanical proprieties in a short period; in particular, sintering allows to:
- Make prototypes used during assembly test thanks to the materials’ elasticity;
- Small-medium lots;
Sintering relies on an additive technique, meaning that it builds the prototype from scratch adding material: such approach offers a great freedom when shapes are concerned. The CAD project can be materialised with a good dimensional quality.
The process relies on powder material, which is turned into solid state through compaction and use of laser technology, layer by layer until the model becomes real.
The most used sintering material is powdered nylon, which can resist different tests and finishes thanks to its high temperatures resistance. Powdered nylon can be used as pure or mixed with other dusts (such as glass, aluminium or carbon) to enhance some specific mechanical qualities of the model.
Thanks to its good mechanical proprieties, nylon is used also for drilling, thread of holes, assembly through connection.
PARTEC offers powdered polystyrene, too. This material is generally used as sacrifical during the Investment Casting process and the company relies on a sintered polymer that simulates rub characteristics (ShoreA from 30 to 85) when smooth particulars are required.
The model obtained can also undermine after-process finishes. PARTEC offers smooth, satin, lucid or soft touch) paintings and metallization for all materials (apart from rubber-like prototype, which only allow soft-touch painting to be implemented). In this way, the prototype will look much more as the final product.
Another alternative is waterproofing, to strengthen the hygroscopic nature of the materials and make their superficies perfectly refractory to water.
Through bonding or welding prototypes can also reach big dimensions: PARTEC studies the project and divide it into many parts, which are separately sintered. After that, they are precisely assembled. Finishes are allowed, too. In this way, helmet features can be hidden.
However, the machine we have is one of the larger on the market: EOS P700, has a working area of 700x580x380 mm and allows the realization of monolithic pieces without having to divide the project into distinct units.
Consequently, sintering is the best solution for those who:
- Need excellent physical and mechanical proprieties,
- Need many finishes and tests,
- Look for affordability and speed.
Since 1999, PARTEC is the best company for those companies, which want to shape their ideas into real projects.
Contact us to discover more about our company and technologies.