WEB EXCLUSIVE: An “unprecedented combination of stiffness and toughness” is said to characterize Somos NeXt stereolithography (SL) resin from DSM Somos, Elgin, Ill.

Many plastics processors are just starting to become familiar with the terms “additive manufacturing” or “additive fabrication,” which refer to a group of processes that build up parts by successively adding material, often in layers.

Rapid prototyping (RP) equipment is increasingly being used to manufacture prototype and short-run production molds for blow molded and thermoformed parts.

Two new resins are touted as breakthroughs in stereolithography (SL) rapidprototyping and rapid-manufacturing materials in that they boast a much closer approximation of thermoplastic ruggedness and durability.

Stronger, tougher, stiffer, faster, and better-looking materials reflect the growing interest in rapid-prototyping and rapid-tooling technologies that can significantly decrease product development time and cost.