Creating Wax Models

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Creating Wax Models

• as master patterns
• for Investment Casting

Lyon, March 13th 2003 Joost Verheggen,
Solidscape, Inc.
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CAD / CAM versus Handcarving
Speed
Quality
Cost
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CAD / CAM
M
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Solidscape RM machines ..

• .. create wax patterns
• for investment casting
• and rubber moulding
• based on 3D CAD files.

.. provide the highest accuracy with superior
surface finish in non-toxic wax with negligible
thermal expansion and no residue at casting.
Rapid Manufacturing
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Solidscape RM machines ..

• .. provide the highest accuracy
• with superior surface finish
• in non-toxic wax
• with negligible thermal expansion
• and no residue at casting.

Ideal wax patterns for investment casting.
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Solidscape Corporate Overview

• Founded in 1994
• Privately-held Corporation
• Headquarters - Merrimack, New Hampshire
• Manufacturing Facility 3600m2
• Installed Base of Over 700 Units

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Solidscape Europe

• Branch office opened in February 2003
• Utrecht, The Netherlands
• Support European resellers
• Direct sales in open countries.

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Outline

1. Software
2. Printing Technology
3. Specifications
4. Applications
5. Cost justification
6. Four generations machines

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Software
stl
CAD
ModelworksTM
BViewTM
T66TM
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Build process

CAD Interface - .STL File - .SLC File - .DXF File
Control Software
Jet Electronics Controls
Vectored Jetting (Droplet Size - .0762 mm)
X-Y Motion
Precision Machining
Dissolvable Supports
Object Model
Build Substrate
Build Table
Z Motion
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Vector printing
ENLARGED
Jets can simultaneously move in the X and Y
directions. This allows the jets to precisely
trace curves
Jet Traces Edge
SMOOTH, CRISP EDGES SUPERIOR SURFACE FINISH
Solidscape T66
Solidscape PatternMaster
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Raster printing
...
ENLARGED
..
..
Multiple jets move in one direction only and fire
independently
Jets Sweep Across Area
TESSELLATED EDGES ROUGH SURFACE FINISH
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Precise Layer Machining
WITH MACHINING
Planer surfacer machines each layer to a precise
thickness

• Variable Layer Thickness
• Custom Layer Configurations
• Z-Axis Tolerance Precision
• Power Failure Recovery
• Good Surface to Deposition
• Next Layer

Thinner Layers For Resolution
.0127mm
Thicker Layers For Speed
.0762mm
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Dissolvable Supports

• Complex Internal Cavities
• Thin Wall, Small Features
• Less Finish Work
• Superior Surface Finish
• Lower Labor Costs

Small Features Remain Intact
.0254mm
Orange Support Material Dissolves Away Inside
Cavities
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Support removal
Release part from substrate
Remove orange support material
Support removal
Dry part
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Part finishing
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Consumables

• ProtoBuild
• Plastic model material
• ProtoSupport
• Wax support material
• ProtoBase
• Models built on Protobase
• ProtoTape
• Wipes jets
• BIOACT VSO
• Dewaxing fluid

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Routine maintenance
Jet Position Calibration
Jet Volume Calibration
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Specifications

• Build envelope 152 x 152 x 152 cm
• Build layer 0.013 mm to 0.076 mm)
• Achievable accuracy /- 0.025 mm per 25 mm
• 1/1000
• Surface finish 32-63 micro-inches (RMS)
• Minimum feature size 0.254 mm

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Applications

• Jewelry
• Medical
• Industrial

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Industrial Applications

• Recreation
• Toys
• Sporting Goods
• Model Hobbyists

• Consumer Products
• Electrical Components
• Industrial Design Studios RP Services
• Automotive
• Aerospace

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Example dental area
MERRIMACK, NH, March 7, 2003 - Traditionally,
braces on the inside of the arch are based on
standard brackets and an arch wire adapted to the
customers needs. T.O.P. Service für
Lingualtechnik, a leading company in lingual
orthodontics, has developed a fundamentally
different production method using CAD/CAM
technology. The customized brackets are much
smaller and lead to magnificent results.
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Jewelry
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Pricing T66

• 53,750
• including one year service contract
• including start-up kit
• excluding shipping and handling

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Cost justification

• 3 Cost of Material per pattern
• 60,000 Machine costs
• 60 months Lease
• 50 Patterns per month
• 200 Typical cost to purchase pattern

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Cost justification

• 50 patterns per month x 3 Cost of Material
• 150 Cost of Material per month
• 60,000 60 Months 1000 per month
• 20 Machine Cost per Pattern

Total costs T66, 50 models per month 23 per
pattern or 1,150 per month
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Cost justification

• 200 Typical cost to purchase pattern
• 10,000 Estimated cost to purchase 50 patterns

Total costs T66, 50 models per month 23 per
pattern or 1,150 per month
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Three generations of precision

ModelMaker 6 Pro (rear) Introduced in 1994
attained acceptance for most accurate and precise
patterns for investment casting Lost Wax
process. 170 Units Shipped.
ModelMaker II (center) Introduced in 1998
provided improved performance, reliability and
larger build envelope for all applications. 350
Units Shipped.
PatternMasterTM (front)

Introduced 2000 targeted for the industrial
market supports faster build times for larger
vector patterns, normally used in investment cast
patterns and rapid tooling.
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Fourth generation of precision

T66 Personal Modeler
Introduced in September 2002. Targeted at the
jewelry industry, the T66 provides 4th generation
mechanics and electronics in system with a
15.24cm (wxdxh) build envelope and a
revolutionary price.
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Summary

• Amazing accuracy and surface finish
• Works with most popular CAD/CAM software
• Perfect patterns for casting, molding and
  tooling
• Simple, easy-to-use operation
• Low monthly lease payments available

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Creating Wax ModelsUse CAD/CAM
Speed
Quality
Cost
Lyon, March 13th 2003 Joost Verheggen,
Solidscape, Inc.
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