3D Printing - 3D printing is a unique form of printing that is related to traditional rapid prototyping technology. A three dimensional object is created by layering and connecting successive cross sections of material with a color print head while also depositing the required binder to solidify the cross section. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive fabrication technologies. While prototyping dominates current uses, 3D printing offers tremendous potential for retail consumer uses.
Binder - When refering to 3D printing, the binder is the material that is deposited on each successive layer of powder along with necessary pigmentation which hardens and solidifies the cross section.
CAD - Acronym for Computer Aided Design. Generally a sophisticated software package used in engineering and manufacturing applications to create and modify technical drawings three dimensionally.
Elongation at Break - The increase in length when the last component of the specimen breaks.
Flexural Modulus - Measures the relation between the applied load and the amount of bending; in other words, the stiffness of a material.
Flexural Strength - The strength of a material in bending, expressed as the tensile stress of the outermost fibers of a bent test sample at the instant of failure. With plastics, this value is usually higher than the straight tensile strength.
Glass Transistion Temperature - This is the temperature at which an amorphous solid, such as glass or a polymer, becomes brittle on cooling, or soft on heating. With SL prototypes, we can heat the part to a predetermined temperature while being fully supported in sand for an hour. Upon cooling, the plastic-like polymer retains a crystaline structure, therefore increasing its shore hardness and heat resistance.
Heat Deflection Temperature - The temperature at which a standard test bar deflects 0.010" under a stated load of either 66 psi (0.45 MPa) or 264 psi (1.82 MPa).
IZOD Impact (Notched) - The energy required to break specimens in which there is a v-notch to create an initial stress point.
Modulus of Elasticity - The ratio of stress to strain in an elastic material.
Polypropylene (PP): Similar to high-density polyethylene, but more heat resistant and with high tensile strength and clarity. Common applications are plastic rope, drinking straws, and cigarette package wrapping.
Resin - A broad term that is often used in rapid prototyping refering to a photopolymer.
Photopolymer - A photopolymer is a polymer that cures, or becomes solid, when exposed to light, often in the ultraviolet spectrum.
Shore Scale - A series of scales used to indicate hardness. Within a given scale, a higher number indicates a harder material. The two different durometer measuring scales, Shore A and Shore D, were developed by the Shore Instrument Company. The measuring tool utilizes a hammer striking the material to measure rebound.
Stereolithography - Stereolithography is a common rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping technology for producing parts with high accuracy and good surface finish by solidifying cross-sections of a liquid photocurable resin with an ultraviolet LASER. A device that performs stereolithography is called an SLA or Stereolithography Apparatus.
Tensile Modulus - The ratio of stress to strain in a material that is elastically deformed.
Tensile Strength - The maximum stress that a material can withstand without breaking.
Tg - Glass Transition Temperature. This is the temperature at which an amorphous solid, such as glass or a polymer, becomes brittle on cooling, or soft on heating. With SL prototypes, we can heat the part to a predetermined temperature while being fully supported in sand for an hour. Upon cooling, the plastic-like polymer retains a crystaline structure, therefore increasing its shore hardness and heat resistance.
Water Absorbsion - The percentage of water absorbed by a material when immersed in water for 24 hours.
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