UnionTech PILOT 250
Shanghai-based stereolithography leader, UnionTech is inviting visitors to formnext powered by tct to learn about the range of applications made possible when combining 3D printing with established manufacturing technologies.
On stand C14 in Hall 3.1 of Frankfurt Messe, the company will display a variety of applications improved or enabled by an open hardware, materials and software including investment casting and injection moulding tooling.
UnionTech will show how stereolithography can be used for the production of reinforced hollow investment casting patterns with Materialise Magics TetraShell software and Somos Element materials to replace the typical honeycomb structure of casting patterns.
In injection moulding, the company will demonstrate how tooling benefits from the ability to utilise a 3rd generation filled composite material, Somos Perform, featuring elevated temperature performance for maximum performance.
Furthermore, UnionTech will show alternate plating strategies for metal clad composites with tailored wear surfaces and EMI/RFI shielding characteristics. The range of available UnionTech platform sizes 250mm x 250mm to 800mm x 800mm, coupled with full density parts with excellent aesthetics opens a wide range of application possibilities including housings, wave guides and mechanical components.
Investment casting is a well-established use of SL for the production of reinforced hollow investment casting patterns.
In addition to applications, UnionTech has also announced its strategy to grow the commercial use of stereolithography. With its PILOT commercial series of industrial grade stereolithography equipment, priced at under 100,000 Euros, UnionTech says it is targeting the “commercial user who is currently priced out of access to one of the most widely used and highly versatile 3D printing technologies of today”.
UnionTech’s commercial series consists of two machines, the PILOT 250 and PILOT 450 with platform sizes ranging from 250 mm x 250mm x 250 mm to 450mm x 450mm x 400mm. Both machines are capable of layer thicknesses as low as 0.05 mm and scanning speeds up to 12 m/s.
The PILOT series features an 800mW 355 nanometer laser allowing this equipment to utilize all industrial grade SL photopolymers. Today, UnionTech says PILOT users can access to a “full spectrum of “21st century” materials can produce full range of high quality, industrial functional prototypes”.
Plus, UnionTech’s newly announced Polydevs software for parts preparation is an integral part of the new PILOT commercial series pricing strategy. Consistent with UnionTech’s philosophy of open design for software and materials, PILOT series users can opt-in for Materialise Magics part preparation software, in place of Polydevs.
Visitors can learn more on booth C14 in Hall 3.1 at formnext powered by tct on 14-17th November.
