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Facebook Fans

2009-10-16T15:50:00Z

Does your company need a Facebook Fan Page? Contact ACG to learn more about social media marketing! www.angerman.com ...

Advantages and Limitations of Viton®

2009-10-02T15:54:00Z

Viton® fluoroelastomer is the most specified fluoroelastomer, well known for its excellent (400°F/200°C) heat resistance. Viton® offers excellent resistance to aggressive fuels and chemicals and has worldwide ISO 9000 and ISO/TS 16949 registration.

Whether your application is automotive, chemical processing or any number of other industrial applications, there is a particular type of Viton® that best meets your specific performance requirements. The general purpose types differ primarily from the specialty types in chemical resistance. In the specialty family, the choice is among four types that are tailored for superior fluid resistance, low-temperature performance or combinations of these properties.

Advantages of Viton:

Very Good Resistance to Oxygen, Ozone & Sunlight
Outstanding Resistance to High Heat (Up to 400 F)
Excellent Resistance to Hydraulic Fluids & Grease
Excellent Resistance to Oil, Gasoline, Silicone Oil
Very Good Impermeability to Gases & Vapors
Good Flame Resistance

Limitations include:

Very Little Resistance to Oxygenated Solvents
Very Poor Resistance to Low Temperatures
Fair to Good Water & Steam Resistance
Poor Tear, and Cut Growth Resistance
Fair Adhesion to Fabrics & Metals
Fair Electrical Properties

For more information, visit: www.kdlprecision.com

3D Systems Acquires Acu-Cast

2009-10-01T16:03:00Z

Source 3D Systems Corporation

3D Systems Acquires Acu-Cast Technologies and Launches World’s Largest Parts Service

- Leading Parts Provider Becomes Cornerstone for Newly Launched 3Dproparts™ Service That Offers Customers One Stop Shopping Experience With Expanded Choices -

ROCK HILL, South Carolina – October 1, 2009 - 3D Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: TDSC), a leading provider of 3-D Printing, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions, announced today that it acquired the assets of Acu-Cast Technologies, a leading provider of rapid prototyping and manufacturing services that offers precision parts made on a wide range of traditional and additive manufacturing systems and a variety of finishing, molding and casting capabilities.

The terms of the transaction were not material. 3D Systems expects this acquisition to be accretive to its future operating income.

Concurrently, 3D Systems announced the launch of 3Dproparts™, the world’s largest Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing parts service. The company expects its 3Dproparts™ service to bring together the widest range of production and additive grade materials and the latest additive and traditional manufacturing systems to enable 3D Systems to deliver to its customers the broadest available range of precision plastic and metal parts and assemblies.

“Our 3Dproparts™ service can handle any customer project – large or small – completely within our facilities and in-house expertise, delivering quality precision realparts made from production and additive grade plastics and metals with speed and efficiency,” said Abe Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems. “We expect that the synergies generated by combining our latest generation of Pro systems and materials with Acu-Cast’s extensive experience in additive and traditional manufacturing, coupled with its part building know-how and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, will provide our customers with the ultimate one stop shopping experience for all their design, prototyping and manufacturing needs.”

3Dproparts™ is further enhanced through a proprietary and secure 24-hour online quoting-and-ordering website that preserves user confidentiality. To try 3Dproparts™ automated quoting process, go to www.3Dproparts.com.

“Over the past decade we have become an important extension of the in-house modeling, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities of many of our customers as well as a fulfillment partner for many service bureaus,” said Gary Mitchell, formerly President of Acu-Cast Technologies. “As part of 3D Systems’ new 3Dproparts™ service, we plan to invite all of 3D Systems’ existing Preferred Service Providers and other leading service bureaus to use 3Dproparts™ as their comprehensive order-fulfillment center.

“Unlike other online and traditional service bureaus that offer narrow systems and materials selection and limited in-house capacity, from the get go, 3Dproparts™ is offering a complete choice of parts that are fully produced in-house on the latest generation equipment from a comprehensive range of plastic and metal production grade materials. 3Dproparts™ has the capacity to handle all of our customers’ peak demand requirements and to deliver the same quality service seven days a week,” concluded Mitchell.

3D Systems is leveraging the relative proximity of its Acu-Cast facilities to major overnight distribution hubs to offer same-day shipping service. The company also plans to integrate its own Rapid Manufacturing Centers in Rock Hill, South Carolina and

Darmstadt, Germany into a global 3Dproparts™ service and intends to grow this activity both internally by providing a differentiated customer experience and through additional strategic acquisitions.

Conference Call and Audio Webcast Details 3D Systems will hold a conference call and audio webcast to discuss the Acu-Cast

acquisition and the launch of its 3Dproparts™ service on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time.

To access this Conference Call, dial 1-888-336-3485 (or 706-634-0653 from outside the United States). The confirmation code is 329-775-98.
To access the audio webcast, log onto 3D Systems’ Web site at www.3Dsystems.com/ir. To ensure timely participation and technical capability, we recommend logging on a few minutes prior to the conference call to activate your participation. The webcast will be available for replay beginning approximately three hours after completion of the call at: www.3Dsystems.com/ir.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements in the conditional or future tenses or that include terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” to be uncertain and forward-looking.

Forwardlooking statements may include comments as to the company’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors,” and “Risk Factors” in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements.

About 3D Systems Corporation

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3-D Printing, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions. Its systems and materials reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping as well as for production of functional end-use parts: Transform your products. More information on the company is available at moreinfo@3Dsystems.com.

About Acu-Cast Technologies

Acu-Cast Technologies, located in Lawrenceburg, TN, is a one-stop shop for the most accurate, high-definition Rapid Prototyping services available today. With the largest fleet of 3D Systems’ next-generation iPro™ Stereolithography Precision Centers in theworld, Acu-Cast Technologies is committed to delivering affordable, high-quality parts quickly with the convenience of instant online quoting and the personal touch of oldfashioned customer service, where orders are 100% satisfaction guaranteed. In addition to Stereolithography, Acu-Cast provides an array of prototypes and in-house services, including Aluminum and Zinc Metal Castings, High Speed CNC Machining, and Plastic Castings. More information on Acu-Cast Technologies is available at www.acucast.com, or via email at info@acucast.com.

# # #

South Carolina Manufacturers Awarded

2009-09-29T15:46:00Z

South Carolina is becoming a hub of economic development projects. Last week, the Chamber of Commerce recognized local manufacturers for best of class product development with the annual Crescent Awards program held here at SiMT. Additionally, SiMT has joined with SCMEP to offer advanced product marketing workshops to businesses across South Carolina. "Profit 101! Advanced Product Development Strategies" will visit Rock Hill, Greenwood, Charleston, FLorence, Aiken and Greenville. Exciting times! As our region and technical college continue to grow, the Rapid Prototyping Center at SiMT remains committed to delivering prototyping and manufacturing services to aerospace, automotive and product development companies everywhere. In the coming months we will complete a variety of upgrades to our prototyping equipment with a 3D Systems performance package that has been proven to double the speed of current SLS systems. We will certainly keep you posted on new developments!

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the Silver Crescent Foundation announce the 2009 Silver Crescent Manufacturer of the Year award winners. Celebrating the awards, the distinguished Salute to Manufacturing was held September 22 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SIMT) in Florence. The event honored numerous nominees and awarded the following organizations:

Packaging Corporation of America
Small Manufacturer of the Year (100 or less employees)
Sandvik/Valenite
Medium Manufacturer of the Year (101-499 employees)
Alcoa Mt. Holly
Large Manufacturer of the Year (500 or more employees)

Download SiMT Newsletter...

DuraForm® GF Plastic

2009-09-29T15:44:00Z

The Rapid Prototyping Center at SiMT is now offering DuraForm GF material to clients looking for complex production and prototype SLS parts. DuraForm GF is well suited for housings and enclosures and consumer sporting goods. The material is appropriate for low to mid-volume rapid manufacturing of parts requiring machining or joining with adhesives. Download Newsletter... ...

Types of Rubber Molding: Liquid Injection Molding (LIM)

2009-09-01T15:38:00Z

The custom injection molding of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) uses much of the same process and equipment as does injection molding. In both processes, the mold is heated and closed before the uncured rubber is injected. Unlike high consistency rubber (HCR), also known as gum stock, liquid Silicone is just that, a "high viscosity liquid" that comes in two parts, Part A and Part B.

Both parts are liquid but one part contains the catalyst which is platinum. Liquid Silicone has the consistency of cold molasses, is naturally translucent and comes in either pail kits (approx. 80 lbs) or drum kits (approx. 800 lbs). The two parts are mixed and delivered to the barrel of the injection press via a mixing/metering pumping system. If desired, pigment may be added via a pumping system to color the liquid Silicone. The mixed liquid Silicone is then injected into the mold much like gum stock, but the runner, gate and sprue are generally smaller due to its lower viscosity. Once in the mold, the liquid Silicone cures at a much faster rate than typical high consistency Silicone due to its platinum cure system. As a result of this rapid cure cycle, the part price is frequently lower than parts made using conventional molding processes such as Compression, Transfer and Injection Molding. For more information, visit: www.kdlprecision.com.

Durometer Shore Hardness
Silicone, Fluorosilicone, and Viton™, (Fluorocarbon) are just some of the compounds we use. The Custom Rubber Molding of our compounds (formulations) are custom made for your application. Although we have many "standard" materials, every part has a specific formulation. We have over 600 existing formulas to choose from. Should one of these not meet your needs, we will gladly formulate a new compound for your application without a special "set-up charge."

Silicone: 5-80 Shore A
Fluorosilicone: 40-80 Shore A
Viton™: 50-90 Shore A
Neoprene: 45-95 Shore A
Nitrile: 40-90 Shore A
Ethylene Propylene Rubber: 45-90 Shore A

Business IS Personal

2009-08-26T17:45:00Z

Business IS Personal

Many years ago, a co-worker once told me, "it's not personal, it's business." That statement has never really satisfied me. The reason being, if I spend the majority of my day working with business minded people, how can it not become personal? In all of my years of marketing experience, I've never really stopped to think about what I do. Sure, I build websites, I write newsletters, I do PR, I make advertisements. But anyone who owns a business can do all those things too. At the end of the day, and more importantly at the start of each day, I look forward to interacting with people who have trusted me with their marketing program -- the statement "it's not personal it's business" could not be further from the truth.

Recently I was given the opportunity to redesign the 3DSUG website. Thank you, I truly enjoy working for you. Additionally, 3DSUG established its place in the social media arena. The 3DSUG SmartSpace is a first ever for the organization, but if you think about it, it closely mirrors the personal business relationships many of you foster each year at the annual conference. Many of you have already started to connect through various social media channels. If you haven't, you can view these sites at the following locations:

More importantly, I urge you all to get connected. Use the power of the internet and social media channels that are readily available to help you connect with like-minded individuals and make your business more personal!

Best regards, Nadra Angerman

Angerman Communications Group
Get Nadrafied! Join my social network: www.nadrafied.com | SmartSpace

Read news article: "A New Way for Businesses to Turn a Domain Name into a Corporate Social Space"

The Sorovetz Report

2009-08-25T17:49:00Z

Well summer is over (it seems to go so fast as we get older) and now it is time to start focusing on the 2010 Conference. The 2010 Conference will take place April 25 - 29 at the Hilton at Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The 2010 Conference planning is in full swing so if you have any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas, please e-mail them to the E-Board (e-mail addresses are on the www.3dsug.org website.) We want to continue to improve the Conference year over year, so your input is extremely valuable.

The Hilton will be providing round trip transportation from the Albuquerque Airport. More details on this will be available in the January newsletter. Several airlines will be adding flights into the Santa Fe Airport starting in January 2010 and I will send out more information on this as soon as it becomes available.

Bob Dzugan (BuyCastings.com) is once again spearheading the annual golf outing which will take place on the Hilton property at the TOWA Golf Club, so please contact Bob (rdzugan@buycastings.com) for more information.

Derek Ellis (Met-L-Flo) is working on a Fly Fishing Trip ($125.00 - $150.00 per person based on three or more people). Derek is also working on a White Water Rafting outing at $65.00 per person. If you are interested in Fishing or Rafting, please contact Derek at (derek.ellis@met-l-flo.com)

For those of you who are planning to bring your spouse, I am looking into a Mexican Food Cooking Class in downtown Santa Fe ($100.00 per person) if there are at least 10 people interested. If your spouse is interested, please let me know so I can start a roster.

As always we are trying to expand our Vendor Fair as well as the number of Attendees so if you know of any Vendor that may benefit from exhibiting please talk to the. If you know of any potential attendee please contact them and talk to them about the User Group as well as having them login to our website (www.3dsug.org) to register their information so we can keep our database updated as well as keeping them updated.

Hope to see everyone is Santa Fe in 2010,

Thomas Sorovetz, Chrysler & 3DSUG Site Coordinator
Email: sitecoordinator (at) 3dsug.org

Classifieds: For Sale

2009-08-18T13:27:00Z

Do you have new or used equipment for sale? Post your classified ad here: ...

Classifieds: Wanted

2009-08-18T13:25:00Z

Look to purchase new or used equipment? Post your WANTED AD here: ...

3D Virtual Reality Center

2009-08-15T17:51:00Z

The 3D/VR Center at SiMT is one of only six Interactive Digital Centers in the world. Specializing in the design, development and implementation of 3D/Virtual Reality business solutions for sales, marketing, prototyping and manufacturing, the center works with business and industry to develop immersive and interactive user experiences. The 3D/VR Center can create virtual prototypes, allowing engineers and industrial designers to evaluate new products prior to building a 3D model. Clients can design in CAD, review prototypes (virtually) and then order rapid prototype models (SLA and SLS) to test form, fit and function. Virtual Reality is the next generation product development solution for companies looking for advanced technologies and processes as they speed new products to market. www.simt.com | read entire newsletter...

Designing for Manufacturability

2009-08-04T17:56:00Z

Designing for Manufacturability

Part Two from SiMT RapidPrototyping CenterSiMT RapidPrototyping Center

Product Intent

When you ask an industrial designer what is the most important thing to take into consideration when designing for manufacturability, you will like get the following response, "It all comes down to the intent of the product and what will make it successful and meaningful." Many designers will agree if a product is designed to provide a rich experience for the user, then all efforts must be directed into that area -- even at the expense of challenging the most straight forward manufacturing processes. The iPhone is just one example of a product that could have been created with less effort to save every phase in the manufacturing process a great deal of time and money; however that, might have been detrimental to the final consumer experience. The iPhone's popularity and sales undoubtedly justify any iterative design process and approval to manufacture a complex product design. "Rapid manufacturing and additive technologies are exciting and new, but should only be used if the final product experience requires and justifies it," says Scott Summit of Summit ID. "That being said, there are many areas where the unique benefits of rapid manufacturing can solve a human need in ways that traditional manufacturing cannot." For example, the ability to quickly evaluate a prototype for fit and function; as well as, the ability to quickly manufacture a product with additive processes like Selective Laser Sintering and 3D Printing.

Economics and Scheduling
While most manufacturers believe that product design and customer service may be the ultimate way to distinguish a company's capabilities in a competitive marketplace, some believe a designer's primary objective is to design a functioning product within given economic and schedule constraints. Even still, Designing for Manufacturability can impact a company's success and profitability as research has indicated that the decisions made in the first 5% of product design can determine the majority of a products cost, quality and manufacturability characteristics. "The application of Designing for Manufacturability must consider the overall design economics." Kenneth Crow of DRM Associates. "It must balance the effort and cost associated with development and refinement of the design to the cost and quality leverage that can be achieved." Research has also shown that decisions made during concept development can commit 60-70% of a products cost and decisions made through detailed design of the product and process can commit 80-90% of a products cost. Still most manufacturers agree, efforts to optimize a product's design can be justified with high-value or high-volume products, for example, medical devices and high-end consumer products. This is indicated in the following figure:

Part Shapes, Costs and Product Volume
"When designing a product that will be manufactured through processes such as cast urethane or injection molding, it is important to take into consideration the part shapes, costs and product volume," says Dale Dell'Ario of Ario Design. Generally one associates injection molding and die casting with high product volumes. These processes result in relatively inexpensive parts and require significant investments in tooling. Additionally they place constraints on designers. Some examples; the least expensive tooling requires that parts have tapered sides known as draft. Undercuts in the sides of parts must generally be eliminated be able to get parts out of their tools. Parts may be made with no draft and undercuts accomodated with more complicated and sometimes dramatically more expensive tooling. More design time may be required as well. The industrial designer therefore must juggle desired functionality and form with tooling budget. Rapid manufacturing additive processes, urethane parts made from flexible tooling, and traditional casting processes sidestep the constraints of draft and undercuts, and all result in higher part costs, hence the maxim, low volume comes with high part cost and high volume (low cost) parts come with big tooling outlays.

Angerman Communications Group Announces Availability of SmartSpace™

2009-08-01T01:20:00Z

Seattle, WA / July 31, 2009 -Angerman Communications Group, a strategic marketing firm specializing in social media strategies, has announced the availability of SmartSpace™ in response to corporations looking for an easy way to create an online social network for their business. SmartSpace™ turns a domain into a Website featuring all favorite content, including photos, videos and blog posts -- even content from Digg™ accounts, Facebook® profiles, Flickr® albums and YouTube® channels.

SocialSpace is the cornerstone of SmartSpace. It's an Internet-based social aggregator for people with a Facebook profile, YouTube channel and Flickr or SmugMug album. SocialSpace brings them all together - right next to your own Blog and Web Site!

"SmartSpace helps you get online instantly using your own Domain," said Nadra Angerman. "With SmartSpace, you'll have a Web site ready and waiting when you log in -- just personalize it by easily adding your own text, photos and more, and you're live on the Web with your own unique site."

"It's just one more marketing tool for people trying to make business more personal," Angerman added.

SmartSpace Features

Display your personal content from:

Digg
Facebook
Flickr
Weather.com
YouTube

Add widgets to display dynamic information:

Feedzilla RSS Feeds
Business
Entertainment
Health and Lifestyle
News
Politics
Stock Updates
Technology
Any RSS Feed

Use more fun widgets, like:

Blogs
Clock
Countdown Clock
Favorites
Notes
Quote of the day

SmartSpace also includes a Blog Toolfor publishing thoughts, opinions, comments and videos in a personal blog, and a Photo Site for sharing, printing and managing photos online.

About Angerman Communications Group
ACG is a sales-focused marketing agency, passionate about new product development, rapid prototyping and direct manufacturing. ACG offers clients a multidisciplinary approach to business development with expertise in public relations, direct email marketing, website development and social media. www.angerman.com

DDM Competition

2009-07-13T16:45:00Z

Direct Digital Manufacturing (additive manufacturing) has the unique capability of being able to produce virtually any shape of component, no matter how complex. Each year, SME recognizes industry leaders who participate in the 2009 DDM Competition. This years competition winners were:

First Place:
James Potter, Heather Humphreys, Yang Xie and Raphael Okereke, Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta) Submission: Customized golf clubs with integrated sensors
Second Place:
Marc Hanratty, Loughborough University (Loughborough, Leicestershire, England) Submission: Computer speakers
Third Place:
Kelly Alexander, University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) Submission: Rolling ball kinetic sculpture

The criteria for the 2010 competition are still being defined. If you would like to get involved next year, contact the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Direct Digital Manufacturing Tech Group or visit the SME DDM website.

Designing for Manufacturability

2009-07-09T16:28:00Z

When we think about "rapid prototyping" the term "speed to market" most often comes to mind. But there are others aspects of rapid prototyping that are sometimes overlooked, and the coming issues of our newsletter will combine a variety of perspectives on designing for manufacturability with the latest examples of additive manufacturing. If you have any questions or information you would like to contribute, please let me know. -- Jonathan Wilke

Designing for Manufacturability

Manufacturing Processes and Aesthetics

Industrial design is an applied art whereby the aesthetics and usability of mass-produced products may be improved for marketability and production; however, in an industrial manufacturing setting, aesthetics may be forced into a minor role. "When designing products that are to be manufactured, a designer is more apt to begin with the design requirements of an industrial arena in mind rather than looking at a demographic of consumers that might purchase something on impulse because it looks cool as would an Industrial Designer," says Matthew Kusz of Kusz IDEAS.

From an industrial design perspective, designing products that can be manufactured has little to do with design and more to do with money. Anything can be made. The consideration of cost for complex tooling or expensive material costs has to be made early in the design concept states. As a result, designers need to be aware of meeting the requirements of a manufacturable state. For instance, keeping tooling and material costs down.

So, what should a manufacturer look for in an industrial designer? A designer who understands rapid technologies and manufacturing methods (design/modeling, fit/function prototyping and direct digital manufacturing), and one who knows how to balance aesthetics with manufacturability. Making a rapid prototyping investment in the early design phase can also eliminate costs associated with unnecessary modifications to tooling. This is particularly true in the area of injection molded parts. Due to the fact that once a tool has been made, modifications to the tool to improve the design can be prohibited by cooling lines, material thickness, slides and gates!

Additive Manufacturing

Layer Upon Layer

Additive Manufacturing is the process of making a product by adding layers in a relatively efficient way to eliminate waste and often reduce material costs. Stereolithograhy (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and other rapid technologies are becoming popular alternatives to traditional manufacturing processes.

"Methods of additive manufacturing are creating new markets for limited-edition and one-of-a-kind products," said Terry Wohlers of Wohlers Associates. "Additive manufacturing is causing some companies and individuals to rethink the way products are developed and brought to market. A new type of manufacturer is emerging that is not operating from a traditional manufacturing facility."

Rapid technologies continue to help companies in numerous industries reduce lead times associated with design, prototyping, and manufacturing. South Carolina based buiness Bravo! is no exception and recently hired SiMT Rapid Prototyping Center to manufacture its store signage with the Stereolithography process.

Display signage manufactured with SLA process at SiMT Rapid Prototyping Center. Sign measured 24" x 18" x 3" and was painted and mounted to a sheetrock wall at a Bravo! Event & Party Rental business location in South Carolina.

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT SiMT?

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have specific questions or if you would like to see your rapid prototyping project featured in this newsletter.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Wilke, Rapid Prototyping Center

Email Jonathan
Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology
1951 Pisgah Road, Florence, SC 29502
(843) 413-2747 | www.simt.com

Met-L-Flo Podcast

2009-07-07T16:40:00Z

Met-L-Flo received Best of Tradeshow Award at NPE this year. During a show podcast, Carl Dekker discussed how Additive Fabrication and Additive Manufacturing Technologies will be used to help improve overall efficiency, repeatability and quality of products that are manufactured locally and globally in the future. Download Podcast... ...

httGardner Publications, Inc. and DEMAT GmbH Announce Joint Venture Leading Publisher and Trade Show Organizer to Hold Premier Product Development Event in 2010: amerimold at PD-x

2009-06-24T16:26:00Z

Gardner Publications, Inc. and DEMAT GmbH Announce Joint Venture Leading Publisher and Trade Show Organizer to Hold Premier Product Development Event in 2010: amerimold at PD-x

CHICAGO, June, 24, 2009. Gardner Publications, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) and DEMAT GmbH (Frankfurt am Main) have announced an agreement in principle to hold the firstever Product Development-Experience (PD-x) with amerimold, to be held in Cincinnati, OH, May 11 to 13, 2010, at the Cincinnati Convention Center.

In announcing the agreement, Richard G. Kline, president of Gardner Publications Inc., said, “The EuroMold show has become the premier European event for those interested in design, product development, rapid prototyping, moldmaking, and related technologies and processes. We will bring this experience—and more to North America with the cooperation of DEMAT.”

While there are a variety of trade shows and conferences being held throughout North America, amerimold at PD-x is being organized to provide product development professionals with the know-how and expertise necessary to accelerate time-to-market with innovative products.

Dr. Ing. Eberhard Döring, director of DEMAT, said, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to bring the EuroMold experience to the North American market, as we recognize the global footprint of an increasing number of companies.” With companies including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, and GE Aviation having headquarters in Cincinnati, and with the renown University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning (DAAP), it is a world-leading center for product development.

Gardner Publications Inc., established in 1928, is a leading producer of publications, websites and events including Time Compression, MoldMaking Technology, Plastics Technology, Modern Machine Shop and High-Performance Composites, all dedicated to advancing the state of knowledge for designers, engineers, manufacturers, and managers throughout industry.

DEMAT GmbH is the organizer of events including EuroMold, asiamold and RosMould, leading trade fairs for moldmaking and tooling, design and application development.

Contact: Lisa Dodge
Gardner Publications, Inc.
734.709.3822
ldodge@gardnerweb.com
www.gardnerweb.com
Download

3DSUG to Exhibit at NPE 2009 TC Expo

2009-06-22T16:00:00Z

3DSUG to Exhibit at NPE 2009 TC Expo. 3DSUG was established to encourage and coordinate technical information exchange between owners and operators of 3D Systems equipment and provide feedback to 3D Systems on hardware and software modifications. The 3DSUG will meet annually to provide a forum for presentation of papers relating to the dissemination of processes and new technologies related to the operation of 3D Systems equipment and the secondary or final application of parts or/and tools made from these systems. For more information, visit: www.3dsug.org
...

Materialise Launches Mimics User Community

2009-06-19T17:40:00Z

June 19, 2009 – Materialise is proud to announce the launch of the Mimics User Community. As more and more people begin to use our Mimics software, the need for user interaction became clear. Materialise has responded by developing this exciting new User Community.

The User Community is a place to discover what is going on amongst leaders in the biomedical field. You can learn tips and tricks to increase your efficiency in Mimics and ask biomedical experts from around the world their opinions on your most challenging R&D problems. It is a forum to discuss biomedical issues, share information, post questions or exchange interesting tips concerning Mimics. In addition, the Mimics User Community offers a FAQ section, an archive of scientific articles, a career section and a discussion forum.
Becoming a member of this user community assures you a front row seat when it comes to the latest developments in Mimics. As the User Community is brand new, some parts are still not fully populated. This is of course because we need you, our Mimics user, to contribute. Once you start posting your remarks and questions, this User Community will be a lively place of interesting discussions.
If you already own and love mimics, sign-up today. If you would like more information on Mimics or other Materialise software, please contact us at mimics@materialise.com.

About Materialise
Materialise Software develops innovative software applications for enabling and optimizing the advanced use of rapid prototyping (RP), tooling and manufacturing techniques. Whether it's STL file handling and manipulation, preparation for rapid prototyping, tool design, file optimization for CAE, design optimization or even reverse engineering, our software equips customers to accomplish their most challenging tasks with ease. Materialise Software offers a wide range of activities applicable in a variety of markets and industries. Its SDS department develops customized, integrated software applications. Our highly automated solutions boost efficiency and reduce lead-times, resulting in increased productivity within entire processes. (www.materialise.com)

In-Mold Labeling and Decorating Introduced by Industramark(TM), a Standard Register Business Unit

2009-06-18T17:44:00Z

New Proprietary In-Mold Labels Ensure Permanence, Durability and Flexibility for Industrial Plastic Parts

DAYTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 18, 2009-- Industramark™, a Standard Register (NYSE:SR) business unit, today introduced its latest innovative product offering to industrial manufacturers: In-Mold Labeling and Decorating.

Made possible through a strategic partnership with Dayton, Ohio-based Fusion Graphics, in-mold labeling and decorating allows manufacturers to enhance the appearance of their products by expanding available decoration space, including curved, contoured and textured surfaces. In-mold labels bond with molded parts and are permanent and non-removable, providing manufacturers with safety labeling that lasts the life of the product.

Using existing molds and tooling, in-mold labels work with all thermoplastics and rubber. The in-mold process is eco-friendly and cost-effective, minimizing the waste typically associated with pressure-sensitive labels. In-mold labels also are completely recyclable.

“In-mold labeling and decorating provides a secure and cost-effective method of fusing safety messages and decorative elements into a plastic or rubber product,” said Tom Furey, vice president and general manager, Industramark. “This process assures manufacturers that they will remain compliant with various agency and government product safety regulations while at the same time, maintaining their brand image through the harshest elements and conditions.”

Industramark’s In-Mold Labeling and Decorating uses patented Grafilm^® technology that was developed in Dayton by Fusion Graphics. “This proprietary in-mold label material has a unique composition, giving Industramark a significant advantage over other commercially available in-mold labeling materials today,” said David Coughlin, director of operations, Industramark. “The Grafilm is a 7-mil micro porous plastic film that becomes a part of the product by bonding with virtually all thermoplastics, resulting in labels that can withstand the elements of nature, rough handling and resistance to gasoline and other harsh chemicals.”

An ideal solution for decorative, branding and safety labels, in-mold labeling and decorating enhances the appearance of durable plastic parts while reducing the risk of label failure. It accomplishes this through:

Permanence, lasting the life of the product and irremovable by the end user
Durability, withstanding harsh conditions and chemicals without fading
Flexibility, conforming to the part’s shape and texture

“Fusion’s in-mold label technology is unique and offers significant value to manufacturers of durable goods,” said Bob Freund, chief operating officer, Fusion Graphics. “By partnering with Standard Register’s Industramark business unit, we can take advantage of the company’s national footprint and enable manufacturers across North America to capitalize on the benefits of in-mold labeling.”

Industramark will be showcasing its In-Mold Labeling and Decorating products and services during the NPE 2009 International Plastics Showcase in Chicago. Attendees are encouraged to stop by Booth #W95030 to learn more about how in-mold labeling and decorating can enhance plastic products and parts.

About Industramark™

Industramark is a business unit of Standard Register focused on the industrial manufacturing market. The business unit is poised to become the printed production parts market leader and supplier of choice for multi-site manufacturers, particularly in the areas of functional and decorative labels and technical literature. Industramark solutions are designed to help manufacturers realize efficiency through the removal of waste from the manufacturing process; compliance through reduced risk of product liability claims; and distinction through the latest product decoration technology. For more information, visit www.industramark.com.

About Standard Register

Standard Register is a premier document services provider, trusted by companies to manage the critical documents they need to thrive in today’s competitive climate. Employing nearly a century of industry expertise, Lean Six Sigma methodologies and leading technologies, the company helps organizations increase efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, grow revenue and meet the challenges of a changing business landscape. It offers document and label solutions, technology solutions, consulting and print supply chain services to help clients manage documents across their enterprises. More information is available at www.standardregister.com.

Source: Standard Register

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