Re: European Market Developments

From: Ralf Deuke (rd@Alphaform.de)
Date: Wed Oct 14 1998 - 22:20:21 EEST


Dear Bruce,
here is a short (simply not possible) picture of the European market
from the viewpoint of a service bureau located near munich, Germany.
Due to our location it is a german viewpoint.Here some facts:
Here are SLA´s by 3D Systems and STEREOS machines by EOS in use,
since EOS sold SLA-field last year, there is only 3D left for new
machines. On most STEREOS machines DuPont resin is used, on nearly
all SLA´s (3D) Ciba resins are used. There are some STEREOS with Ciba
and some SLA with DuPont and RPC is the third player in the game on
both types of machines. Users are getting more flexible in choosing
their material supplier. STEREOS and 3D machines are equipped with
HeCd-, Ar-ion- or Solid-state-lasers.
 Sintering stations in use are made by EOS or by DTM, there are
various materials for both available.
 Prototype demand in Germany is growing, but there is a strong demand
for functional prototypes. This means, that due to the limited
mechanical and thermal properties of the old (?!) resin generations
more than 80% of SLA parts were used for follow-up techniques like
silicone moulding and vacuum casting. An other alternative for
functional prototypes is sintering technique, but surface is still
not good enough for some applications. This changed with the new
resin generations we are using: DuPont´s 7100 family is able to
withstand high temperatures (80-90°C), high humidity and is very
rigid. DuPont´s new 8100 resin provides flexible parts for real
snapfit applications and also withstands high humidity and different
chemical fluids (brake fluid, etc.).This opens up new fields for
stereolithography and its applications.
To answer your last question:
we are looking for all types of prototyping machines and techniques,
because each technique, each material has it´s own benefits for.
There is a trend for rapid tooling applications of any kind.
special applications.
Sorry, but shorter was simply impossible.
Ralf Deuke
Internal service and material distribution
Alphaform GmbH
Kapellenstr. 10
85622 Feldkirchen, Germany
Tel: 0049 89 90 50 02 51
Fax: 0049 89 90 50 02 90
e-mail: rd@alphaform.de

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