Rapid Prototyping Capabilities Advance.

Design News, April, 2007 by Smock, Doug

By Doug Smock, Contributing Editor, Materials New technologies allow creation of complex metal prototypes, as well as lower cost parts and printing Significant advances continue in rapid prototyping equipment, with emphasis on new capabilities and cost reduction. For the first time, medical design firms can create complex prototypes with a digital-based technology from Sweden.

"We looked for years for a technology provider that could help us create complex metal models in titanium, allowing us to meet a unique market niche," says Andy Christensen, president of Medical Modeling of Golden, CO. "We believe that use of electron beam melting (EBM) technology will allow many manufacturers of medical devices the ability to reduce or eliminate...