During the past year, the additive manufacturing industry has examined how moving into the production of functional parts for customers, compared to only producing prototypes, will help companies flourish. When Union Tech Inc. exhibited at the Additive Manufacturing Users group 2017, the goal was to share an updated perspective with AM users of the significant potential of stereolithography technology for prototypes and beyond based on advances in equipment, materials and application know-how.
Photo Caption: Geoff Combs (center) from Aerosport Modeling and Design, a new UnionTech™ customer, stopped by to talk and look over the equipment with Jeremy Vos (right) Sales Director, RP Sales, and Dan Terpstra (left) President, RP Support America.
At the booth, the Union Tech Inc. team elaborated on the concept of a “fresh dimension in SL equipment”: open design for user based material and vendor selection, cost effective ownership throughout the equipment’s life cycle and the combination of design components that produce superior side wall quality directly from the machine. Attendees were impressed with the robustness of construction, including a granite recoater base and components from internationally recognized suppliers such as Spectra-Physics, SCANLAB, Materialise and Panasonic.
RP Sales America, Inc., US Distributor for the UnionTechTM SL equipment, exhibited parts built on their RSPro600 and Pilot SD machine that illustrated a wide range of applications including light weight structures, investment casting patterns and metal/SL hybrid parts.
Photo Caption: On display at the Union Tech booth was a wide range of parts representing application capabilities. The part above demonstrates the ability to create reinforced hollow parts with full control over sidewall thickness.
Another opportunity to learn about the potential of stereolithography arrived during the AMUG technical competition and part finishing. On display, was a wide range of objects developed using only additive manufacturing materials and equipment. The Somos® team created a Japanese Samurai with the helmet and hands produced on Union Tech Inc. equipment using various Somos® materials. Members of the Somos® team said the initial finish on both parts was a high-quality finish. The smoother finish drastically reduced the amount of time needed to prepare and sand them for painting.
Photo Caption: Somos’® Samurai “Top 3” finish in the Advanced Finishing Division of the AMUG Technical Competition. The hands and helmet were produced on Union Tech Inc. equipment.
“During the production of the Samurai, we used Union Tech Inc. equipment for the helmet and hands. We were impressed with the finish of these parts, especially on the hands. They were impressive right off the machine and required little preparation time for the final display,” stated John Warner, Senior Lab Technician for Somos® and part of the two man team responsible for the submission.
Union Tech Inc. also utilized a Platinum sponsor speaking opportunity to present “Innovating Business Model Concepts for Additive Manufacturing Growth”
“The standing room only group of users choosing this from 16 concurrent presentation confirmed our impression that there remains significant opportunities to explore with existing AM solutions, integrated with other processes and different business models. As a result of this interest, Union Tech Inc. will have a white paper available for attendees of the SME Rapid & TCT event in Pittsburg, May 9-11, 2017, and it will be hosted on our website right after the event for download.”
About Union Tech Inc.
Established in 2000, the UnionTechTM brand of photopolymer 3D printing equipment is now the domestic China market leader in stereolithography. In 2016, the formation of Union Tech, Inc., in St. Charles, Illinois, a fully owned subsidiary of Shanghai Union Technology Corporation, marked our expansion into North America. International distributorships and agents have also been established throughout Europe and Russia. RP Sales America is the US distributor for Union Tech Inc. equipment. For more information www.uniontech3d.com
About RP Sales America, Inc.
Based in New Sharon, Iowa, RPSA distributes Union Tech Inc. an RSPro line of stereolithography equipment. RPSA is pleased to provide demonstrations. RP Sales America, Inc., through its sister company, RP Support America, Inc., ensures technical support and service of the UnionTech™ RSPro SL product line. To learn more, email info@RPSales.us, call 641-651-0266, or visit www.rpsales.us.
