RedEye RPM PC/ABS for FDM Rapid Prototyping

Subcategory: Polycarbonate; ABS Polymer; Thermoplastic; Polymer

Material Notes:
This thermoplastic polymer blend combines PC (Polycarbonate) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) to produce an industrial material with a lot to offer. It combines the strength of PC with the flexibility of ABS. With excellent heat-resistance and mechanical properties, it is significantly stronger than ABS. PC/ABS parts are built with a layered manufacturing process utilizing Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, often used in rapid prototyping. Parts produced from this technology will maintain dimensional stability.

Applications

PC/ABS is an affordable option where strength and rigidity are necessary in conjunction with toughness and temperature tolerance. It produces parts with good surface appeal. This blend is widely used in industries such as automotive, electronics, toys and telecommunications. Parts built from PC/ABS can also be used as masters for RTV molds and vacuum forming, vacuum metallization, electroplating, and parts that require snap fits

When used in FDM, this blend is ideal for the rapid production of prototypes, tooling and rapid manufacturing of production parts in lieu of injection molding. Rapid (or layered) manufacturing provides multiple benefits:

• High design iterations – while in production the design engineer has the freedom to modify geometry’s on the fly which cannot be done once you have committed to tooling
• Bridge manufacturing – with rapid manufactured parts, production can begin while permanent tooling is on order
• Jigs and Fixtures to be used on manufacturing/production lines
• For those manufacturers who practice lean manufacturing techniques or who maintain just-in-time inventories, RM can conserve cash flow
• Alpha and beta product releases – manufacturers can produce accurate, durable products even in the earliest stages of production