Choosing the right materials to develop a project using rapid prototyping services is one of the most important steps you will take in the process. This will have an overall effect on the molding operation, the quality of the finished product, and the performance of the mold itself. With thousands of options available out there, it’s pretty hard to choose one and run with it on a dare. A poor choice of materials will bring doom to your project, and that is not an exaggeration. There are a number of variables that can affect the performance of the product being created as well as the machines crafting it.
Next we’ll be offering a list of some of the most popular choices of material based on performance out there, you can learn about their most prominent features with extended research or by talking with your developer.
· Nylon
Have you ever heard that Nylon is a strong as stainless steel? Well so does rapid prototyping services, since this one of their most common choices and a popular option among developers of mechanical parts and outdoor gear. It’s not strange at all though, nylon has one the highest melting points of any polyamide out there, and it’s also very resistant to outside elements such as weather or chemical products.
· Acrylics
Acrylics are the plastic alternative to glass, and with the right chemical mixture, it can be ten times stronger as the real stuff and even more durable. Acrylics are a popular option to create panoramic windows, translucent walls and high-end pools. Treated acrylics can be customized to enhance ambiances or to hold out supplies. This polymer is often the material of choice for many fridge manufacturers since it can be used to store foods without passing its chemical properties to any organic elements stored on them.
· Polycarbonates
These are some of the most durable polymers available out there. They are the primary choice for developers of optical technologies such as CD’s, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs. The material is mainly considered an upgrade of basic acrylics that with the right technology can withhold data. Unfortunately, this very treatment makes it susceptible to environmental conditions, so it needs to be appropriately stored.
· Polystyrenes
This is none of the most robust polymers available out there and is often used to create durable crates, hard cases, tool boxes, storage boxes and the encasing of high powered tools. Most of these artifacts can only be created using plastic molding procedures at very high temperatures, that’s what provides the material with all the sturdiness it needs to carry out what is required from it. While polystyrenes are considered one though customer, they are also one of the less friendly-environment materials found out there.
· Polypropylenes
This is a polymer with thermal properties, mostly used by the food industry to storage certain products or to create packages based solely on the lack of chemical features contained on it. Polypropylenes can be repeatedly washed and will not lose its properties. It also has incredible resistance to environmental conditions, and it can withstand heavy blows while being very elastic and durable.
