Proto Labs Inc. has added optical-grade liquid silicone rubber to its existing lineup of moldable plastic, metal and LSR materials. The high-performance optical LSR is transparent, Photo Labs said, as well as extremely flexible and starting to replace glass in many optical applications.

 

The engineering-grade thermoset offers a host of benefits for those developing components and products inside the lighting industry, Photo Labs said. The Optical LSR does not discolor or lose transparency with age or with exposure to heat or UV light; it is significantly lighter than glass and most other plastics; and it is scratch and crack resistant, among many other advantages, Proto Labs claims.

 

 

Cold Jet L.L.C. has launched the E160 Pelletizer, an efficient dry ice extruder that has minimal space requirements and is designed to manufacture 3mm-16mm dry ice pellets and nuggets on demand.

 

The E160 Pelletizer provides the best output to footprint ratio in dry ice production, Cold Jet said, and has the lowest maintenance cost and lowest energy consumption.

 

According to Cold Jet, additional features of the fully automatic E160 Pelletizer include: produces up to 160 kg (352 lbs) per hour of consistent, high density dry ice pellets or nuggets on demand; has the highest liquid to solid conversion rate; is simple to operate, either as a standalone machine or when integrated into an automated dry ice cleaning or surface preparation system; has a closed, stainless steel frame; can be operated from cylinders, dewars or storage tanks of liquid CO2; and has multiple industrial voltage ports, enabling global installations.

 

Cold Jet said its dry ice production equipment produces consistent, high density dry ice for transportation and blasting and has been engineered to extrude the highest density dry ice available.

 

 

SMAC, which specializes in the analysis, design and manufacturing of complex rubber parts for demanding fields, has unveiled a new range of applications for its elastomers.

 

With a constant focus on technological innovation, SMAC said it has developed applications dedicated to last generation composite materials. These applications can bring new features to composite materials by improving their technical and physical properties or by minimizing tradeoffs, the company said.

 

The range of applications, the company claims, includes:

 

- SMAC DAMP: Built in the heart of the composite structure, SMACWRAP material placement reduces vibration and noise from carbon fiber panel stiffness. This can be used in the aeronautics, racing boats and prestige automotive applications.

 

- SMAC FLEX: Smart placement of SMACWRAP provides flexibility in torsion or bending to composite materials that are generally extremely stiff. This can be used in the sports and leisure, industry, motorsports and aerospace applications.

 

- SMAC CRASH: The objective is to apply the concept of windshield "TRIPLEX" to composite, namely the incorporation of an elastomer sheet in the composite structure to hold debris in case of a crash. This can be used in automotive, aerospace, helmets and motorsports applications.

 

- SMAC GUM: "Bibs" elastomer may complete the composite structures to ensure tightness. Panels can also be connected by very flexible structures.