FDM rapid prototypes now can give finer details. (Materials).

New "high-resolution" ABS and polycarbonate modeling materials allow users of FDM rapid-prototyping systems from Minneapolis-based Stratasys, Inc. to dramatically improve the quality of prototypes. The FDM (fused deposition modeling) process depends on precise control of the modeling material, a plastic filament that is continuously melted and deposited to form a prototype. The prototype's quality is affected by the filament's thickness uniformity.

The new high-resolution materials, which replace older formulas, reportedly have a tighter tolerance on filament diameter. As a result, they are said to be suited to building thin-wall models with fine features or small models for which details are more important. Tel: [phone], www.stratasys.com