Reebok Runs with 3D Systems' DuraForm(R) Flex Plastic.Elastomeric, Flexible Material for Selective Laser Sintering See laser sintering and 3D printer. Systems Enables Production of Complex, Functional Prototypes for Athletic Equipment ROCK HILL, S.C. -- 3D Systems Corporation (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : TDSC TDSC Thai Development Support Committee TDSC Time Domain Signal Coding TDSC Test Driver System - Charlie TDSC Time-Domain Spreading Code ), a leading provider of 3-D Modeling, Rapid Prototyping Building a part one layer at a time using a method of additive fabrication such as 3D printing. Such parts are used for concept modeling to determine if the product design meets the customer's expectations. and Manufacturing solutions, announced today that Reebok Ree´bok` n. 1. (Zool.) The peele. is successfully utilizing 3D Systems' DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic for a number of its products. DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic is flexible and soft, yet tear-resistant and durable. This thermoplastic elastomer Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. material is ideal for creating complex, functional prototypes of Reebok footwear, sandals and athletic equipment. It can also be used to produce prototype gaskets, hoses and seals, and for the complex production and prototyping of plastic parts. Reebok has found DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic to be easy to process in its 3D Systems' Selective Laser Sintering System. Unlike earlier generation materials, DuraForm([R]) Flex directly produces durable parts. Secondary infiltration infiltration /in·fil·tra·tion/ (in?fil-tra´shun) 1. the pathological diffusion or accumulation in a tissue or cells of substances not normal to it or in amounts in excess of the normal. 2. infiltrate (2). is optional, but users can add color, improve burst strength and create a water-tight barrier. Five colors are available - black, red, yellow, blue and natural, which can be mixed to create custom colors. Reebok produces parts at a 0.15 mm. [0.006 in.] layer thickness, which is comparable to other flexible materials, yet DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic delivers an exceptional surface finish and the ability to create parts with fine-feature details. By further reducing layer thicknesses from 0.15 mm. to 0.1 mm. [0.004 in.], DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic offers up to a 33 percent improvement in resolution. Parts built from DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic are able to withstand repeated bending and flexing as well as harsh functional testing (testing) functional testing - (Or "black-box testing", "closed-box testing") The application of test data derived from the specified functional requirements without regard to the final program structure. . By varying machine process conditions, this material can consistently create parts with optimized Shore A hardnesses ranging between 45 and 75. "Our application is different than most," said Gary Rabinovitz, Rapid Prototyping Lab Manager at Reebok. "We build one or two confirmation samples out of 3D Systems' DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic. The parts are very flexible and can be painted, so we get the look and feel of a real shoe. For this type of application, we prefer DuraForm([R]) Flex to all the other materials available on the market." "Duraform([R]) Flex Material gives us a much more consistent and stable material for our flexible parts. We can setup large complex builds that run overnight with the confidence that we will have good results in the morning," added Paul Bates Bates , Katherine Lee 1859-1929. American educator and writer best known for her poem "America the Beautiful," written in 1893 and revised in 1904 and 1911. , Director of Advanced Process Engineering for Reebok International. "3D Systems developed DuraForm([R]) Flex Plastic based on customer suggestions for an improved elastomeric material. We listened to their ideas and integrated the desired properties into this next-generation flexible material," said Abe Reichental, 3D Systems' President and Chief Executive Officer. "The synergy between this material and our SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) See laser sintering and 3D printing. ([R]) Systems enables our customers like Reebok to produce usable parts quickly, shortens product development time, reduces time-to-market and simplifies customization without incurring any capital tooling expense." About 3D Systems 3D Systems is a leading provider of 3-D Modeling, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing solutions. Its systems and materials reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping as well as for production of functional end-use parts: Transform your products. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com, or via e-mail at moreinfo@3dsystems.com. About Reebok Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,775 at the 2000 census. The headquarters of Reebok, Baskin Robbins, Computershare (North American HQ), Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants Interpolymer Corporation and Tweeter are , is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and equipment. A subsidiary of the adidas Group, the company operates under the multiple divisions of the Reebok brand, Reebok-CCM Hockey and the Sports Licensed Division. More information on the company is available at www.rbk.com. |
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