US PROTOTYPERS CHOOSE RENPIM® FOR COMPLEX CAR PARTS
31 October 2003 - Huntsman Advanced Materials

They recently chose RenPIM 6460 rapid setting polyurethane (European equivalent RenPIM 5215) from RenShape® Solutions, part of Huntsman Advanced Materials, to make a batch of automotive air intake manifolds because of its durability and long gel time when casting large parts.

Rapid Prototype Company typically cast RenPIM 6460 in silicone rubber moulds, where it exhibits polypropylene-like performance; with a rapid 15-30 minute demould time.

“The RenPIM polyurethane is easy to handle with a relatively long gel time that works well for casting large parts. It also features the durability we need along with a high heat deflection temperature,” reported Ralph Weil, General Manager of
Rapid Prototype Company “With the broad range of flexibilities and properties available in the RenShape Solutions polyurethane line, we can quickly and economically provide our customers with functional prototypes to meet specific project requirements,” he added.

The RenPIM 6460 polyurethane frequently used at Rapid Prototype Company features a Shore hardness of 80D, a flexural modulus of 1,248 MPa, notched Izod impact strength of 58.7 kJ/m², elongation of 8% and heat deflection temperature of 130°C.

The Rapid Prototype Company has a dedicated SLS modelling department as well as a casting/prototyping shop with an automated meter/mix dispensing machine able to use a range of RenPIM materials.

With automotive projects, the Rapid Prototype Company starts with customer-supplied CAD data and produces a high temperature SLS model for preliminary functional testing.

Further design iterations are then generated using RenShape® SL 7540 or 7545
polypropylene like photopolymers or RenShape Solutions new SL 7560 ABS-like material.

When designers need multiple prototypes, a silicone rubber mould is poured from the SL master, after careful evaluation of the gating, vents and other tool features needed to ensure quality results. After curing overnight in a pressure pot, the mould is ready to cast parts.

To build prototypes, RenLease™ mould 76-aerosol release agent is sprayed on all tool surfaces. The mould is then closed and the RenPIM polyurethane is injected from the automated meter/mix dispensing equipment until the material completely fills the tool and flows from the vents.

“With our mouldmaking care and the RenShape Solutions polyurethanes, we produce beautiful parts right from the tool, even on large, highly detailed parts with thick walls and deep pockets. They have little flash and rarely require secondary finishing,” Weil concluded.

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