Industrial Factory Automation

The Realization Group is using a combination of Z Corporation's ZP150 build material and the multicolour 3D ZPrinter450 to meet demand for models with richer colours and improved mechanical strength. 'Purer whites are especially important for architects, who traditionally prefer white models early in the design process so they can consider design, massing and space without the distraction of colour,' explains Rafael Tapanes, founder of the multidimensional architectural visualisation firm. 'Although earlier generation bone-white models are acceptable, customers have long been asking for pure white,' he added. Architecture is a key sector for Realization Group, which helps clients breathe life into abstract concepts. Finely detailed physical massing models are created rapidly and cost effectively using the recently installed ZPrinter450 multicolour twin-head 3D printer. 'Speed is the key,' said Tapanes. 'I can take an order for a model today and deliver ...

DEK has launched its Over Top Snuggers (OTS) substrate clamping technology. Securing printed circuit boards firmly in place ready for processing, the flexible technology is designed to ensure high-quality printing for enhanced end-of-line yield. OTS clamps the board flat before enabling finite snugging and clamp control for precise board location. The board is pulled down flat to enable a strong vacuum tooling contact and the clamps are then pulled away from the board top face surface to allow close-edge printing. By optimising edge-printed paste deposits, this process enhances yield potential. The OTS system automatically adjusts for variations in board thickness, eliminating setup requirements between production batches and runs and removing the need for manual intervention. The clamps will also automatically adjust for out-of-parallel boards. The technology uses the Instinctiv V9 user interface software to adjust and store clamp and snug pressure via a touch-screen interface. OTS i...