The CAD/CAM Laboratory can make three-dimensional prototypes from its CAD creations faster and stronger than ever with its new Dimension Elite 3D printer.

The Elite printer can take a computerized design from the flat screen to the real world—clients can literally see their design grow layer by layer as successive cross sections of material are layered and connected.  

This process, called stereolithography, allows for the quick creation of parts or designs to use as prototypes, demonstrations or handouts for prospective buyers. The Elite printer builds durable, functional models from ABSplus plastic, a version of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. About 40 percent stronger than standard ABS plastic, ABSplus is ideal for creating highly accurate working models that won’t warp, shrink or absorb moisture and that can be machined and tested under a variety of conditions. 

Given a design part, the machine generates the necessary instructions to deposit heated, semi-liquid filament ABSplus plastic material onto a bed layer by layer. The machine is capable of depositing layers as thin as .007 inches or as thick as .010 inches. Once the build is complete, the model is removed from the build foundation and any support structures are simply broken off or dissolved away. The entire process only takes a few hours from start to finish, and no further post-processing is required.