Stereolithography solution helps deliver water to those in need

CHARLESTON, SC, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Lack of safe water and proper sanitation is a very real worldwide crisis. Unsafe water steals the lives of 5,500 people each day. Yet, the tragedy of unclean water often fails to make the headlines. It is a silent killer - one that quietly preys on the world's most marginalized and forgotten people.

Water Missions International is a Christian, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean, safe water to people in developing countries and disaster areas through a variety of technologies.Water Missions International is a Christian, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean, safe water to people in developing countries and disaster areas through a variety of technologies. Their mission: provide sustainable access to safe water so that no person will perish for want of clean drinking water.

Water Missions International has been able to develop low-maintenance, self-sustaining water treatment systems for communities around the world that provide safe drinking water, wastewater management and storm water control. Their system design works well, but it is labor-intensive to produce and must be disassembled for shipping, then reassembled in the field. For this reason, WMI has committed to a process of redesign and improvement. The two-fold goal: reduce the overall system footprint so more units can be shipped in the same space, plus incorporate as many molded plastic parts as possible to reduce cost and improve production rates.

The Challenge: Building a working prototype to test the new design before committing to production
Redesign of Water Missions International's water filtration systems involved creating nearly 40 different working components. Because a project of this size and complexity would require an investment at least $300,000 in tooling alone ---a huge cost for a non-profit organization --- it was determined that a fully functional prototype system must first be designed, built, and evaluated before actual system would be produced.

For high quality prototypes of this type, the stereolithography (SL) process would be used to develop individual components because of its well-established capability to produce parts with tight tolerances.

DSM Somos WaterShed® XC 11122For this application, Somos® stereolithography resins were selected as the materials of choice because of their ability to handle exposure to running water and high pressures without failing. WaterShed® is an optically clear rapid SL prototyping resin developed by Somos® to provide ABS-like properties, clarity and excellent temperature resistance. In this application, it produced clear, functional, accurate parts simulating acrylic in appearance.

Most importantly, WaterShed® XC 11122 provided the lowest available water absorption versus alternative SL resins. The resistance of this resin to moisture resulted in excellent dimensional and physical property stability and facilitated direct rapid manufacturing of the entire water filtration system using the stereolithography process.

The Result: A fully functional, easy-to-install-and-use water filtration system
The new water filtration system design, prototyped using WaterShed® XC 11122 was rigorously evaluated using a variety of tests. This included running the system at maximum capacity, identically to what it would experience in the field. The pump was run at 90 PSI, with flow rates of up to 15 gallons per minute. Additionally, the backwash components were cycled 7,500 times to simulate 20 years of operation with no failures or detectable wear. The prototype system handled the task successfully in all aspects. Since then, the system has also been tested numerous times and continues to perform as required.

The redesign also allows the units to be fully assembled and tested at the plant. It is now completely contained within the structural framework reducing the possibility of damage during transportation. Because these water systems are sent to very remote areas of the world, manpower with technical and mechanical skills is not always readily available. Consequently, it is often necessary to absorb the expenses of hiring and transporting skilled installers from outside the area. The new system will significantly minimize the complexity of onsite assembly resulting in a corresponding reduction of installation costs.

The Bottom Line
Using the new water filtration system prototyped with WaterShed® XC 11122, Water Missions International was able to reduce costs by more than $700 per unit. The previous system, using stainless steel brackets and individually machined nylon and PVC components costs $750. It will now be replaced by injection molded polycarbonate and ABS components costing just $45.

From a materials standpoint, testing proved that WaterShed® XC is very capable of handling demanding physical stresses, as well as extensive exposure to water. Water Missions International was therefore able to move from the prototype phase into production with assurances that money spent would result in everything working as required.

For More information on Water Mission International: 2049 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407 Phone (843) 769-7395 Toll Free (866) 280-7107. http://www.watermissions.org/

Eagle Design and Technology Inc. A Rapid Prototyping Service Bureau located in Western Michigan established in 1994. Our purpose is to assist industry in the design/build process from prototype to production. Over the past fifteen years, we have established one of the highest world-wide reputations for quality in rapid prototyping. 55 East Roosevelt, Zeeland, MI 49464. Phone: (616) 748-1022 Fax: (616) 748-1032. http://www.eagledesign.com

About DSM Somos
DSM Somos is a leading global material supplier to the rapid prototyping industry, providing stereolithography resins used for the creation of three-dimensional models and prototypes directly from digital data. DSM Somos' ProtoFunctional™ materials are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical and telecommunications. SOMOS® resins for stereolithography provide advanced technology to respond to the changing needs of new product development and industrial design. These materials demonstrate a varying range of performance properties including: transparency, superior humidity and heat resistance, and mechanical properties which replicate those of many production grade plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS and PBT. DSM Somos is an unincorporated subsidiary of DSM Desotech Inc. (www.dsmdesotech.com), and part of the global DSM family (www.dsm.com). Technical data on all SOMOS® materials may be found at www.dsmsomos.com.

About DSM - the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM's products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com

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