Rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturer Proto Labs, Inc.
(NYSE:PRLB) has added optical-grade liquid silicone rubber (LSR) to its
existing lineup of moldable plastic, metal and LSR materials.
High-performance optical LSR is transparent, extremely flexible and
starting to replace glass in many optical applications.
Optical liquid silicone rubber parts like lenses work particularly well for lighting applications due their clarity, durability and scratch resistance. (Photo: Business Wire)
The engineering-grade thermoset offers a host of benefits for those
developing components and products inside the lighting industry. Optical
LSR does not discolor or lose transparency with age or with exposure to
heat or UV light; it is significantly lighter than glass and most other
plastics; and it is scratch and crack resistant, among many other
advantages.
“One of the more exciting aspects that optical silicone presents to a
designer is its ability to reduce the bill of materials in a final
assembly,” explains Jeff Schipper, Proto Labs’ product manager for LSR.
“In a lighting application, for example, you have a lens and seal that
would traditionally be two parts. With optical LSR, you can combined the
two into a single part, which reduces cost and overall inventory.”
Proto Labs will be in Las Vegas this week (Feb. 24-26) at the Strategies
in Light conference discussing optical LSR along with its other
quick-turn injection molding, CNC machining and 3D printing capabilities.
About Proto Labs, Inc.
Proto Labs is a leading online and
technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer of custom parts for
prototyping and short-run production. Proto Labs provides “Real Parts,
Really Fast” by utilizing injection molding, computer numerical control
(CNC) machining and additive manufacturing to produce parts for product
designers and engineers worldwide. For more information, visit
protolabs.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150224005107/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2015