Vista in the News
MoldMaking Technology Magazine dispells Myths of Rapid Tooling.
3M/Vista success story in MoldMaking Technology Magazine
Navigator #18, February 2007
This Navigator highlights two new technologies that Vista has in-house (Polyjet and FDM). This issue also congratulates Vista's Operation Manager, Jennifer Sutherland, for her national recognition in SME.
Here is an article that discusses how RP and RT can assist into production and beyond
Inventing Tomorrow - Power Players
University of Minnesota Magazine, Winter 2006
This article highlights Jim Mishek, graduate of the U of MN, and the success of Vista Technologies.
The New Faces of Engineering
USA TODAY Ad, Feb. 15 2006
This is an announcement from the Engineers Week committee that appeared in the first section of USA Today. It highlights Jennifer Sutherland as one of the
New Faces of Engineering.
Navigator #17, February 2006
Join us in celebrating our 10th Anniversary. We share our success story with the RingFlute, a rapid tooling
application using a 1+1 family aluminum mold. Send us your success stories.
Navigator #16, January 2006
Read about our rapid tooling abilities over larger part sizes. Also learn about two new SLA materials, the Accura "SI-50" and the
soft-durometer flexible MR-45.
View Archived Newsletters
"Additive or subtractive? Which rapid prototyping process is right for your job?" Manufacturing Engineering, April 2005
"Perseverance Pays Off: Rapid Prototype Maker Vista Technologies Comes Through a Tough Time Leaner and Stronger," St. Paul Pioneer Press, March 21, 2004
The Navigator Newsletter
Navigator #15, April 2005
Family Tool Navigator - This issue highlights the advantages in cost and in lead-time in making family tools. Success stories are shared discussing molds that have been run in production volume.
Navigator #14, January 2005
Read about how design, processing and materials effect the final outcome of your plastic part design. Also read about our new facility which brings our Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Tooling Divisions under one roof.
Navigator #13, September 2003
Read about how we became an exclusive DSM Somos Resins user. Learn about how many parts you can get from a mold. Find out why our Rapid Tooling Center continues to grow and succeed.
Navigator #12, August 2002
We have officially opened our Rapid Tooling Center. Now you can get spec material parts, FAST! Learn more about our high-speed machining capabilities.
Navigator #11, April 2002
Need a metal casting? Learn more about our three main metal casting applications: investment casting, sand casting and rubber plaster molding. The pros and cons of each application are discussed.
Navigator #10, October 2001
Read about our newest equipment, the Viper si2. Also included are articles on two new SLA resins, Somos 9120 Epoxy and Somos WaterClear 10120.
Navigator #9, July 2001
Read articles on RTV molding and urethane casting applications.
Navigator #8, February 2001
Learn about a pro bono project we did that helped make shoe soles for a man with size 25EEEEEEEEEE feet. Also included is a thorough article about SLA and its applications.
Navigator #7, March 2000
Read articles on Keltool, impellers and new software called Magics RP.
Navigator #6, October 2000
Read about blow molding and our new service that allows texture to be added to SLA models.
Navigator #5, June 1999
Learn about a new epoxy resin called DSM 8110 and our new service for wax modeling. Also included is an article on investment casting.
Navigator #4, March 1999
Brush up on your rapid tooling vocabulary, and read some tips on designing for rapid tooling success. (link to "Definitions of Rapid Tooling" at top of list on page http://www.vistatek.com/vistapub.html)
Navigator #3, January 1999
Read articles about our top-of-the-line SLA 5000 and about using SLA patterns for prototype casting.
Navigator #2, April 1998
Learn about creating SLA molds and patterns as well as data transfer for SLA production.
Navigator #1, December 1997
Our first newsletter includes articles about rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing to make physical models or prototypes.
Resources and Articles
Using Stereolithography in Metal Fabricating
Rapid prototyping tests point to its uses and drawbacks.
Rapid Prototyping Comes to the Fabricating Industry
Form, fit, and function are the three key words defining the need for prototyping. With the advent of the various rapid prototyping machines, the need for fit and form has been fulfilled. The problem has been in function. Until now. using the proper application, we have succeeded in building complete functional models and prototypes using SLA. Included in this article are several examples of rapid prototyping successes and results from experiments conducted to perfect this science.
SLA Uses in Molding for Rapid Prototyping
As recent at three years ago, the experts were saying that injection molds made of stereolithography materials would never hold up. Today, the question is no longer if SLA is a passing fad, but rather who can produce the best product the fastest. We performed complex experiments to help best produce a wide variety of part designs, use a wide variety of materials, generate the greatest number of shots in the shortest period of time and offer clients the lowest price. This article includes the results.
Here Comes Rapid Tooling
Even in the early days of rapid prototyping, the long-term goal of practitioners was to generate real parts quickly, rather than just concept molds. Today, that goal is being realized. New materials and better processes let rapid prototyping machines fabricate rapid tooling with the level of quality required to produce parts. This article, reprinted from the July 23, 1998 issue of Machine Design, explains how this is happening.
Events
View highlights of the 10-year anniversary open house
