1998, WOW!

We wish to thank all of our customers, old and new, who helped Vista complete another tremendous year. 1998 was an exciting year for Vista! With triple digit growth and R&D remaining a top priority, Vista was a dynamic place to be. In 1999, Vista will continue to strive to "Exceed your Expectations". Customer Service, quality and new technologies will remain our key focus.

Rapid Prototyping Notes:
Bigger, Biggest, Best

We are pleased to announce our addition of the biggest and best, the SLA 5000. The work envelope is 20" x 20" x 23". The SLA 5000 is the top of the line from 3D Systems.

The machine is the fastest and largest machine offered by 3D systems. Standard on the machine are the solid state laser, which eliminates the expensive bulb changes and the expensive to operate a chiller, the zephyr recoating system which allows the manufacturing of all different shaped geometries, and the single phase 220V power source which reduces the operating costs of the machine.

Some of the long-term benefits are the fact that since the SLA 5000 is the flagship of the 3D Systems stereolithography machines, their newest advancements in machines and resins will be tailored to fit this machine. This means that you, the customer, will benefit from having the state-of-the-art technological advances available to you, through Vista.

Our SLA machine population is similar to Callaway's big Bertha: Big, Bigger, and Biggest. We started with the two SLA 250's with a 10" cube work envelope then we acquired the bigger SLA 3500 with its 14" cube work envelope, and now the biggest SLA 5000.

Our assortment of SLA machines gives us the flexibility to serve you better. With four machines we have a better chance to get your job running faster, and we can take the time to use the best part orientation. We can choose the machine that fits your part best and can give you the best per piece part.

We would welcome your visit to see the latest in technology. As a side note, the SLA 5000 was featured in the opening sequences of the movie "Small Soldiers." Look for it in the videos.

Rapid Manufacturing Notes:
Using SLA Patterns for Prototype Castings

SLA prototypes have long been a leader for form and fit in evaluating a model. Coincidentally it is these two characteristics that assist in the development of a prototype suitable for function. Distinct detail and a high level finish from a SLA prototype make it a perfect casting pattern.

Casting alloys of aluminum, zinc or magnesium can be done to give you a form, fit and function prototype with die cast-like results. There are two methods to achieve this result - plaster casting and Quick Cast. This article features plaster casting. We will discuss the Quick Cast method in a future Navigator. Vista Technologies uses both methods depending on the application.

When hard tooling is still somewhere down the line, when die cast-like appearance and durability is desired, plaster or ceramic molding is your answer. Generally a silicone rubber is used to produce a negative mold of your SLA pattern. Then urethane is cast into this mold to create a positive part. It is this urethane part which the plaster or ceramic is poured onto that makes your final mold for metal casting. This extra step to produce a urethane positive of the part desired is done because the urethane part is more accepting to multiple plaster or ceramic castings.



Metal cast parts can be accomplished in 7-10 days. Complex parting lines typically are not a problem. Best results occur when the part desired does not exceed an 18" x 18" x 6" envelope, although larger parts can be produced. Adding shrink to the production of your SLA model will improve your cast parts tolerance. You can expect tolerances of +/- .007" for the first inch and +/- .003" for each inch after that. Wall thickness typically produced varies from .050" to .500", but finer or thicker walls can be done.

Once the part is removed from the mold the part is ground and buffed to a smooth finish. Secondary operations are also quite common to achieve even finer detail in regard to holes and other critical areas.

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No Weekend for Vista

Vista has increased their work days from five to seven. Vista is now open 7 days a week! This change has been installed to make rapid prototyping more rapid and more convenient. With the use of electronic media such as E-mail, modem and ftp, files can be sent and nearly completed over the weekend with no time lost.

This is just one more method that Vista is fitting into your work schedule. Just a reminder, if you do send a file, please attach a name and number where you can be reached if any questions arise.

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CHARGE!

To make it easier for some of you to purchase from Vista, we have added the ability to take payments via charge cards. As of September, you may now call and place your orders using either VISA or MasterCard. To use the credit card we need the following information: which card, the credit card number, name on the card, and the expiration date.

Quick Quips
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." - General George Patton

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Latest Publications

Vista's R&D efforts are being noticed. Two national magazines, Machine Design and the Fabricator, chose Vista's research to publish.

The Fabricator article has attracted international attention. This article highlighting Vista's groundbreaking research of using SLA tools to fabricate metal has been republished in France, China, and Japan.

The reprints are available; please call and we will send them to you, or find them on our web site.

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