Somos® WaterShed® AF

Somos® WaterShed® AF - Clear SLA Material for Investment Casting and Prototypes

Technical Overview

Somos® WaterShed® AF is a multi-purpose stereolithography resin that delivers high clarity, accuracy, and stability. Developed specifically for investment casting workflows, its key differentiator is an antimony-free formulation that results in a clean burnout with minimal, easily removable ash residue. This ensures higher quality mold production and reduces the risk of imperfections in the final casted metal parts, including those made from nickel-based superalloys and titanium.

Performance for Demanding Applications

This material provides reliable performance where precision is critical. With low moisture absorption, parts printed in WaterShed AF maintain excellent dimensional stability, ensuring that patterns and prototypes hold their form and accuracy throughout handling and processing. The resulting parts are strong and rigid, suitable for functional testing and creating defined manufacturing aids.

Design and Processing Efficiency

Parts printed with WaterShed® AF exhibit a smooth surface finish directly from the 3D printer, significantly reducing the need for manual post-processing and finishing steps. The resin's low viscosity allows for rapid draining, which speeds up build times and minimizes material waste. Its processing and performance characteristics are similar to the well-regarded Somos® WaterShed XC 11122, providing a familiar workflow for existing users.

Lifecycle: From Prototype to Production Tooling

WaterShed® AF is a versatile material that supports the entire product development lifecycle. It is ideal for creating detailed, functional prototypes for design verification and fit checks. For production, it excels at producing reliable, accurate, and complex investment casting patterns that accelerate the transition from digital design to finished metal components.