DSM Somos®, a world leader in the development of advanced stereolithography (SL) materials today announced USP Class VI approval for their WaterShed® XC 11122 resin-a clear, water-resistant material already widely used in the medical device industry. The classification officially approves the resin for use in a wide range of biomedical or skin contact applications.

Developing advanced biocompatible SL resins for the medical industry is becoming increasingly important. According to Wohler's Report 2008, the medical/dental industry is the third largest industry for additive manufacturing after consumer products/electronics and automotive, but growing at a faster rate than either.

"Due to its functional properties and high dimensional stability, WaterShed XC has already been widely used in the medical industry for prototyping clear medical device housings and fluid flow analysis models," says DSM Somos Product Manager Brian Bauman. "The new USP Class VI approval now opens up new applications, including prototypes to be used in clinical trials."

Introduced by DSM Somos in 2007, WaterShed XC has quickly become the best-selling clear SL resin on the market, with its winning combination of clarity, durability and high dimensional stability. By adding the biocompatibility component, medical design engineers now have a way to produce exceptional ABS-like prototypes that are USP Class VI approved.