The Keter Plastics Digital Prototyping Center, in memory of Sami Sagol, works as a practical research hub for industry, aiming to advance and optimize manufacturing systems through design prototyping. The lab facilitates the creation of physical three-dimensional prototypes, using a variety of techniques, with data obtained directly from CAD files. The models are produced with specialized 3D printers, using an additive manufacturing method – whereby the material is added layer by layer on top of itself, thus creating an object of the original size or desired scale.

Research of rapid prototyping is one of the most significant challenges facing practical research in the academic world, and is the basis for manufacturing, optimization and flexibility in the context of a pluralistic consumer society. Herein lies the importance of the center, which benefits from a wealth of academic information on digital design, provided through the proximity to Shenkar's faculties of Engineering and Design. Among the center’s research focuses are: implementation of electromechanical systems, understanding chemical processes, and utilization of a variety of technologies in the design processes. Furthermore, the Digital Prototyping Center allows Shenkar to take part in governmental and international research programs, which integrate the needs of the local industry with the global exchange of trade and technological know-how. 

Since 2013, the center has operated six advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as an advanced digital scanning tool, making it a significant research center for the local industry, as well as for the advancement and optimization of the production systems. 

The foundation of the center was aided by numerous parties, headed by Sami Sagol - one of the owners of Keter Plastics and a member of Shenkar's Board of Governors. The Digital Prototyping Center has a Shenkar-based advisory committee that includes Prof. Yuli Tamir, Adv. Dror Kave, Mr. Yoav Ziv, Prof. Shraga Kirschner, Prof. Smuel Kenig and Dr. Amnon Dekel. 

The Digital Prototyping Center has a number of technologies at its disposal: 

• Polyjet printer - Objet30 Pro, which offers high-quality, high-speed printing to produce models with small and intricate details.
• FDM printer - uPrint, which offers medium-quality high-speed printing, to produce models with mechanical durability.
• SLA printers – Formlabs, which offer very high-quality, low-speed printing, to produce models with small and intricate details out of a variety of materials.
• SLA printer - DWS 028, offering very high-quality, low-speed printing of low durability models, suited for use as preparation for wax casting.
• CNC mill - RolandDG MDX 560, offering a high-quality production and low-speed work process for manufacturing relatively large objects.
• Laser cutting - VLS6.60 Universal, offering very high-speed and relatively high-quality cutting of two-dimensional objects only.
• In addition, various departments have Flashforge Creator Pro printers based on FMD technology.

The printers are at the disposal of the students in select courses and are used to create models for further development and design process.  

For further details, please contact:

• Telephone: 03-6110055
• Management and instruction: Mr. Yaniv Elmaliah.