Laser Reproductions (Gahanna, Ohio) has joined with stereolithography resin producer DSM Somos (Elgin, Ill.) and metal plating expert RePliForm Inc. (Baltimore, Md.) to offer Metal Clad Composite (MC2) prototypes, which merge two technologies to deliver metal performance without machining. The prototyping process forms a part from high-strength Somos stereolithography resin and adds RePliForm nickel plating to produce a highly stiffened composite with significantly enhanced physical properties. The resulting prototypes reportedly can replace those machined from aluminum, zinc and magnesium in both prototyping and low-volume production applications at a cost savings as great as 90 percent.