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Rapid Design through Virtual and Physical Prototyping

Rapid Manufacturing -- Commercial Systems

LAYERED SYSTEMS

• 3D Systems: Stereolythography (SLA) http://www.3dsystems.com/
  Stereolithography is the liquid-based rapid prototyping technology. The Apparatus solidifies a CAD model from an acrylic polymer resin which catalyzes (hardens) when exposed to ultraviolet light. (Valencia, CA)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp32.htm
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/jacobs1.html
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/gargiulo.html
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/SYSTEMS/explanation.html
  Article http://www.cs.hut.fi/~ado/rp/subsection3_6_1.html#SECTION0006100000000000000

• CMET Inc. (Mitsubishi): Solid Object Ultraviolet Laser Plotter (SOUP)
  This system also uses similar technology to the StereoLithography Apparatus. Laser lithography is used to build a model in a vat of photocurable resin. (Mtiac)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp392.htm

• D-MEC Ltd.(JSR/SONY): Solid Creation System (SCS)
  This system uses similar technology used by 3D Systems' StereoLithography Apparatus, but has the ability to build larger parts. The largest system has a build area of 40 x 32 x 20 in. (Mtiac)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp3911.htm

• TEIJIN SEIKI Co.,Ltd.: SOMOS/Soliform
  This system is similar to SLA but differs in the photopolymer used and the laser system. The material is a white, low shrinkage, proprietary resin with properties similar to silicon rubber. (Mtiac)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp391.htm

• Electro Optical Systems (EOS) of Munich: Stereos
  This system is similar to SLA but these systems employ either helium-cadmium or argon lasers, and feature the ability to interchange vats for use of multiple resins. (Mtiac)
  See also:
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/cabrera.html
  Article http://itri.loyola.edu/rp/p1_eos.htm
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp394.htm

• MITSUI ZOSEN Corporation: Computer Operated Laser Active Modeling (COLAMM) http://www.aska.or.jp/hzst/index.html
  The machine works similarly to StereoLithography, but builds parts from top to bottom. The photopolymer resin is exposed to light from below, through a transparent substrate. (Mtiac)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp393.htm

• DENKEN ENGINEERING Co.,LTD.: (SLP) http://www.coara.or.jp/~dkslp/my.html
  
  See also:
  Company Info http://www.coara.or.jp/~dkslp/slp.htm

• USHIO Inc.: UNIRAPID

• MEIKO Corporation: (MEIKO)

• Light Sculpting: Design-Controlled Automated Fabrication
  This process builds prototypes layer by layer by exposing liquid polymer to ultraviolet light through a photomask. An entire layer is solidified simultaneously. (Milwaukee, WI)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp39.htm

• BLZ & EOS: Laser Ablation
  In contrast to material deposition methodologies, laser ablation is a material removal process. It can be used to sink cavities into metal or ceramic stock in a downward, layer-by-layer fashion. (Blz)
  See also:
  Company Info http://itri.loyola.edu/rp/p1_blz.htm

• Cubital: Solid Ground Curing (SGC) http://www.iquest.net/cubital/
  This method which is a physical imaging technology used to produce accurate, durable prototypes. Models are built in a solid environment, eliminating curling, warping, support structures, and any need for final curing. (Troy MI).
  See also:
  Article http://itri.loyola.edu/rp/p1_cubit.htm
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp33.htm
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/levi.html
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/SYSTEMS/explanation.html
  Article http://www.cs.hut.fi/~ado/rp/subsection3_6_2.html
  Company Info http://www.iquest.net/cubital/sgc.html

• Helysis: Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) http://helisys.com/
  In the Helisys process, layers of sheet materials such as paper, plastics, or composites are attached to a stack, and the laser cuts away the unused portions. (Torrance, CA)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp36.htm
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/bowman.html
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/SYSTEMS/explanation.html
  Article http://www.cs.hut.fi/~ado/rp/subsection3_6_4.html#SECTION0006400000000000000
  Company Info http://helisys.com/lomtech.htm

• Schroff: Shape Maker I (JP System 5) http://www.JPSYSTEM5.com/
  The prototypes made with the JP System 5 are constructed from a series of cross sections or "slices" that have been cut from a material. The actual slices are created from a computer model that represents the design or component desired. (Mission, Kansas)
  See also:
  Company Info http://www.JPSYSTEM5.com/pages/jpbuild.htm

• KIRA Corporation: Solid Center (Plain Paper LOM) http://itri.loyola.edu/rp/kira_mv.htm
  It uses a process called Selective Adhesive and Hot Press Process (SAHP). The SAHP process is based on the photocopy process combined with a hot press. (Kira Corp.)
  See also:
  Company Info http://itri.loyola.edu/rp/p2_kira.htm#tkira_2

• CAM-LEM, Inc: CAM-LEM http://dora.eeap.cwru.edu/camlem/camlem.html
  In this process individual slices are laser cut from sheet stock of engineering material (such as "green" ceramic tape) per the computed contours. The resulting part-slice regions are extracted from the sheet stock and stacked to assemble a physical 3-D realization of the original CAD description. (Cam-Lem)
  See also:
  Company Info http://dora.eeap.cwru.edu/camlem/camproc.html

• Sparx
  Sparx AB has a rapid prototyping system similar to the Laminated Object Manufacturing technology developed by Helisys. It is currently the least expensive commercial system but does require a considerable amount of operator assistance. It consists of a flat-bed plotter equipped with a heated cutting electrode and a mounting fixture. (Molndal, Sweden)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp38.htm

• Ceramic Composites, Inc. http://www.tatnet.com/rappro.html
  Ceramic Composites, Inc. is involved in the development of two rapid prototyping technologies for direct fabrication of ceramic and metal components. One is a photopolymer-based rapid prototyping technique and the other is the laminated object manufacturing (LOM) process. The overall goal of these projects is to rapidly fabricate functional components directly from a CAD drawing using the materials of choice.
  See also:
  Company Info http://www.tatnet.com/stl.html
  Company Info http://www.tatnet.com/lom.html

• Scale Models Unlimited: LaserCAMM
  This process consists of cutting layers of material (plasctics, wood, cartboard,paper,fabrics, ruber and more), and then stacking them up to form prototypes. The unit has a laser as a cutting tool mounted on a x-y plotter.
  See also:
  Article http://www.kron.com/nc4/use/stories/scale.html

SINTERING SYSTEMS

• DTM Corp.: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) http://www.dtm-corp.com/
  Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) +++ DTM Corporation manufactures the Sinterstation(r) 2000. The Sinterstation 2000 is a rapid prototyping machine that uses the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology. (Austin, TX)
  See also:
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/nutt.html
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp34.htm
  Article http://www.cs.hut.fi/~ado/rp/subsection3_6_3.html#SECTION0006300000000000000

• Formus: Topographic Shell Fabrication (TSF) http://www.agathon.com/formus.htm
  The process addresses the needs of manufacturers of LARGE objects, who in the past have been forced to use slow and/or expensive methods, such as "by hand" and NC milling. (Formus)
  See also:
  Company Info http://www.agathon.com/acls.htm#case

DEPSITION SYSTEMS

• Stratasys: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) http://www.stratasys.com/
  Stratasys is the manufacturer and supplier of the FDM1600, a fast, safe, precise rapid prototyping system. The FDM1600 employs the patented Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process to generate three dimensional prototypes from 3D CAD software data in an engineering environment, right at the CAD workstation. Stratasys also provides QuickSlice and SupportWorks software for its FDM1600 and the material to produce models. (Eden Prarie, MN)
  See also:
  Article http://mtiac.hq.iitri.com/MTIAC/pubs/rp/rp35.htm
  Article http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/aero/rapid/PROCEEDING/crump.html
  Company Info http://www.stratasys.com/TECH.HTML

• Sanders Prototype: 3D Plotting
  Sanders Prototype, Inc. (SPI) desktop modeling technology introduces improvements to inkjet printer technology that enables the fabrication of solid models with excellent dimensional tolerance and smooth surface finish. The Model Maker System produces thermoplastic models in a timely manner and allows the designer to visualize new products, validate and alter designs, and obtain inexpensive, functional prototypes through molding and casting suppliers. (Wilton, NH)
  See also:
  Company Info http://www.sanders-prototype.com/techdesc.htm

• BPM Technology: Ballistic Particle Manufacturing (BPM) http://www.3dprint.com/
  BPM Technology, Inc. uses CAD-generated three-dimensional solid model data to direct streams of material (waxes, plastics, photocurable polymers, ceramics, or metals) at a target, building three-dimensional objects in much the same manner an ink jet printer produces two-dimensional images. An object is built by a three-axis robotic system controlling a piezoelectric ink-jet mechanism "shooting" particles of the material, producing multiple cross sections, onto a target. (Greenville, SC)
  See also:
  Company Info http://www.partsnow.com/about/05.shtml

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