Rapid Prototyping Mentor in The Woodlands, Texas

[SKAHT]

Rapid Prototyping Mentor in The Woodlands, Texas, willing to share how it works. We mainly use a Dimension 3D printer to create parts in ABS palstic.
Anyone interested let me know at scottv@dserapid.com
thanks,
Scott

[cut more]

SKAHT,
I am not in your area, I am on the east coast but I am interested in how the rapid prototyping works. Any pictures or info would be greatly appreciated. I would like to make a rapid prototyper like the one on fab@home.
Thank you,
Cutmore

[SKAHT]

HEY CUTMORE,

WE HAVE A 'DIMENSION' 1200 SST MACHINE FROM STRATASYS. IT MAKES PARTS WITH ABS PLASTIC, ONE LAYER AT A TIME AND FROM THE TABLE UPWARD. OUR WORK ENVELOPE IS 10'' X 10'' X 12'' TALL.

WE START WITH A 3D SOLID DRAWING IN CAD (I'M USING ALIBRE DESIGN EXPERT) AND THEN EXPORT THAT FILE AS A HIGH RESOLUTION STL FILE.
IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CAME WITH THE PRINTER (CATALYST EX) I BRING IN THE STL FILE. I POSITION THE PART ON A VIRTUAL WORK TABLE AND REORIENT IT IF NEED BE. WHEN IT'S READY I PROCESS THE PART. THAT MEANS THE SOFTWARE SLICES THE PART INTO .010'' LAYERS, ALONG WITH A BASE OF SUPPORT MATERIAL. I THEN SEND THE INFO TO THE PRINTER.
I WALK OVER AND PRESS THE START BUTTON AND THE PRINT SESSION BEGINS.

THE 3D PRINTER IS BASICALLY LIKE A CNC MILL, EXCEPT WE ADD MATERIAL NOT SUBTRACT IT. ANOTHER DIFFERENCE IS WE CAN PRODUCE ORGANIC AND COMPLEX SHAPES THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MILL. WE CAN MAKE PARTS INSIDE OF PARTS TOO.

WHEN THE PRINTER IS WORKING, IT IS EXTRUDING A SEMI-MOLTEN PLASTIC IN PRECISE LAYERS AND PATTERNS. IT CAN EXTRUDE ABOUT 1 CUBIC INCH OF PLASTICE AN HOUR. SO IF A PART IS LARGE IT MAY TAKE HALF A DAY OR LONGER TO PRODUCE. IT'S PRETTY COOL TO WATCH, BUT I'D SWEAR IT GOES SLOWER WHEN I WATCH IT TOO LONG.

WE HAVE A BASIC WEB SITE WITH A BIT MORE INFO AND FURTHER CONTACT IF YOU NEED. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW.
REGARDS,
SCOTT

DSERAPID.COM
SCOTTV@DSERAPID.COM

[cut more]

Scott,
Thanks for the info. I was wondering how thin can you print? I am interested in finding out if you were to try printing something like a sheet of paper standing up how thin the part could be.
Thanks for your help.
Eric

[SKAHT]

I probably wouldn't print a part thinner than .040'' to .050''. Even with the strength of the ABS plastic, very thin parts can break. i've found that people like to bend and twist parts.

I forgot to mention that i did look at the fab@home site. The machine is way cool. The only problem they area going to have is laying down the material.
Going from a liquid state to a solid in a matter of seconds or less, and having it stick and keep its shape, will be a major challenge.

Scott

[cut more]

Scott,
Thanks for the reply,
You say you wouldn't print thinner than .040" but how thin is the machine physically capable of printing? What are the limiting factors?

I checked out fab@home too. There is a link to another site (reprap)where they have made a plastic extruder and have made a part for their fabber with it.
How much work do you guys have? How long have you been doing rapid prototyping?
Sorry for all the questions but rapid prototyping is fascinating.
Eric