desktop opinions

From: Elaine Hunt (Clemson  University)
To: RP-ML
Date: Wednesday, October 5, 1994
Subject: desktop  opinions
A reader asks:
>Elaine, have you seen any parts generated from BPM?  If so, what type of
>quality can the achieve.  And if you're familiar with Sanders Prototyping
>technology, how do the two compare?  I would appreciate any comments or
>thoughts you have on either of these technologies.  Thanx.

     I have parts from BPM, Sanders Prototyping and Stratasys.
     When BPM releases its beta machines early next year, they should provide an interesting method to the RP world.  Still an infant but as a mother would say, "Ain't it beautiful". Call Pete Petrunich at 803  297-7700.
     I  often stated my very high regards for the Sanders machine.  I compare it to the first IBM-PC I installed way back in early1980s.  Still not weaned yet but growing strong and very loveable!! May soon lead the RP pack.              Call Rolf Hubert  603-654-6100.
     Have not seen machine or parts from IBM's system, but as a PC-AT hacker  I expect quality in both machine and software.  Heard rumors to confirm my suspicion.  Gestating?
     Stratasys has listened to users and now has one of the best user interfaces, if not the best. The grad students here were VERY impressed with the machine and software. The expanding material selection they offer make them a definite in the RP world.   Very alive, responsive and maturing very well, indeed.
     One of the most interesting parts to cross my desk is a ceramic part from Lone Peak Engineering,
Draper UT 801-553-1732.  It was made on the Helisys machine using a ceramic tape. Talk about non-traditional  users and they get TOP prize.  The Helisys machine is a sleeper but in the hands of a devotee does  beautiful impressive parts.  I want one for home so I can explore unlimited possiblities!!

     A side note:   Kumar Chalesanti, a former CU student and now Stratasys employee, laid the foundation of our slicing applications.  It was his work that developed into the adaptive slicing software.  We lay building blocks for our students and our foundations have been laid with very strong work.  Kumar(slicing), Chuck(support generation and software), Theirry (composites and materials), Franck( milling applications), and Tata( adaptive slicing) have not only given our facility many user tools but the research was and is shared by the entire user community.  There are many others that I will not bore you with but have equally contributed to our building blocks and are currently working at RP developers and users around the world.