(no subject)

From: Ian Gibson (University of Hong Kong)
To: RP-ML
Date: Monday, February 27, 1995
On Sun, 26 Feb 1995 00:42:03 -0800 (PST), M. Burns  <mburns@netcom.com> wrote:
>     I disagree. How can a machine capable of generating a 3-D solid
>object directly from computer data be overpriced at anything less than a
>million dollars? Look at the productivity gains that manufacturers using

You appear to be at odds with yourself Marshall. In some articles you say 
that everybody should have an RP machine in their home and now you say that the vendors should maintain their overinflated costing system. How can we 
expect anyone to treat them as anything but an expensive luxury until the 
costs come down to similar prices to those of other CNC machines?

Manufacturers in HK are generally uncreative, they only adopt technology 
when they see an obvious benefit. Neither are they impressed by their 
peers when they see them using RP. They tend to use RP when they are 
requested to by their Western parent companies. They benefit and suffer at 
the same time from geography. With China on the doorstep they have access 
to the largest single market in the world. They also have access to an 
extremely cheap labour source as well as the support of the Chinese 
government to supply them with technology and designs. However, this market 
is not particularly discerning and although increasing in their 
sophistication, is not exactly in the same league as other countries that 
demand this weeks model.

One might say that the recent copywrite dispute is an encouraging prospect 
from an RP point of view since it may encourage HK industry to be more 
creative.

These are my reasons for wanting to do an in-depth series of case studies. 
HK industry is just waking up to 3D CAD and RP. The information that is 
currently available is largely anecdotal, vendor oriented, 
technically oriented, and/or specific to the individual requirements of an 
industrial user. The choice of 3D CAD alone can be a bewildering prospect. 
If you are then considering RP it can be enough to stop you in your tracks.

You ask about the utilisation of machines in HK. 2 out of the 4 have quite 
a high profile. One will be used for training of graduate students, the 
other as part of a technology transfer centre. Both of these machines are 
very new and should be in operation by the summer. I am encouraged by their 
attitude but await results.

I dont think that the market is saturated, in fact my main concern is that 
these machines are being handled with kid gloves with industry being 'kept 
away from the coal face for their own good'. I would also like to see more 
diversity with something other than SLA being made available.

My final point relates to my case study approach. I would like to get 
something started. Is there anyone out there who would like to participate 
in a small experiment? If I create a small STL file would anyone like to 
FTP it across and build it for me? If successful then this will prove that 
I can get parts built outside HK. I cant afford bureau rates but I will 
cover any direct costs involved.

Sorry about this being a rather sprawling mailing, Ill try and keep things 
shorter in future.

Ian Gibson