Dear Ken, Johnny, Marshall, et al:
Regarding the demand for large RP parts...
As many of you are already aware of, Rocketdyne's primary focus
during the last few years has been near net shape fabrication using
various metals. The reference Marshall made to the Rockwell DMF process
is exactly right. Rocketdyne was a Rockwell company until one year ago
when Rockwell Aerospace was purchased by Boeing. Since the corporate
"split", we have duplicated our RP lab at the Rockwell Sciece Center to
pursue commercializing this process. Rocketdyne is continuing
development of metal parts for use in extreme environments (rocket
engines). Although this is exciting work, I think the most applications
will be from the commercial market.
Size:
As soon as we produced sheet metal forming dies in 1996, the
question of size came up. Everybody involved with the initial
development wants larger parts, however this process is still in it's
infancy and much development is still required.
We have, and are looking at the feasability using RP for large
(metal) parts in the area of several feet. The limiting factor(s) will
be 1) funding (always a limiting factor) 2) handling of the parts during
various processing stages, and 3) dimensional control.
> Ken Richardson wrote:
>
> What is the market for "large" parts?
> What would these parts be used for?
> What materials do people want for large parts?
> What tolerances are desired on large parts?
> What is the market willing to pay for "large" parts?
> How large of part production is realistic (forgetting machine
> limitations, looking only at customer desires)?
>
> I would be curious to hear of any specific examples of your large RP
> part deisres.
>
> Thank you in advance for any information / insights you can share.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Ken Richardson
> ED&A / M CUBED
> 1000 Johnnie Dodds #103-352
> Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
> USA
> (803) 856-4644
> Fax (803) 856-9334
> richardk@internetx.net
>
>
>
> Spielman, Roger L wrote:
>
> > > Bram:
> > >
> > You may want to investigate the auto manufacturers. Those
> > folks
> > use large 5 axis cnc mills to shape the side of a car body. We in
> the
> >
> > Aerospace community have a great interest in a larger RP system,
> > although none of the "standard" companies (ie 3D, DTM, etc) are
> > actively
> > pursuing this avenue. No doubt this will be an expensive
> development,
> >
> > but it seems like the market may demand larger capabilities in
> future
> > use.
> >
> > Please let us (the list) know what you find!
> >
> > Roger Spielman
> > Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power Systems
> > The Boeing Co.
> >
> > > I wonder how many of you are dealing with really LARGE
> prototypes,
> > > say 1 x 1 x 2 meters. Some of the discussions went about milling,
> > > which has of course the possibility of handling large volumes.
> > >
> > > -what is the working principle
> > > -what kind of rough material do they use
> > > -where can I find more information.
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > > Very curious,
> > > Bram
> > >
> > > @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
> > > Bram de Smit
> > > Delft University of Technology
> > > Sub faculty of Industrial Design Engineering
> > > Jaffalaan 9, NL-2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
> > > Phone +31 15 2783788 Fax +31 15 2787316
> > > E-mail A.deSmit@IO.TUDelft.NL
> > > www.io.tudelft.nl/research/ica/
> > > @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
> > >
> >
> > For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
>
>
>
For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
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