I am convinced that RP can be used for manufacturing. I have already
shown that we can use the existing RP processes to economically
manufacture plastic parts in lots of several thousand or more.
For more information refer to my paper at SME conf. this year. Also see
the paper presented there by Norma Jean Iveson.
You might also want to speak to Eli Sachs or Mike Cima at MIT as the 3D
Printing process is now being used to manufacture tablets in millions!
Within ten years or so we will have a range of machines which will be
capable of producing end use parts in quantities from 1 to millions.
Its just a question of effort and changing our thinking from prototyping
to manufacturing.
Prof. Phill Dickens
De Montfort University
Leicester
kmtakita@knowledgefoundation.com wrote:
>
> I am currently researching a possible meeting to explore whether rapid
> prototyping technologies can be used as actual production/manufacturing
> technologies (kind of like in Toy Soldiers!). Do you know of anyone who is
> currently utilizing RP in this way who might be willing to speak with me
> about their experiences?
>
> I'd also welcome anyone's opinion on the matter, in particular, whether or
> not you think that there is/will be any inherent benefits in choosing RP
> over other production methods. From what I've heard so far, there seems to
> be a long way to go...
>
> 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/
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Tue Jun 05 2001 - 22:46:11 EEST