To List.
The AAROFLEX Solid Imager as well as the Teijin Seiki Soliform Stereolithography
machines slice on the fly and have for years. Both machines provide a simulation
run to detect any errors which can be repaired in the part file before
fabrication. The simulation also provides build time data based upon the
particular settings. Originally, this required the fabrication machine to be
dedicated to the fabrication process, but today we can fabricate in the
background while performing other task, such as preparing quotes on the same
machine.
ATiburon@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 99-12-21 06:18:09 EST, Makela@deskartes.fi writes:
>
> << To utilize the direct slicing fully we should use IGES/STEP etc.
> to transfer the data to the RP machine site and slice the
> surface model locally, according to the different needs of
> different RP machines. I believe this will be available in a
> couple of years. >>
> Slice on the fly as we would say. Actually, Helisys has been doing it for
> years now(not counting the connectivisation). The whole concept of slicing a
> file prior to running the model is an archaic paradigm. That was necessary
> when a hot rod puter was a 12 Mhz 286. But totally absurd as processor speeds
> approach 1GigaHertz. Orienting and supporting, should be done on the Cad
> model directly. Then the machine slices, not necessarily in fixed thickness I
> might add, as the part is built. Fockle and Schwartz did something similar
> using ProE models on their SLA, with help from Magics. Devotion to STL format
> is touching, but doesn't serve to progress the technology. I forgot to
> mention in the previous mail about fabricating optical devices. What would be
> a good chord height for building a functional set of bifocals, 10 micron,
> .005 micron? Or would a format that describes curves more effieciently be
> appropriate? What are the present RP machines capable of, as far as accuracy
> and surface finish? Who can say, thanks to STL you can only guess. The RP
> vendor that can produce the better finish and accuracy will have a
> competitive advantage. I would like to see an optional S/W module that could
> use the inhouse CAD model directly. Sort of like a post processor for CNC.
> One would buy the ony the ones needed. Catia, ProE, SDRC whatever. You could
> certainly use always STL in a pinch, but quality would suffer as it does now.
> Andy Scott
> Lockheed Martin Aero Sys
>
> 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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