Jan,
We have utilized the Z-Corp 3D printer for more that a year now with
very high reliability. My measurement (statement) is based on the uptime of
the machine. At times we have relentlessly ran the machine without problems.
The machine can make parts 24 hrs a day - the problems is: the machine has
never taken 24hrs to build a part and it is difficult to keep up with the
machine especially if you build lots of parts. For our first year, we have
had greater than 45% return on investment with implementation of this
machine!
Like most machine manufacturers, you can purchase an annual
maintenance contract. I believe Z-Corp's contract is 6k! Materials costs
depend on the type of builds you prefer. The Z-Corp material costs (IMHO) is
cheaper than most other RP technologies. Actual material usage costs can
also vary depending on the recycling of powder.
Hope this helps!!
Jim Pike
Sturm Inc.
Product Development
Jim.Pike@Sturm.Sulzerpumps.com
1-800-624-3485
-----Original Message-----
From: j.gunnink@ind.tno.nl [mailto:j.gunnink@ind.tno.nl]
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 8:37 AM
To: rp-ml@bart.lpt.fi
Subject: Reliability of a ZCORP 3D-printer
Dear RP friends,
Can someone share his or her experiences with the reliability of a ZCORP
3D-Printer? I like to know how many hours of the 24 hours in a day it can
make parts. Also information regarding maintenance costs/year and material
costs are more then welcome!
Many many many thanks in advance
Jan Willem
PS: A summary of your response on CAD-CAM systems that can handle STl-files
will be posted next week. Thanks in advance!
Jan Willem Gunnink
Project Manager
TNO Industrial Technology
Production Development Division
Department of Industrial Prototyping
P.O.Box 5073
2600 GB Delft
The Netherlands
Tel:+31-15-2608747 Fax:+31-15-2608725
E-mail: j.gunnink@ind.tno.nl <mailto:j.gunnink@ind.tno.nl>
This E-mail is printed with 100% recycabel pixels.
Visit us at:
http://www.ind.tno.nl/en/productiondevelopment/prototyping/index.html
<http://www.ind.tno.nl/en/productiondevelopment/prototyping/index.html>
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 - 23:04:26 EEST