(no subject)

From: Brock Hinzmann (SRI  International)
To: André Dolenc (Helsinki University of Technology)
Date: Thursday, August 12, 1993
Forwarded to RP-ML
     I can see why 3D might not have liked the idea of maximizing use of machines. Still, they have come out 
with the Quickcast concept, for making metal castings by "lost wax/lost foam" method, where the 
stereolithography model is the "wax/foam." The concept is very similar in practice tot he original Soligen 
concept. I wonder if they are not seeing the writing on the wall. I made a private prediction last spring that 3D will be out of business in ten years. They have to find their niche to fill, because their technology is inherently limited to the use of photosensitive polymers. The path DTM is taking is, I think, more viable in the long term. Also, Stratasys has some greater potential flexibility, either through inexpensive desktop machines or greater material selection (any thermoplastic material). Helisys is looking to expand from paper into ceramics. Cubital is trying to take advantage of the ability to interrupt the process and place components in the model to make heterogeneous models. In other words, each of the major vendors is looking for that niche. I think I'll use this for one of my newsletters! badger.