Re: New RP-Processes

From: Brock Hinzmann (SRI  International)
To: Hans Mueller (University of Bremen), RP-ML
Date: Sunday, November 7, 1993
Subject: Re: New RP-Processes
     I was asked to evaluate a rapid prototyping concept from Rockwell two years ago. The proposal was most similar to the Helisys system, but instead of paper or ceramic tape, the Rockwell machine would cut patterns in prepreg and stack them. Also, instead of laser cutting, the proposal was to use a CNC ultrasonic cutting machine. The proposal also mention that a precuring process might make it possible to include metallic parts.
     The person listed by the Rockwell patent office as the innovator was Edwin D. Wolff, living at that time in Van Nuys, California. Wolff recommended using 2 1/2-dimension prepreg weaves, in order to give the parts greater integrity in the z direction than straight fiber would. The ultrasonic cutting machine suggested by the proposal (by inclusion of a magazine advertisement) was to be similar to one from American GFM, Chesapeake, Virginia, 804-487-2442, although it was not listed as the required machine. 
     I have heard nothing about the proposal since and do not know who is actually pursuing it, if it is the same technology. I have a call in with an Ed Wolff in Van Nuys, where the phone message refers to a company called Artistic Concepts. It may not be the correct person. I'll let you know if I can turn up anything else. In the meantime, I would like to see any references you have turned up. 
     I'm not sure about your second reference to 3-D braiding. If it is a rapid prototyping machine, that would be new to me, too, but if you are just talking about 3-d braiding of composites, that process has been around many years and you should be able to obtain many references from a standard literature search.
Brock Hinzmann
Director, TechMonitoring
SRI International