Antw.:Multiple Build materials

From: Juergen Bauer (University of Bremen)
Date: Monday, July 25, 1994

From: Juergen Bauer (University of Bremen)
To: Chuck Kirschman (Clemson  University)
Cc: RP-ML
Date: Monday, July 25, 1994
Subject: Antw.:Multiple Build materials
Chuck Kirschman wrote:
>I guess the far end of this discussion is a "machining center", where we
>have a CNC mill and the capaility to move into an RP center.  Here we
>could automatically build just about anything, using the additive and
>subtractive processes jointly.
     When I am correctly informed, the current approach of the MD* - process  is very much like this. Ask 
Prof. Fritz Prinz from Carnegie Mellon for  more details; he is on the rp-mailing list, too (greetings !). His 
email  address is fbp@andrew.cmu.edu
     Generally, your remark reveals a basic question about RP techniques  compared to classic  
manufacturing techniques. I see the three main reasons for applicacion of RPT in:
1. Nearly automated manufacuring out of CAD-Geometry "on a keystroke",  without manual selection of 
tools, toolpaths layouts, fixtures, etc.
2. Freeform manufacturing, nearly unlimitated shapes are manufacturable.
3. RPT is free from cutting forces.
     So, it would be no question wether to use RPT or not, if machinery  working after "classical" principles behave RPT-like.  The first clue to this would be CAM- systems with yet unseen automation  capabilities, to generate the toolpaths and machine & robot control codes   "on a keystroke", as mentioned. The second is an integrated system incorporating machine tool, robot  technology and sensorbased self-adaptive control, setting up only very  little restriction to the shape manufacturable and replacing expensive  fixturing. The third issue is, that a force-free manufacturing is only necessary in  some cases. For Rapid Tooling, where very durable dies & moulds are to  build, it is not. On the other hand, well-known techniques like  flame-cutting, waterjet- cutting and laser - cutting are forcefree, too. Imagine a workstation that automatically laser-cuts and assembles  3D-structures out of a stiff sheet material by robot technology - this  should not be so far apart, because all basic technologies are available.
     ;-) In contrast, I admit that such processes, combining and optimising  known technology, are not so 
well suited as a "trojan horse" to bring new  ways of cooperative work and organisational structures to 
existing  companies.
     This is a private opinion - I would be interested if you think I am right  or wrong.
Juergen


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