Re: Thin Layers

From: Allan Lightman (University of Dayton)
To: RP-ML
Date: Sunday, January 22, 1995
Subject: Re: Thin Layers
I recall seeing the IMS part built by D-MEC (Japan).  It appeared to have no 
layer structure visible, indicating that the layers were probably on the 
order of 25 microns (0.001").  Dick Aubin, UTRC, had the technical details 
and he may be able to provide specifications.  They use a unidirectional 
wiper adjusted to the wetting angle for the material.  As a result, the 
wiping action is more akin to to a silkscreen printer rather than the doctor 
blade most of us use.  At the appropriate angle, the material can be pulled thin, getting consistent layers by adjusting the speed of the blade.  When I 
saw it in operation, the physical appearance of the new layer looked like a 
gossamer film spread over the base.  D-MEC remarked that the build time 
increased so much that use of this capability was time prohibitive except in 
very special circumstances (such as building the IMS part to a finish no one 
else could match).

Allan Lightman