Compression forming using RP

From: Neal Vail (DaimlerChrysler  AG)
To: RP-ML
Date: Sunday, May 7, 1995
Subject: Compression forming using RP
Recently I read a posting from someone looking for a suitable RP process  
to make female patterns for plastics forming under pressure.  I don't  
remember the details or who sent it.

Nonetheless, it appeared very similar to a process developed at Mercedes- 
Benz two years ago.  In that process they used both LOM and SLA to  
fabricate pattern blocks for the forming of metal sheets using  
hydrodynamic pressure on the order of 30000psi.  The example I saw used 1- 
2 mm steel sheet which was formed using the RP patterns and then cut to  
tolerence using precision laser cutting.  The fabricated object was used  
directly on assembly line automobiles.

I don't have the publication handy right now, but it mentioned that LOM  
parts held up quite well in this application.  I've spoken first hand with  
the persons who did this work who indicated both LOM and SLA worked well.   
No detailed analysis of accuracy with respect to deformation of the RP  
patterns was done, however.

If you would like a copy of the paper let me know.  It does not contain  
detailed information as it was written and presented by the director of  
research at Daimler.

Tschuss
Neal Vail, DaimlerBenz Forschungszentrum