The Future of Rapid Prototyping Questionnaire : An Update.

From: C.Jelley (C.Jelley@cranfield.ac.uk)
Date: Wed Jan 15 1997 - 13:41:02 EET


Hello All,

Many thanks to those of you who kindly responded to the questionnaire
I dispatched a month ago. The response rate has been fairly good
(around 60%) and I am currently collating and analysing the data. If you
happened to miss the opportunity to reply I have included the
questionnaire at the bottom of this mail message. If you would like to
respond please do so as quickly as possible (as I hope to have the results
posted up in around four weeks!!) to MY email address please.......

                (c.jelley@cranfield.ac.uk).

On a different matter.....

I am currently trying to produce a table which charts the
prices of the various RP technologies over the last ten years (or less,
depending on the technology). I currently have a chart with *some* values
in there. Has anyone already performed this task? Could anyone (RP
vendors, equipment suppliers, equipment users etc..) supply me
with any information (i.e. hard facts, hear say, relevant references)? As
always, could you send the data directly to me and I will compile the list
and post it in the near future for public scrutiny and derision!!

Bye.

Chris Jelley
Research Engineer.

**************************************************************************
         THE FUTURE OF RAPID PROTOTYPING : A QUESTIONNAIRE.
**************************************************************************
Name :

Job Title:

1: Please Identify the group(s) to which you belong by placing an X.

        RP User [ ]

        RP Machine Vendor/Developer [ ]
        
        Industrial User [ ]
        
        Academic/Research User [ ]
        
        RP Service Provider [ ]

        RP Material Developer [ ]

        Software Vendor / Developer [ ]

        Other (please specify) ..

2: Which of the following RP technologies are you most familiar with:

        stereolithography [ ]

        Fused Deposition Modeling [ ]

        Laminated Object Manufacturing [ ]

        Sintering [ ]

        Inkjet Technology [ ]

        Other (Please specify)...

3: How long have you been involved in RP technologies ?

        8yrs or more [ ]

        4-8 yrs [ ]

        2-4 yrs [ ]

        1-2 yrs [ ]

        Less than 1yr [ ]

4: Based on your opinion please rank the following technologies from 1-6
   (1 = best, 3 = average, 6 = worst)

        technology Accuracy Build Speed
        -------------------------------------------------------------
        Stereolithography
        
        Fused deposition

        Laminated object man.

        Sintering

        Inkjet

        Other
        ---------------------------------------------------------------

5: Based on your opinion please rank the same technologies from 1-6 on
   their cost performance. (1= best 3= average 6 = worst)

   technology Initial cost of investment operating costs
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stereolithography
        
    Fused deposition

    Laminated object man.

    Sintering

    Inkjet

    Other
   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

6: Please give your opinion on the following statements.
   (1= strongly agree, 2= agree, 3= neither agree nor disagree, 4=disagree
    5= strongly disagree)

a: Stereolithography is the best RP Technology currently available.
        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

b: Stereolithography apparatus is the current industry standard to which
   all other technologies must aim in terms of speed of process and
   accuracy of models.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

c: Current stereolithography Apparatus is easy to use.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

d: Models produced by stereolithography are expensive compared to other
   RP technologies.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

e: It is the final characteristics and function of the model which
   determine the selection of the RP technology.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

f: The initial cost of investment in RP is prohibitive to all but large
   companies.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

g: As the RP industry matures the cost of the technology to buy will
   reduce.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

h: The future of RP lies in the direct tooling market rather than with
   the production of models for design verification.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

i: Stereolithography is a mature technology with little or no scope left
   for development.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

j: Stereolithography will still be the market leader in ten years.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

k: The selection of which RP technology is best suited for a particular
   application is an easy decision.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

l: Stereolithography will still be able to compete with other
   powder-based direct metal producing technologies in the future as
   each technology develops.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

m: The new 'concept-modelers' will eventually overtake the more
   established technologies in terms of product sales.

        1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ]

7: What developments would you like to see in the RP industry over the
   next ten years?
   Please rank in order of importance. (1=very important, 5 = not
important)

        Lower cost machines..............................[ ]

        High speed machines..............................[ ]

        Greater accuracy.................................[ ]

        Wider choice of materials........................[ ]

        The standardization of the technologies..........[ ]

        The broadening of the product range..............[ ]

        Elimination of the post-curing step..............[ ]

        Improved material properties.....................[ ]

        Direct Production of metals......................[ ]

        3D Printers......................................[ ]

        Greater repeatability............................[ ]

        'One-button' operation...........................[ ]

8: Any other comments reagarding the future development of the RP
industry and the place stereolithography has within this future?

=======================================================================================================
Thank you very much for your time. I will notify you of the results as
soon as all the responses have been collated.

Christopher Jelley
Research Engineer.
**************************************************************************
*********** Christopher Jelley *******************************************
*********** Applied Mathematics and Computing Group.**********************
*********** Department of Fluid Engineering and Instrumentation **********
*********** School of Mechanical Engineering *****************************
*********** Cranfield University *****************************************
*********** Cranfield, Bedfordshire **************************************
*********** MK43 0AL. UK *************************************************
**************************************************************************



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