Hi All,
I got the following question from one of RPers. I would like to share the answer with all:
----- Begin Included Message -----
>From gt0658a@prism.gatech.edu Wed Jun 25 12:50 PDT 1997
From: Trouble (CML) <gt0658a@prism.gatech.edu>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: New Rapid Prototyping Technique/USC PRESS RELEASE] (fwd)
To: majida (majid aghababazadeh)
What do you mean 'lays out the material'? How does this system really
work? Why does it give better adhesive properties than the FDM?
Thanks
Charity M. Lynn
Graduate Research Assitant
Georgia Institute of Technology
gt0658a@prism.gatech.edu
----- End Included Message -----
Answer:
The Stratasys machine basically consists of a tiny nuzzle which is moved around the certain paths generated by Stratasys CAM system. The molten ABS (Or other materials) is coming out of the nuzzle and without so much pressure on the top of the previous layer, the new layer will be extruded. Once this happens because of the materials property, (mostly memory and shape of the nuzzle), material intends to shape as a tube laid horozantally. Again the next layer on the top of this will behave the same, so the contact points are less. Also the new layer is not pressed on the top of the previous one. So there is not so much heat exchange between the molten layer and the previous one which is now solidified.
In CC there is not only a nuzzle, which can have drastically big opening, there is a trowel with two sides. The vertical one is called side trowel and the horizontal one is called top trowel and the nuzzle is actually at the top trowel. Once you put a layer, it will solidify. The next layer will be extruded between the top trowel and the previous layer and there is a real heat exchange and fluid pressure in that area. The side trowel will also guarantee a limit on the outer side of the part for a surface quality.
This information is based on my own experience using the both systems.
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