[ From: Al Hastbacka * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
In looking at some segments of the RP market, it looks as if a multiple
material RP system would be very useful. For example, RP systems that could
produce models/patterns containing both a polymer and a metal, or a ceramic
and a metal.
How useful do you think this type of capability would be to your
applications?
Regards,
Al Hastbacka
AL:
There's several ways to look at multiple material RP processes. One way is
where you mix them together into a sort of alloy-like combination. Another
way is to use the multiple materials separately such as using metal for a
certain portion of the part/pattern and a polymer for a different section.
Or you could use a combination of the above two methods.
As long as the accuracy and large model capability was there, I think this
would be a useful capability, especially to make models or patterns more
durable and/or for specific surface characteristics such as a teflon-like
surface for better part or tool release while using a metal matrix for
rigidity and durability. Perhaps a strong, rigid metal base could be made
as part of the process with a polymer material used for the mold cavity
(replaceable insert) that would nest into the metal base with easily
removable supports.
Regards,
Glenn Whiteside
Cessna Aircraft Company
e-mail: siderwhite@worldnet.att.net
For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
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