From: RP Solutions (rps@dircon.co.uk)
Date: Fri Nov 01 2002 - 21:53:57 EET
Hi RPers,
I have been working with Stratasys products now for many years, At RP
Solutions we run 2x1650's 1x2000 and 1x8000 with more on the way. I think I
can vouch for their ease of use, reliability and speed of build.
We have always had good service from Stratasys and their UK agents Laser
Lines Ltd.
The FDM technology has proved ideal for producing functional prototypes in
production materials and our customers are very pleased with the results.
Functional prototypes in ABS, Polycarbonate and PPS, what other RP system
can build all these?
Oliver Cole
Technical Director
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----RP Solutions Unit 20 Coventry Canal Warehouse Leicester Row, Coventry CV1 4LH
Tel: 02476 632 120 Fax: 02476 632 131
www.rp-solutions.co.uk
----- Original Message ----- From: "Kirk Brown" <kirkb@goengineer.com> To: "'RPML www Mail List'" <rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi> Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 6:36 PM Subject: RE: Stratasys Super Slow? -I don't think so-
> I have been running a Stratasys machine of some sort since 1998. I also > owned a Sanders Model Maker for a while as well. Once in a while I sub out > work to be done on SLA's, SLS's, and Z-Corp Machines. When my machine isn't > busy and I sub something out to another company, I will build the same part > on my machine just to compare the quality/differences of the parts. In the > last 4 years I have never had a company spit out a part on another RP system > before me (no I don't want to race you). Also parts that an SLA house have > charged say $200 for, I only was charging $60 for. In most cases my > customers couldn't see why they should pay more (yes it depends on what the > project is and what the final prototypes needs to be). > > I am using one of the first Stratasys Prodigy systems ever built (serial > number 3, yes the third one sold) also I have never had my machine break > down! Maintenance costs on the machine so far have been $0 since I got the > machine in July of 2000. I think before the end of the year I will need to > purchase a couple light bulbs and a wiper blade and brush. Weekly I vacuum > out the build chamber, monthly I lube the rails and Z-platform screws. I > have made assemblies on my machine that were 36 x 14 x 10 which needed to be > cut into several pieces and printed, then bonded together with an epoxy, > which took about 1.5 weeks (the part was then put into an airplane to check > fit which it did I even have pictures). The same thing on an SLA machine > was quoted out at a higher price and was going to take longer (yes I don't > know what kind of system it was quoted on, nor do I care, I won the bid). > > The clean-up on the parts isn't too bad, I have a few tools, pliers, > tweezers, sandpapers, and dental tools. The machine makes no mess, doesn't > smell (like an SLA machine does), and it makes me money. I cannot say 1 bad > word about my Stratasys machine, go ahead and ask me anything about it. > > Stratasys Slow? I don't think so. I don't have a propeller on my hat, so I > have never calculated how much material my machine puts out a day, the > machine kicks ass and I love it, yes its just that simple. Yes I have had > people come to me that needed a prototype made 'like yesterday' and my > machine couldn't do it just by me snapping my finger, but really if someone > doesn't know how to plan out there engineering projects that's their fault > (if engineers really worked 8 hours a day this wouldn't happen). > > Yes comparing machines is apples and oranges, many threads on this list are > started just so someone can flame a competitive machine. Nobody has made a > machine that can do everything and make everyone happy, and nobody ever will > accomplish that. > > How fast does a machine need to be? Once someone makes a machine that's > 'fast' it won't be fast enough for someone. Once someone makes a machine > that does 'everything' it won't do enough for someone else. > > So in summary of this very, very long email, where I stand is this: For me, > Stratasys is fast, reliable, easy to use/maintain, and is very reliable (did > I already say that?). > > Kirk Brown > GoEngineer > 1990 S. Milestone Dr. Suite A > Salt Lake City, Utah 84104 > Direct 801.428.0839 > Phone 801.359.6100 > Fax 801.359.6169 > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi [mailto:owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi]On > Behalf Of Scott Tilton > Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 9:54 AM > To: 'Miller, Michael W'; 'RPML www Mail List' > Subject: RE: Stratasys Super Slow? > > > Interesting method of quantifying output. > > Mass? > > So why don't you switch to Glass Filled material for SLS. > Then you can increase your output by . . let's see . .how much more dense is > it . . . 40% > > 1.4KG per day. > > > Seriously though, I would love to hear more people's input on the FDM's > capabilities and speed. (or lack there of) > > > Scott Tilton > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Miller, Michael W [mailto:michael.w.miller@boeing.com] > Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 11:10 AM > To: 'RPML www Mail List' > Subject: Stratasys Super Slow? > > Judging from the banter going round on Stratasys' quarterly results, the > main complaint about their product seems to be speed. Just how slow is the > FDM process? As comparison, I usually figure my old sla500's can kick out > roughly 2 kg per day, an sla250 maybe a half kg per day, and an sls2000 > maybe 1 kg per day. Any other gripes regarding FDM? .... reliability? .... > maintenance? ....cost? What about the positive aspects? Thanks for > your input! > > > Disclaimer: Engineer and out the other! > Experience is something you get right after you need it. > Michael W Miller (michael.w.miller@boeing.com) 206-655-3289 > The Boeing Company M/C 45-17 66-ZA-2320 > Rapid Product Manufacturing 655-4366 Lab 655-4365 > > > > >
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