Re: [rp-ml] Am I dreaming?

Hi Ian and Tim,

You are both correct. See the following email from August 2005.

Regards,

Terry

************
Terry Wohlers
Wohlers Associates, Inc.
OakRidge Business Park
1511 River Oak Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 USA
970-225-0086
Fax 970-225-2027
tw@wohlersassociates.com
http://wohlersassociates.com

----- Original Message -----

From: Terry Wohlers

To: RP-ML

Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 7:19 AM

Subject: Re: [rp-ml] A public survey on terminology

Many interesting thoughts and ideas have been voiced. Thanks to Marshall for starting this thread.

Long term, I truly believe that "3D printing" will prevail as the generic term of choice. Why? It's simple, descriptive, and easy to say.

In the future, one or more inexpensive 3D printers will popularize additive fabrication technology. The product name(s) will be used more frequently than "3D printing," but sometimes, they will be used together. A friend might ask, "What's that?" The response: "It's a PlasticJet 3D printer."

In the short term, 3D printer will continue to mean what it means to many people today: A relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use, and office friendly additive process that fabricates models and prototype parts.

Another reason I feel strongly about the use of "3D printer" is this: There's strength in numbers. Last year, an estimated 1,970 3D printers were sold, according to Wohlers Report 2005. This is up 90.9% from 2003. During the same period, an estimated 996 non-3D printers were sold. Over time, 3D printers will represent an even higher percentage.

In the meantime, I agree that an umbrella term is needed to describe machines that produce parts additively. "Rapid prototyping" has been used for more than 15 years, but it is misleading, especially now that the technology has expanded into so many non-prototyping applications. Whichever umbrella term one decides to use, I believe it will be temporary.

I've been using "additive fabrication" because it accurately describes the technology and it works well. Do I like it? Well, it's okay, despite the eight syllables and its technical nature. I like it better than the alternatives. I prefer the sound of "additive manufacturing," but it becomes messy when used in conjunction with "rapid manufacturing," an application that will continue to grow in popularity.

There's no right or wrong way to handle the problem that has been discussed here. I do agree that some terms are better than others. What's most important is that we communicate what we mean and not leave anything to chance. "RP" as a catchall term has served its purpose, but its time for retirement, except when referring to prototyping applications. I've been working at it for most of this year, but it's not been easy when almost everyone else continues to use it.

Regards,

Terry

************
Terry Wohlers
Wohlers Associates, Inc.
OakRidge Business Park
1511 River Oak Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 USA
970-225-0086
Fax 970-225-2027
tw@wohlersassociates.com
http://wohlersassociates.com

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Ian Gibson
  To: rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
  Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 5:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [rp-ml] Am I dreaming?

  Marshall

  My recollection is that Terry considered this to
  be a stop-gap whilst the public get used to the term "3D Printing".

  "Additive Fabrication" was considered to be more
  descriptive, but not very catchy.

  IG

  At 21:37 06/06/2006, you wrote:
>Marshall and all,
>
>The change actually happened over a year ago. I
>remember Terry discussing the name change at his
>SME presentation in may 2005 if I remember
>correctly. In addition, the SME group is now
>called RTAM for Rapid Technologies and Additive Manufacturing.
>
>Thanks,
>Tim
>
>
>Tim Gornet Manager, RP Operations
>email: tim.gornet@louisville.edu
>Rapid Prototyping Center
> Vogt Bldg. Rm 101, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292
>Phone: (502)852-0714 FAX: (502)852-8890
>http://www.louisville.edu/speed/rpc/
>
> >>> "Baran M. Dag" <anatolian79@gmail.com> 6/6/2006 7:51:03 AM >>>
>been a watcher for a long time, this is my first message to the group.
>
>hello and thanks to everyone for this great list ...
>
>i am so excited!!!
>
>is it finally the day, that we are defining our "rapid" world?
>is our world of rapid technologies evolving so fast and we already took the
>next step without even knowing it!
>
>pleasure ...
>
>
>Baran M. Dag
>3ileri - 3forward
>
>On 6/6/06, Andrea Reinhardt <andrea.reinhardt@microtec-d.com> wrote:
> >
> > additive fabrication = (incl. rapid manufacturing, rapid prototyping a.s.o
> > )
> > additive fabrication > rapid prototyping
> > or no precise definition at all?
> >
> > Best regards
> > Andrea
> > RM since 1996
> >
> >
> > -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> > Von: owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi [mailto:owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi] Im Auftrag
> > von Marshall Burns
> > Gesendet: Dienstag, 6. Juni 2006 08:20
> > An: rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
> > Betreff: [rp-ml] Am I dreaming?
> >
> >
> > Am I dreaming, or did I just get an e-mail from Terry Wohlers that says
> > "additive fabrication (also known as rapid prototyping)"? Does this mean
> > the
> > digital fabrication industry is finally outgrowing the constraining RP
> > moniker?
> >
> > Marshall Burns
> > www.fabbers.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
Received on Wed Jun 07 03:38:18 2006