Cadalyst - January/February 2009 - (Page 21) cadalystlabsreport Desktop Revolution One recent advance in 3D printing involves the evolution to desktop units. Among the vendors that believe the time is right for desktop RP machines is Objet Geometries, headquartered in Rehovot, Israel. The Objet Alaris30 debuted in October 2008. It measures 32” x 34” x 41” — approximately twice the size of a typical desktop ink-jet printer — weighs 183 lb and has a build area measuring nearly 12” x 8” x 6”. The machine is priced at less than $40,000. Also in October, 3D Systems announced the return of the V-Flash FTI 230 Desktop Modeler, priced at $9,900. At this price, the company hopes the machine will appeal not only to engineers and designers but also to hobbyists and students. “This affordable, easy-to-use and office-friendly 3D printer is the first product from 3D Systems based on its new Film Transfer Imaging (FTI) technology platform,” the company reported. The machine is designed to operate quietly and plug into a standard electrical outlet. The V-Flash FTI 230 re-enters the market after an April 2008 introduction led to the discovery of “several technical difficulties that affected the modeler’s performance” according to the company, and sales ceased. Julie Graham, 3D Systems communications specialist, explained, “We plan to continue with carefully managed, phased rollout plans through the first quarter of 2009 and, pending the successful outcome of this phase, commence full commercial activities for the V-Flash FTI 230 Desktop Modeler in early 2009.” The machine is expected to ship with Alibre Design, a familiar mid-range 3D mechanical CAD product. Undercutting V-Flash’s low price, Desktop Factory is planning to sell its premiere model, the 125ci, for less than $5,000 sometime this year. Although not yet available, the machine already has garnered headlines: “Printing 3D Gets Practical,” hailed BusinessWeek (October 6, 2008); “Desktop Factory’s Cheapo 3D Printer is Coming,” reported the technology blog Engadget (www.engadget.com). Cathy Lewis, Desktop Factory CEO, admitted, “We’re not here to be best in class. We’re here to bring awareness and accessibility to the market that we think has been way overpriced and way too complex for way too long.” Desktop Factory’s debut machine measures a mere 25” x 20” x 20” and weighs less than 90 lb. But some sacrifices are required for its compact form factor. Its build area is only 5” x 5” x 5”. Currently, it prints using only one rigid material. Color, transparent, and flexible options aren’t on the menu yet. Zebco Tackles Prototyping Tasks with Ease Popular fishing gear manufacturer Zebco has a 50-year reputation for creating innovative products, and it was no stranger to rapid prototyping. But a growing need to produce more reliable and realistic models led the company to explore 3D printing. “Our team was much more limited in our design and engineering capabilities because we hadn’t yet found the right rapid prototyping solution,” said model maker Brad Ruprecht. After exploring other alternatives such as stereolithography, Zebco considered Objet’s Eden line and was impressed by the resolution quality and smooth surfaces of printed models. The Eden 3D printer was quickly integrated into a range of development applications, including cosmetic samples, form and engineering models, and urethane casting masters. Design changes now are faster and models are more realistic. Replicating carbon-fiber trim, for example, no longer involves the painting and graphic dry transfers that had less-thanauthentic results. Now, the design team uses the Objet system to create a compression mold to develop the actual carbon fiber parts, producing a realistic prototype in a few quick steps. To create the Quantum fishing reel prototype (featured on the cover and on p. 18), Ruprecht first produced the parts on the 3D printer, which required about 8 hours of machine time. Finishing the models required another two days of hand work — one day to sand, prime, paint, and chrome the parts and a second day to assemble. Ruprecht’s work results in such realistic models that Zebco sales representatives take them to meetings with retailers when actual manufactured samples are not yet available. “Ninety percent of the time, customers can’t tell the difference,” he said. Read the full story at www.cadalyst.com/3DPapps. From Prototypes to Functional Parts In 2005, recognizing the emerging market for printing functional parts, 3D printer developer Stratasys launched a new business unit initially called RedEye RPM and later renamed RedEye On Demand. The new division is a service bureau that produces not just January/February 2009 cadalyst www.cadalyst.com Newcomer Desktop Factory plans a 2009 release for its 125ci 3D printer, priced at less than $5,000. 21 http://www.cadalyst.com/3DPapps http://www.engadget.com http://www.cadalyst.com
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